What does it mean if I get two different pregnancy test results?

Generally speaking, home pregnancy tests are rarely incorrect. However, there are a few reasons why you may see different results on two different tests. 

False negative results (meaning you’re actually pregnant) usually happen when you take the test too soon. If you take the test before there are high enough levels of hormones in your system, the test may be negative...at first. That’s why it’s generally advised to wait to take a test until you’ve missed a period entirely or, at most, 3 weeks after sex.

False positive results (meaning you’re not actually pregnant) are super rare. Something called a chemical pregnancy happens when a fertilized egg sticks briefly enough to the uterus to cause elevated hormones in your body, but then the fertilized egg detaches and leaves your uterus via the cervix.

Another more common “false positive” result applies to the tests that have two lines (one is negative, two is positive). Sometimes when the urine sits on the stick and dries out it can slightly tint the second line. Ah!

When in doubt, take another test (or see your doc).