Home Pregnancy Tests

Question
How accurate are home pregnancy tests (HPTs)? I've had two positive HPTs but I am experiencing cramping. Is this normal? Could the test be wrong?

Answer
I would recommend asking your ob-gyn for the blood test known as a quantitative beta hCG. This is the most reliable pregnancy test. It is unusual for a urine test to be wrong, but occasionally it does occur.

As for the cramping, many women do complain of cramping in early pregnancy, similar to mild menstrual cramps. This is not unusual, and not anything to worry about.

Home pregnancy tests can sometimes show a negative result and you can still not get your period. There are many causes for missed periods. Commonly, this can occur secondary to problems with hormones.

The best thing to do is to visit your doctor and have an examination and blood test. The usual therapy will be to get hormone pills from your physician that contain progesterone. Most women will start their periods within several days of taking these pills.