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More about Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Pregnancy Test:
Definition Purpose Precautions Preparation Aftercare Risks Abnormal results Normal results Resources |
In most cases, a positive result is an indication of pregnancy. However, false positive results may also occur. If a pregnancy test is performed within a month or two of a recent birth or miscarriage, it is possible to test positive for pregnancy since hCG may still be detected in a woman's urine. Sometimes positive pregnancy tests provide clues of an early miscarriage that might have otherwise gone unrecognized because it occurred before or just after a missed period. An ectopic pregnancy (one in which an embryo implants outside the uterus), certain types of masses (such as an ovarian tumor or a hydatidiform mole), and the use of some fertility drugs that contain hCG are among other possibilities behind false positive results.
— Betty Mishkin
