Missed period, tender breasts, nausea, negative urine test – what gives?
Occasionally when women use home pregnancy urine tests, they see a negative result, but continue to have symptoms such as breast tenderness, nausea and vomiting. This can be caused by taking the test too soon or taking it incorrectly. A qualitative blood pregnancy test is far more sensitive and will detect hCG hormones sooner. Urine tests are not as sensitive and require a longer waiting time – after the first missed period – to be more accurate.
Qualitative vs. Quantitative
Qualitative pregnancy blood tests tell you if you are or are not pregnant. Quantitative blood pregnancy tests are typically used after the pregnancy has been confirmed. A quantitative test measures the amount of hCG in the blood. The hCG hormone raises during the first trimester and begins to level off at the second and third. A drop in hCG can indicate trouble with the pregnancy.
