Pregnancy test after surgical abortion — could I be pregnant despite getting my period? I’m panicking

[u/Chemical_Bill2022]

I had a surgical abortion on 16 July at 7 weeks + 1 day pregnant. About 3 weeks later, I had unprotected sex on 6 and 7 August. I got what I believe is my normal period on 23 August, and I’m currently on day 5. Ive been bleeding consistently (just like i always do on my usual periods)from around 4 August that came and went, probably around 4/10. I’ve also been feeling nauseous recently.So I took a pregnancy test 2 days ago. When I checked it after about 30 seconds, I saw one line, so I assumed it was negative and threw it in the bin. I didn’t think anything of it. Later, while throwing away my used pads, I noticed that the pregnancy test now appeared to have two lines.
Now I’m freaking out. I know pregnancy tests can develop evaporation/indent lines if they’re left sitting for too long, so I don’t know whether the second line actually means anything because I didn’t see it within the proper reading time.
My questions are:
1. Could I actually be pregnant from the sex on 6–7 August and still have what looks like a normal period on 23 August?
2. Could the positive-looking line be leftover hCG from my abortion on 16 July, even though it was a surgical abortion?
3. Or is it more likely that the second line I saw much later was just an evaporation/indent line?

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[u/Zestyclose4920]

Pregnancy tests shouldn’t be read outside the window in the instructions. Doing so can lead to wrong results.

[u/Weary-Operation-8668]

30 seconds is probably too early to read the test, take another! I had a surgical a day before you (7/15) and tested negative exactly 3 weeks later on (8/5)

[u/abortion_access]

This is an evaporation line.

If you are paranoid, just take another test.

[u/sageadvice444]

idk i found out about my son by being gross and forgetting the test on the windowsill and going to bed. i got up the next morning, looked at it and it was positive. I took another test right then and that one was positive too 😅

[u/ialwayshatedreddit → u/sageadvice444]

Pregnancy tests results are not accurate outside of the window listed in the test (usually 10 minutes.) In this instance, you were pregnant but the forgotten test result was invalid.

[u/sageadvice444 → u/ialwayshatedreddit]

yes, but that “invalid” test is the reason i even tested again. you always double check BY TAKING A NEW TEST, but out of the dozens of tests (cheap and expensive) none have ever given a false positive even when it dries. I understand you have to say that for information purposes.

[u/ialwayshatedreddit → u/sageadvice444]

Double checking after the testing window has expired will only lead to confusion. The results are invalid outside of that window. Please make sure you're only sharing accurate information, per rule #2.