If you’ve been trying to conceive (or thinking about it), you may have imagined what it would be like to get a positive pregnancy test. It looks like a clear dark line and you immediately want to celebrate.
But what if your moment doesn’t look like that? What if instead of a big clear line, you sort of have to squint and angle the test to see if there’s really a line there?
You might wonder what it means, and if you’re actually pregnant. Good news, we’ve got answers. Read on!
How to Take a Home Pregnancy Test
Before we talk about results, let’s go over how to properly take a pregnancy test. Because the only way to get accurate results is to make sure you are testing correctly. So before you go “pee on a stick” - here are some reminders:
- Check the expiration date before you open the packaging: Pregnancy tests do expire and they may not be accurate beyond the expiration date.
- Time of day matters: Most pregnancy tests recommend using “first morning urine” - meaning the first time you use the bathroom in the morning. This is because your first morning urine tends to be more concentrated since you haven’t been drinking lots of water as you might do during the day.
- Carefully read the instructions: Different brands have different instructions, so read the instructions that come with your test. For example, you may need to pee directly onto the testing stick or pee in a container and dip the test in it. The amount of pee to get on the test may also vary.
- Don’t mess with the test: Once you take the test, don’t carry it around with you, just let it sit on the counter.
- Don’t read your test beyond the testing window: After this time a faint line known as an evaporation line may appear. This can happen as the urine on the test dries and is not an indication of pregnancy.
- Keep your cycle day in mind: While you might have a hard time waiting, taking a test too early after ovulation may not give you an accurate result. If you’re testing early and get a negative result, wait a day or two and try again.
Interpreting the Results of a Home Pregnancy Test
When you take a home pregnancy test, you'll usually see two lines on the display : a control line and a test line. The control line is darker and shows that the test is working properly. The test line detects hCG , which is only present in large enough amounts to be detected on a pregnancy test when you are pregnant.
On a pregnancy test, the control line will appear first, which confirms that the test is working. If this line doesn't appear, it's best to throw the test away as it might not give accurate results.
The second line is the test line and will only appear if there's enough hCG in your body and in your pee to detect. Different tests might show results in different ways, such as a blue or pink line or a plus or minus sign. Make sure you read the instructions carefully to understand what you’re looking for.
Digital pregnancy tests don’t use the two line method. Instead, they display a message that says “pregnant” or “not pregnant.” Some people find these easier to use since they are not open to interpretation. Whichever test you choose to use comes down to personal preference.
What Does a Faint Line on a Pregnancy Test Look Like?
A faint line on a pregnancy test is just what it sounds like - a light line that's barely visible. A line that's supposed to be red may appear light pink, for example, and a line that is supposed to look blue if positive will be very light blue.
Possible Meanings of a Faint Line on a Pregnancy Test
You’re Pregnant
A faint line on a pregnancy test is often caused by low levels of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). A faint line may just mean that you are very early in pregnancy and there isn’t much pregnancy hormone in your body yet.
You’re Not Pregnant
If you look at your pregnancy test within the recommended time frame stated on the instructions for the test and see a faint positive line, you’re most likely pregnant.
However, if you’re looking at the test after the stated window of time, there is a chance you are seeing an evaporation line. An evaporation line can appear faint and typically has little color to it.
If you think you may be seeing an evaporation line, wait a day or two and retake the test, ideally with first morning urine. If you are pregnant, this will give your body additional time to produce more of the pregnancy hormone, which can result in a clear, undeniable positive line.
You Were Pregnant (early pregnancy loss)
In a developing pregnancy, the line on a pregnancy test would continue to get darker and appear more quickly as the level of hCG is increasing. If you continue to have a faint positive line for several days or weeks, you may have had a very early pregnancy loss, sometimes called a chemical pregnancy. This can feel devastating and confusing, so the best way to know for sure is to reach out to your healthcare practitioner for a blood test. Blood tests can show the level of hCG in your blood, and can track it over a period of several days to confirm whether or not it is increasing as expected.
In addition, if you take a home pregnancy test after a pregnancy loss, your test may still show a faint positive line. This is because your body likely has residual pregnancy hormones in its system.
What to do if There's a Faint Line on Your Pregnancy Test
Unclear pregnancy test results can make you feel like you’re in some kind of stressful but hopeful limbo. You want to be excited but you feel like you can’t yet.
The best thing to do if you see a faint line on your pregnancy test is to wait a day or two and take a second test, ideally with first morning urine.
If you keep seeing a very faint positive pregnancy test, it's a good idea to talk to your health care provider. They can do a blood test for hCG to understand what your levels look like, and if they are increasing as expected of a viable pregnancy.
How to Avoid Getting a Faint Line on Your Pregnancy Test
It isn’t always possible to avoid getting a faint line on your pregnancy test, but here are a few tips to help:
- Read (and follow) the instructions carefully.
- Store the test in a dry place. Warm or damp areas can affect reliability.
- Take the test first thing in the morning. This is when your hCG levels are more concentrated, so you're less likely to see a faint line.
- Only look at the results within the time frame specified to avoid seeing an evaporation line.
- Wait until 14 days post ovulation, or on the day of your missed period, to test. Many women want to test early so they can find out sooner, but the earlier you test, the more likely you are to have a faint line on a pregnancy test.
If you really don’t want to have any doubt and do not want a faint line, use a digital test. They tend to be more expensive but will clearly show the words “pregnant” or “not pregnant”.
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