When it comes to pregnancy tests, receiving a faint line can be nerve-wracking. In an effort to provide accuracy and trustworthy results, CVS Health has released its own line of pregnancy tests known for their reliability and efficiency. These tests are designed to provide a clear yes or no answer in the form of a colored line, but sometimes a faint line can appear, leaving many unsure of the results. If you’ve taken a test and received a faint line, this post is for you. Here you’ll find information about CVS Health’s pregnancy tests, what a faint line means and how to interpret your results. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of the CVS pregnancy test and how to move forward.
What To Do if You Get a Faint Line Pregnancy Test
Here are some things you can do if your pregnancy test shows a faint result:
It’s an Evap Line
There is always a chance that you could get an evaporation line, also known as an evap or an indent line, if you decide to use a traditional pregnancy test rather than a digital one. The reason for this is that each pregnancy test has two lines: a control line and a test line.
That test line is still present even if your test does not detect any HCG, and when the test dries, it is frequently visible.
So how do you know if the line is a positive result or simply an indent? If the line has no color or does not appear until after your test has dried, you can assume it’s an indent. For this reason, you should never read a pregnancy test after the allotted time, which is often 10 minutes (3).
You can also use an app or flip a photo of the test result if a line appears within the allotted time but you’re unsure of whether it’s a positive or an indent. When inverted, the line will be visible if it has any color. If it doesn’t, the test is probably negative.
A chemical pregnancy is a term used to describe an early miscarriage, usually before five weeks of gestation, or one that happens before the fetus can be detected on an ultrasound. About 50 to 75 percent of these occur during early pregnancy and generally do not affect a woman’s ability to conceive again later (4).
There is no single explanation for why chemical pregnancies happen. Many think they frequently result from abnormal chromosomes in the embryo.
According to some, the body naturally terminates these embryos because they would not have been viable most of the time and prevents the implantation process from taking place.
The good news is that chemical pregnancies typically have no bearing on your future ability to conceive and deliver a healthy baby. Additionally, it is typically safe for you to try to get pregnant right away after a chemical pregnancy.
Editors Note: Dr. Njoud Jweihan, MD
Did your initial pregnancy test show a darker line, but a subsequent test revealed a lighter line? Did your ultrasound reveal a fetus, but a subsequent test revealed a faint positive?
Sadly, if that’s the case, you might be having a miscarriage.
Pregnancy losses that occur prior to 20 weeks of pregnancy are referred to as miscarriages. Most of them occur during the first 13 weeks.
Other than bleeding, miscarriages can occur without any other symptoms, but some typical signs and symptoms include back pain, cramping, diarrhea, and even contractions.
Clinical miscarriages occur in approximately 10-25 percent of all pregnancies. Because a clinical miscarriage happens after a heartbeat has been found or the fetus has been visible on an ultrasound, it differs from a chemical pregnancy.
What to ExpectIf you are miscarrying, your HCG levels will start to drop, but because of lingering HCG in your body, you may still show a faint line on a pregnancy test for a few days or even weeks.
Although an early miscarriage cannot be prevented, you can consult a doctor if you feel the need. They may want to perform tests if this has occurred more than once to make sure there are no underlying problems, such as low progesterone or other hormonal problems.
Your physician can also provide you with guidance on when it is safe to begin trying to conceive once more.
Wait a Few Days and Test Again
Because some pregnancy tests require higher HCG levels than others, your test might not be picking up enough of the hormone to cause a dark line just yet (6). If you still see a faint line after a few days of testing, it might be good to call your doctor.
Your doctor can perform a blood test to see if your HCG levels indicate you are pregnant. Additionally, they can check to see if your HCG levels are rising as they should. Start taking a prenatal vitamin in the interim, just in case you are truly expecting, as it can help prevent birth defects.
The results of the blood test can show how much HCG is present in your body and how far along you are in your pregnancy.
FAQ
What does a faint line on a CVS pregnancy test mean?
Are CVS Health pregnancy tests accurate?
What does an evaporation line look like on a CVS pregnancy test?
Is a pregnancy test positive if the line is faint?