How common are false positives?

[cocobutter]

I have name changed for this because some people I know in real life are on here....

My period, which is always always regular is now 6 days late. I tested negative using cheap superdrug tests on Monday and Tuesday. Is there a chance that these could be false negatives. Are any other tests more accurate?

I have no pregnancy symptoms other than popping ears which I am sure I didnt get until the end of my pregnancy with DS.

FWIW DH was away for most of last month so we only had sex twice and used a condom both times.

Does anybody have any experience of this??

False negatives do happen, but at 6 days late you would normally expect to have an accurate result (even with Superdrug tests!).

Your period may usually be regular but that doesn't mean it cannot be late. Were you stressed, travelling or ill around two weeks ago? Those things can delay ovulation which in turn delays your period.

You've had safe sex and have no symptoms (popping ears not being a basis for diagnosis ) so I reckon you are not pregnant.

Thank you for your reply Rancer

yes, I was travelling 2 weeks ago, took DCs on my own to meet DH, which in itself was stressful. The tests I took were at 2 and 3 days late though, does this have a bearing at all or are they generally reliable as soon as you are late?

I have booked a doctors appt for next week nonetheless.

I think you'd almost certainly get an accurate result at 2 days late.

I did once have a false negative, but that pregnancy was ectopic (ie hadn't impanted properly) and there were other indications that I was pregnant.

Like I say, some women do get false negatives when they are (viably) pregnant, but those cases are pretty rare. 6 days is not all that late and could easily be explained by stress/travel.

thanks again, you have really reassured me. I am so sorry to hear about your ectopic pregnancy. I hope you have/will have success in conceiving soon.

Thanks, but I already did (she's two later this year!).

Hope it turns out fine for you - sure it will.