Positive pregnancy test: photos, how to read and what to do

The pregnancy test is positive when the “+” sign, two lines or the word “pregnant” appears in the result field.

However, it is important to consult the obstetrician-gynecologist after the result to take a beta-HCG test, in order to confirm (or rule out) the possibility of pregnancy.

Pregnancy tests can be easily found in pharmacies and basic health units. They can be carried out from the first day of missed menstruation and work by detecting the hormone beta-HCG in the urine, which has an increased concentration in the case of pregnancy. See when to take the pregnancy test.

Photo of positive and negative result

How to read the positive result

The main ways to identify a positive pregnancy test are:

• Have two lines on the pharmacy exam: even if the two lines are not completely clear, the test is considered positive;
• “+” sign: it is indicative of pregnancy, since there was detection of circulating beta-HCG;
• Appearance of “pregnant”: In some tests, it is also possible to indicate the week of pregnancy that the woman is likely to be.

In the presence of a positive pregnancy test, it is recommended to carry out another pharmacy test to confirm the result and consult a gynecologist. The gynecologist will assess the woman’s general health and recommend a pregnancy blood test, which corresponds to the dosage of the beta-HCG hormone circulating in the blood, which is considered the most reliable pregnancy test.

Is it possible for the result to be a false positive?

A false positive result is very rare, however it can happen when the test is not used correctly or is out of date.

To ensure that the result is as correct as possible, you must follow all the manufacturer’s instructions, which are explained in the test leaflet. Understand better when you suspect a false positive pregnancy test.

How to confirm pregnancy

If the positive result was given through a pharmacy test, it may be interesting to repeat the test to confirm the pregnancy or perform a blood test to obtain a more accurate measurement of circulating beta-HCG levels.

Pregnancy is confirmed when the beta-HCG concentration exceeds 5 mlU/mL in the blood test. According to beta-HCG levels, it is also possible to know the week of pregnancy you are in. Find out more about the beta-HCG test.

After confirming the pregnancy, it is important to return to the consultation with the obstetrician-gynecologist so that it is possible to assess whether there are any risks related to the pregnancy and start prenatal care.

Beta-HCG calculator

Enter the beta-HCG test result into the calculator below to find out what week of pregnancy you are in: