If your 2nd pregnancy test upshot is lighter than the first one you took ane or two days before, you may be confused. This guide will walk you through what could be causing a pregnancy exam to go lighter.

Past OBGYN and fertility expert Dr. Kenosha Gleaton

The habitation pregnancy test has been a game changer for women. Earlier they were widely available at your local Target (and online !), women had to become to the dr. and get a blood test to confirm a pregnancy. Now that we tin take these amazing tests in the privacy of our own home, you may run into issues or have questions about the results. Don't worry, we're here to help! Today, allow's discuss what to do if your examination result looks lighter today than it did previously.

Should pregnancy test lines get darker?

In general, yes, pregnancy examination results should get darker early on as a pregnancy progresses. This is considering the pregnancy hormone, hCG, typically doubles every 2 to three days during the first few weeks of pregnancy. After six weeks, the levels will double about every four days. And towards the due date, hCG levels actually decrease.

If you are taking a pregnancy examination before the day of your expected menstruation, and are indeed significant, the line will start equally a faint line (a "squinter") and get darker equally time progresses.

Reasons why a pregnancy exam could exist getting lighter

With home pregnancy tests, you're likely to take questions about interpreting results as opposed to pregnancy tests washed at your medico's office. One of these questions with a domicile pregnancy examination is a light or faint line. 2 lines on our pregnancy test, no matter how faint, is a positive result. Only say you tested today and the line seems lighter than your exam from yesterday—don't panic. It could simply be that your urine was more diluted today, pregnant it was harder for the test to detect the hCG. Test again in the morning when the hCG should be virtually concentrated.

If you tested today and the line seems lighter than your examination from yesterday. Don't panic. It could simply be that your urine was more diluted.

If y'all test again over a few days or weeks and the line continues to get lighter or disappears, a couple of things could be happening:

  • If you tested with 2 brands that have varying levels of sensitivity, the results could await different. Effort using the same brand test and comparing tests within the same brands.
  • The kickoff result could have actually been an evaporation line, which is extremely frustrating. Learn more than about the difference between evaporation lines and faint positives.
  • It could be a chemical pregnancy. A chemical pregnancy is a very early miscarriage that occurs when an egg is fertilized, but does not fully implant into the uterus.

What if my pregnancy examination got lighter, simply still no bleeding?

If yous've missed a period and received a positive exam consequence, but the adjacent exam is lighter, information technology could be due to any of those things listed above. If your catamenia unremarkably comes like clockwork and you nonetheless don't come across Aunt Flow in a week, take another test (ideally in the morning). Of course, you should reach out to your dr. if you have any concerns.

What if I got a positive pregnancy test followed by my period?

It'southward important to differentiate if information technology is your menses or spotting.

Spotting after a positive pregnancy examination occurs in 15-20% of pregnancies in the start trimester.

Spotting (aka implantation bleeding) is much lighter than most periods and lasts for a mean solar day or two. Spotting happens when the fertilized egg causes a footling bit of lining to detach during implantation and is an early sign of pregnancy.

Getting your full catamenia after a positive pregnancy test, on the other hand, could potentially exist a chemic pregnancy. A chemical pregnancy is a very early miscarriage that occurs when an egg is fertilized merely does not fully implant into the uterus. The bleeding associated with a chemical pregnancy is typically like a period, but tin can exist heavier. If you examination again and the result is negative, this could be the case. If you are having a chemical pregnancy, continue this in mind: inquiry shows that women may be more than fertile following a chemical pregnancy.

If you are having a chemic pregnancy, keep this in listen: inquiry shows that women may be more fertile following a chemical pregnancy.

Acquire more than about chemical pregnancies.

Ectopic pregnancies

Information technology is rare, but haemorrhage in early pregnancy that is heavier and/or accompanied by intestinal hurting may indicate an ectopic pregnancy .

This is when an egg implants outside of the uterus, which can be life-threatening for a pregnant woman. In the instance of ectopic pregnancy , hCG levels may exist lower and/or ascent abnormally. If the home pregnancy exam is positive, simply you suspect it could exist an ectopic pregnancy, y'all will need to see your provider immediately for further blood testing or ultrasound to make the diagnosis.

Getting pregnant can exist a difficult and confusing process. We at Natalist are here to serve you during this time. Please don't hesitate to accomplish out if you lot take any questions.

What does an firsthand dark positive pregnancy test issue mean?

While it has been rumored that an immediate dark positive pregnancy test means twins , this is not necessarily the instance, and there are other reasons why this could happen. An firsthand dark positive result could hateful that at that place's a high concentration of hCG in your urine, and the exam is showing an firsthand dark effect due to the level of hCG. One thing to annotation is that all domicile pregnancy tests are different and may detect hCG at different levels. The Natalist Pregnancy Test detects hCG with high sensitivity at 10 mIU/mL hCG.

When trying to get pregnant , it as well helps to keep track of your menstrual bike and ovulation. Understanding how often and when to take sex during ovulation tin greatly increase your chances of pregnancy. An ovulation test tin can also be helpful in determining when ovulation happens so you tin programme intercourse accordingly.

The bottom line is if you notice a missed flow and/or end upwards taking an at- home pregnancy test , keep in mind that both faint positive lines and immediate dark lines are possible. If you are concerned about your test results, it may assist to track whatsoever pregnancy-like symptoms y'all may be experiencing and cheque with your doctor near questions.

Take-aways:

  • Pregnancy test results should get darker early on on as a pregnancy progresses.
  • If your pregnancy test results seem to exist getting lighter, it could exist because you tested after drinking water and your urine was more than diluted. Or, the first test result could have been an evaporation line and non a positive result. Test again in the morning.
  • Examination results can also await different if y'all are comparing results of two different brands of tests. We recommend sticking to one type of exam when testing early and comparing results over time.
  • A positive pregnancy test followed by lite bleeding could be spotting, a sign of implantation.
  • A positive pregnancy test followed past your menses (and a negative test) could be a chemic pregnancy. These early pregnancy losses don't usually crave medical intervention, only you should let your doctor know.
  • Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy can be abnormal vaginal bleeding, depression dorsum pain, and hurting in the abdomen or pelvis. If you have abnormal bleeding and pelvic pain, talk to your doctor immediately.