When you're trying to get pregnant, it's heartbreaking take one pregnancy test after another and have them all show negative results. Did you know that you can get a negative pregnancy test result and you might actually be pregnant? Keep reading to find out the reasons why a false negative pregnancy test result might happen. That negative result may not be an accurate negative result. 

The Basics of Getting Pregnant

Before you test, you need to have a basic understanding of what leads up to a positive pregnancy test. If you have a period every 28 days, this would be the basic timeline of your cycle:

1. Your period starts (Day 1)
2. You ovulate (Around Day 14)
3. Conception occurs if you timed things right, and luck was on your side. (Around day 14 or 15)
4. Implantation occurs, and hCG starts rising. (Typically between 6 and 12 days after ovulation)
5. A pregnancy test may show a "You're Pregnant!" result. (2 to 3 days after implantation)
6. Your period starts if you are not pregnant.

You will only get a positive result if the hCG (pregnancy hormone) levels are high enough.

Reasons Why a False Negative Pregnancy Test Might Occur

A false negative is when you take a pregnancy test get a negative result but are pregnant. There are a few well-known reasons why false negative pregnancy tests can occur:

Taking a Pregnancy Test Too Early

If you don't know when you ovulated or when your next period is due, it's easy to test too early. You will also end up with a false negative pregnancy test result if implantation occurred later than you, though. If the concentration of hCG in your body is too low, a pregnancy test will show a negative outcome. Pay attention to the sensitivity of the pregnancy test that you're using, especially if you're testing before your period is due to start. Tests that require an hCG concentration of 25 mIU can be used 4 to 5 days before a period is due. Tests that detect a higher hCG level (50 to 100 mIU) might not be able to detect pregnancy until after your period was scheduled to start. To ensure your pregnancy test result is accurate, it's advisable to wait until after your period doesn't arrive to take a pregnancy test.

Improper Technique

Errors in technique while testing can be another common cause of false negative results. You could get invalid false negative results if you didn't dip the home pregnancy tests according to the instructions. When using a midstream test, it is easy to under saturate the test. Both of these issues can result in negative results, even if you are pregnant. Take another test, following the instructions.

Delayed Reaction Time

When it comes to pregnancy tests, timing is everything. Each brand of pregnancy test will have a specific reaction time. You need to read the test within that time frame. If you don't, your results have to be considered inaccurate. Many women will see a negative result and then come back later and see a faint line. In cases like this, you still have to consider the result a negative because you didn't read the test in the time frame the instructions state. As a result, you might have false negative results even if you are pregnant. You will have to test again.

Using Diluted Urine

At the early stages of your pregnancy, you will have minimal levels of hCG in your urine. Adding liquid to your system has the potential to dilute the concentration of hCG in your urine. When this happens, some pregnancy tests won't accurately detect the pregnancy. If you test first thing in the morning, you should have concentrated urine. At the very early stages of your pregnancy, women love testing multiple times throughout the day. Due to diluted urine, this could cause some stressful confusion. Don't freak out if you have been eating and drinking as usual and get a negative result. You might have just diluted your urine to a "non-positive" level. Wait and test again in the morning, or don't drink anything for several hours and then retake a test. At home pregnancy tests can be a challenge. If you take a test and get a negative result, it's best to wait a few days before testing again. A negative result can mean three things. It can mean that you aren't pregnant, you took the pregnancy test too early, or you took the test incorrectly. If you keep getting positive and then negative results, you should visit your doctor for a blood pregnancy test.