Taking an at-home pregnancy test kit can be exciting. You may have been planning a baby for some time and are just praying for those two lines to appear. As the result appears you think you can see a faint positive. But if only you could look a little closer, does taking a pregnancy test apart make it invalid you may be thinking?
Does Taking a Pregnancy Test Apart Make it Invalid Is The Question?
Taking a pregnancy test apart does makes it invalid.
Whether you are praying for a positive result or not there are certain rules that need to be followed. If you took a pregnancy test apart due to a faint line then the test can become void and actually give you the wrong result. A change in the testing strip environment can cause you to gain a false positive.
Why Would I Take a Pregnancy Test Apart?
Getting pregnant for some women is the biggest dream of their lives, making a whole new person that is half of you and your partner seems to be the only thing on your mind. You may have heard the term “line eyes” . This is when women who have tested feel biased against the result they see.
Many times you can call line eyes as you are wishing a positive result to appear. This is when you could be considering taking a pregnancy test apart.
A missed period raises the suspected pregnancy flag for all us women even if you haven’t actively been trying to cast your mind back to your previous period, was it normal? Did it last? Needless to say we may be faced with taking a test at some point and the results can be confusing.
How Do Pregnancy Tests Work?
There are so many brands of home pregnancy kits, you could opt for the expensive branded ones with digital displays or choose a strip dip test that is less expensive. No matter which you choose you need to test by their individual instructions.
The tests will indicate a positive result if the hormone HCG is present in your urine. Now as simple as this sounds there can be so many factors that alter the process of your result.
‣ HCG levels
Your pregnancy can be detected providing your HCG levels are high enough for the test to detect. With many declaring you can test up to days before a missed period, it is super important to understand that whether you test on day one or day 10 of a missed period your positive result will only appear when this hormone triggers the reaction.
It is known that some women have received negative results whilst they are in fact pregnant, if you suspect you are missing a period then wait a few days before retesting.
‣ Testing time
Many tests require a time frame for them to work. Usually, you have to wait anywhere from 2 minutes to 5 minutes. Having a sneaky peek too early can give you a false positive. Seeing two lines before the indicated time shows the test is working and not that you are pregnant.
At-home kits are super sensitive, mixed with your emotions you could decide that taking a test apart to get a closer look is the only way to be totally sure your result is correct.
Reading Results On a Test
Reading pregnancy test results should be straightforward but many women who have taken these tests over and over to be faced with the same old negative result can be heart wrenching.
Our bodies and minds are so powerful we may be feeling those pregnancy symptoms which is why so many of us think if we could look at the test in a different light would the result change? Can I get a closer look without the result window?
Desperation over a test result can make us feel as if the only thing in the world that matters is getting that positive result but if you are asking yourself ‘Does taking a pregnancy test apart make it invalid?’
The answer would be yes! Opening your test will expose it to the air meaning that urine can evaporate quicker leaving what some women may think is a positive result when in fact it is an evaporation line.
What is an Evaporation Line?
Evaporation lines can play a cruel trick on women. Allowing them to believe they could be carrying a baby when in fact they are not, is downright wrong!
Manufacturers cannot guarantee that evaporation lines won’t appear as it is a chemical reaction so it is important you know what to look out for.
- A line present in the testing window that is colorless
- A test that has given a negative result during the time frame which has later changed to a positive (note that the line will still be colorless)
Causes of an Invalid Result
A test will only give a valid response if taken according to the instructions.
Testing with sanitized hands ensuring that you do not touch the tip should, in theory, provide you with a valid result be it positive or negative. Making sure your testing strip is in date and has been stored properly is key.
You should see a bold line in the control window which indicates the test is working.
- A pregnancy test taken apart will give an invalid result even though the control line may be present.
- Opening the test too early before you use it.
- Not using enough urine to detect a result.
- Not waiting long enough before reading your result – two lines can appear as the test is working.
- Waiting too long before reading the result can cause evaporation lines giving you what looks like a positive test result.
Avoiding Pregnancy Test Errors
When I suspected I was pregnant I decided to run off my initiative and test before my missed period. This is not always a great idea as your body may not be producing enough HCG to detect.
‣ Timing the Result
To avoid errors you need to understand how to take the test. As many manufacturers have different waiting times you need to ensure you only look at the result when you are supposed to, remember those early peaks may not pay off.
‣ Believe Your Eyes
I have mentioned line eyes, well I didn’t believe that this was a thing until I had them. Looking at that result thinking you can see a faint positive is mind-blowing. Especially if you are desperate for it to be positive.
If you are not sure then retest using a different brand or wait a few days before testing again. HCG doubles every day so the positive should be clearer the longer you wait.
‣ Instructions
All testing kits can work in a similar way and if you have been trying for a while you may feel like testing is a normal routine but it is imperative you follow the directions on the brand you are using down to the final dot. Even the slightest user error can make a test invalid or give a false result.
Taking a Test
To take a test you should follow the below procedure:
- Check the expiration date on the test.
- Expose the absorbent part only when you are ready to test.
- Insert the test into your urine whether it is midstream or in a clean container.
- Ensure the test has had enough urine for it to work.
- Recap and leave to sit horizontally before timing your result window.
Following the above routine will ensure you have completed the test correctly. Many women prefer taking their tests during their first morning wee. As disgusting as it sounds, your urine is at the highest concentrated levels meaning that tests may be able to detect the HCG hormone easier.
What Do I Do If I Have an Invalid Result?
As frustrating as invalid test results are, you should always discard the test immediately. You can always take another testing kit or try another brand. As mentioned some tests are known to be more sensitive than others.
Test when your urine is most concentrated and avoid drinking a lot of liquids beforehand. Providing you follow the instructions you should be able to identify a result.
If you still suspect you are pregnant whether it’s the presence of symptoms or a missed period your doctor can suggest blood tests to identify if your body is producing HCG.
Wrapping Up
To answer the question, Does taking a pregnancy test apart make it invalid? The answer would be yes.
No matter how desperate you are to see those all-important lines, is it worth giving yourself false hope with an invalid response?
Remember testing first thing in the morning whilst following the instructions will give you the true indication of what is present in your urine.
If you have had a negative result and still missed your period you could try testing again in a few days if you still suspect you are pregnant then seek medical advice as there are different ways of testing for the pregnancy hormone.
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