False Positive Pregnancy Test After C-Section: What to Expect

Question
I gave birth by c-section in October.  It is 13 weeks later and I had not resumed menstruation.  Curiosity got to me and I took a home pregancy test and the results were positive 3 different times.  I am happy about this as we want more children. I just don't want to get my hopes up.  I have scheduled a doctor's appointment, but it is still a week and a half away and I'm excited, but scared that I'm getting excited for nothing.
What are the chances of a home pregancy test resulting in false-positive 13 weeks after delivering a healthy baby by c-section?

Answer
Very often, it takes around 10-12 weeks after a delivery for a pregnancy test to become negative. Usually we recommend that you refrain from sex until you get one normal period because it is difficult to "date" the new pregnancy without knowing the date of the first day of your last period. If you have any doubts, take two blood tests for pregnancy (48 hours apart). If there is a doubling of the results in 48 hours, it indicates a viable, new, pregnancy. If there is a halving of the results in 48 hours, it is merely the HCG of the "old" pregnancy disappearing. Did you have your postpartum exam? Usually, a pregnancy test is accurate 21 days after conception. The fact that you had a cesarean section will not have any effect on a pregnancy test. However, the HCG (the homone of pregnancy) may still be dropping from your  previous pregnancy.