• Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Before Header

The Pregnancy Nurse®

Preparing you from bump to bassinet.

Header Right

  • Pregnancy Resources
    • The Online Prenatal Class for Couples
    • Shop 🛒
    • Free Resources
  • By Trimester
    • First Trimester Resources
    • Second Trimester Resources
    • Third Trimester Resources: Finish Strong!
  • Healthy Pregnancy
    • Healthy Eating
    • Pains of Pregnancy
    • Pregnancy Activities
    • Pregnancy Medications
    • Will it put you into labor?
    • Prenatal Care
  • Labor and Birth
    • Signs of Labor
    • Cesarean Section Delivery
    • Hospital Routines
    • Induction
    • Pain Management
  • Partners
  • Postpartum
  • Glossary
  • Podcast
  • About
    • Invite to Speak
    • Contact

Mobile Menu

  • Pregnancy Resources
    • The Online Prenatal Class for Couples
    • SHOP 🛒
    • Free Resources
  • About
    • Speaker Requests
    • Contact
  • By Trimester
    • First Trimester Resources
    • Second Trimester Resources
    • Third Trimester Resources: Finish Strong!
  • Healthy Pregnancy
    • Healthy Eating
    • Pains of Pregnancy
    • Pregnancy Activities
    • Pregnancy Medications
    • Will it put you into labor?
    • Prenatal Care
  • Labor and Birth
    • Signs of Labor
    • Cesarean Section Delivery
    • Hospital Routines
    • Induction
    • Pain Management
  • Postpartum
  • Partners
  • Glossary
  • Podcast
You are here: Home / Healthy Pregnancy / What Does a Faint Line on a Pregnancy Test Mean?

What Does a Faint Line on a Pregnancy Test Mean?

October 15, 2024 //  by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN

All articles are written/reviewed by pregnancy expert Hilary Erickson, BSN-RN, -- a nurse since 1997 with 20 years of labor and delivery experience. This is medical info, not advice. Consult your provider for expert advice on your own health decisions.

faint line on a pregnancy test with the text "faint positive on a pregnancy what does it mean from a labor nursefaint line on a pregnancy test with the text "faintly positive on a pregnancy what does it mean from a labor nursefaint line on a pregnancy test with the text "faint positive on a pregnancy what does it mean from a labor nursefaint line on a pregnancy test with the text "faint positive on a pregnancy what does it mean from a labor nursefaint line on a pregnancy test with the text "faint positive on a pregnancy what does it mean from a labor nurse

Today I’m answering a question I get a LOT of. Lots of images sent to me via social media to ask if I see a line too. I get it — it’s un-nerving to find out if you’re pregnant — big life changes. But does a faint line that your pregnancy test is positive or if you’re negative? Let’s learn more about the tests and where you go from here if you have a faint line?

But first — I want you to know that this article is being written by an expert. I’ve been a nurse since 1997 and I have looked into pregnancy tests a lot. Not only for my own body (and I had 3 years of infertility with my last one, so I get this) but also helping others understand it more. Plus, all that college chemistry and understanding pregnancy hormones to back this up. I am here to help you have a confident pregnancy even starting with the test! I hope you’ll hang out with me more!

Featured Image
We keep spam just in our pantry ~ Cancel at any time!

Let’s get this out of the way — there are VERY few false positive pregnancy tests. If you do have a false positive you want to be seen, it could be a hormonal issue you need looked at. There are many more false negatives (for a variety of reasons) than false positives. SO, if there is a line (an actual line) — even if it’s faint it is likely positive.

faint line on a pregnancy test with the text "faint positive on a pregnancy what does it mean from a labor nurse

I do think that it is smart to ask a few people who don’t have hopes and dreams set on that test to look at it…. Lines can magically appear in our eyes when we hope for something so hard (or — on the opposite end hope that it is NOT positive, which I get as well).

If you do think your test is positive be SURE to read my post 5 do’s and don’ts of the first trimester.

Why a faint line?

Most often the line is faint for a few reasons:

The test is old — maybe it’s losing it’s power if you’re using an old test you’ve had hanging around. Getting a new test might be helpful?

Low HCG — this could be that you’re very early in your pregnancy, or you are very hydrated and it thinned-out the HCG in your system. This is why I recommend people take the test first thing in the morning if possible. This is the time that your HCG is most concentrated in your urine.

There isn’t a line — again, hopes and dreams can trick our eyes. So be really thoughtful. Tests are best read in sunlight for the best view vs weird indoor lighting.

Evaporation line — as the pee starts to evaporate there can be an evaporation line, but I think that if you check the test within the timeframe that they recommend in the instructions this shouldn’t be too big of an issue.

5 do's and don't s of the first trimester from the pregnancy nurse

What to do if the line is faint?

A light line isn’t unusual — often it’s much lighter than the “control” line (which is annoying, but true).

However, if it’s REAL faint — to the point you’re not even sure that it’s there….

I would recommend waiting a couple of days to take another test. Busy yourself in things you love and can take your mind off of things. HCG actually builds-up very quickly in our systems and you can have a very clear answer on your hands in a few days.

They recommend taking a test after your period likely would have come. That means a couple of weeks after conception for most people. I know you want to take it earlier than that.

That being said — if you’ve had a few eyes look at it and there is a line — that’s a line and likely a positive.

What about a better brand?

While some tests do a digital read-out, and some say they are more sensitive the reality is they’re all basically testing for the same thing (and have to do so to get FDA clearance). I’m a huge fan of the dollar store pregnancy tests. Yes, they’re simple but it doesn’t mean that they are any less effective.

I can also see the reason to get a few brands because they do all do their tests differently — so if you have the cash and are short patience, you can try it — you may still just get negatives or faint lines for the next few days.

I also have a full post on some tests are positive and some are negative that you might find helpful if you want to know more about why there are false negative tests.

But, the reality is much is solved by waiting a couple of days. BUT I also get it, I’m wildly impatient too. So, best of luck to you!

I’d love to hang out with you during your pregnancy — come join me:

Featured Image
We keep spam just in our pantry ~ Cancel at any time!

Don’t miss any of my other first trimester resources here!

Pin
Share
Post
  • About the Author
  • Latest Posts
Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN( Registered Nurse | Prenatal Educator )

A nurse since 1997, she has worked in various fields including pediatrics, geriatrics & hospice.  She has  20 years of labor and delivery experience in the San Jose, CA and Phoenix, AZ areas.

As an evidence-based prenatal educator Hilary has delivered thousands of babies and has educated hundreds of thousands of parents from a diverse patient population to help them have a confident birth.

  • Why Labor Pain Can Feel So Different For Each Person
  • Avoid Tearing at Delivery: 3 things you can do.
  • 5 Simple Tips for a "Natural" Labor & Delivery

Category: First Trimester Resources, Healthy Pregnancy

Previous Post: « Pitocin to Induce Labor
Next Post: What a Birth Plan Can ACTUALLY Do For Your Birth? pregnant woman with her birth plan»

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Hilary has been a nurse since 1997 and has 20 years of L&D experience

The Online Prenatal Class for couples prepares couples for their hospital birth in just a few hours

Site Footer

The Online Prenatal Class for Couples
TikTok Facebook Instagram Pinterest YouTube

Reminder: Please don’t take the advice on this website over the advice of your physician or a professional.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Disclosure & Privacy Policy | Terms | Accessibility Statement

Copyright © 2025 pregnurse.com. All rights reserved.

The Pregnancy Nurse®Logo Header Menu
  • Pregnancy Resources
    • The Online Prenatal Class for Couples
    • Shop 🛒
    • Free Resources
  • By Trimester
    • First Trimester Resources
    • Second Trimester Resources
    • Third Trimester Resources: Finish Strong!
  • Healthy Pregnancy
    • Healthy Eating
    • Pains of Pregnancy
    • Pregnancy Activities
    • Pregnancy Medications
    • Will it put you into labor?
    • Prenatal Care
  • Labor and Birth
    • Signs of Labor
    • Cesarean Section Delivery
    • Hospital Routines
    • Induction
    • Pain Management
  • Partners
  • Postpartum
  • Glossary
  • Podcast
  • About
    • Invite to Speak
    • Contact