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What to Do if You Think You Are Pregnant
I have received several comments on my article, Early Signs of Pregnancy, from readers wondering what they should do if they think they may be pregnant. I thought I would write a quick article with some suggestions to help other readers who may be wondering the same thing.
There are really only a couple of things you can to do determine if you really are pregnant.
- You can opt to take a home pregnancy test. These can be purchased from any pharmacy or grocery store. There are many options on the market so be sure to read the labels and pick one that suits you preferences and needs. Home pregnancy tests have fairly high accuracy rates when used correctly and used at the proper time. False positives are very rare.
OR
- You can visit your doctor for a doctor administered urine pregnancy test (similar to home pregnancy tests) or a blood test. Many women feel more comfortable hearing the results directly from their doctor, especially if you are unsure about performing the home test properly. If you don’t have a regular doctor or lack health insurance you can also go to a clinic to have these doctor administered tests.
There are many early signs of pregnancy from sore and swollen breasts, cramping, exhaustion, morning sickness, and lack of or late period. All of these symptoms can also be signs of other things that may be going on, which makes it important to find out for sure. Any time you have unprotected sex (and even protected sex since no birth control is 100% accurate) there is a chance of getting pregnant. If you suspect that you may be pregnant the best thing is to take a pregnancy test.
If you have questions or concerns about your early pregnancy symptoms, or about how to get and administer a pregnancy test you should contact your doctor.
AT FIRST I WAS THINKING THAT I WAS PREGNANT. MY BREAST WAS FEELING FUNNY I HAD VOMITED ONLY ONE TIME AND I DIDNT HAVE AN APPETITE AND MY PERIOD WAS LATE BUT IT CAME AND I AM HAVING THESE SYMPTOMS THAT I WAS PREGNANT AND THEN MY BESTFRIEND FOUND OUT SHE WAS PREGNANT AND I WAS JUST SO FOCUSED ON I WAS HAVING SYMPTOMS FOR HER AND I NEVER TOOK THE ACTUAL TEST. I GET LIGHT HEADED AT TIME AND AT TIMES MY STOMACH FELLS QUIZZY SO WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Kassidy,
If I were you I would probably talk to my doctor to find out if there is anything going on that may be causing your symptoms.
I AM ON THE PILL AND BUT I HAVE NOT BEEN TAKING THEM REGULARLY. MY PERIOD CAME LAST MONTH ON THE 24TH. SINCE THEN MY BOYFRIEND AND I HAVE NOT BEEN USING CONDOMS REGULARLY BUT HE USES THE PULL OUT METHOD. MY PERIOD IS LATE THIS MONTH AND I HAVE TAKEN 3 PREGNANCY TESTS, ON THE 26TH, 29TH AND THIS MORNING, THE 31ST. ALL WITH NEGATIVE RESULTS. COULD I BE PREGNANT? THE LAST TIME I HAD INTERCOURSE WAS THE 24 AND MY BOYFRIEND USED CONDOMS ON THAT DAY.
Ashley,
If you haven’t been using the pill regularly it isn’t effective so if you haven’t been using some other form of birth control than there is a chance of becoming pregnant. I would recommend waiting a few more days and if your period still hasn’t arrived then I would recommend testing again. Or, you could call your doctor and schedule an appointment for a blood test.
Lisa if my period is a week late should I still wait until 2 weeks after I last had intercourse to retake a pregancy test? I had intercourse with a condom last Tue. but my 3 pregnancy tests have come back negative. Which way should I depend on? My period is a week late.
Ashley,
I would wait until next week since if you did just become pregnant last week the pregnancy hormone wouldn’t be very strong yet. If you still haven’t gotten your period by next week I would test again then.
my period came on d 18th march and lasted for 4 days.usually it is 7 days. i had sex on the 31st march( 13 days into my cycle) my boyfriend and i had unprotected sex. since then i have been sick 2 everything.can i be pregnant.is it 2 soon 2 take a pregnancy test. how long should i wait??
Lauren,
It is probably too soon to tell. I believe the absolute earliest you can test is 5 days before your missed period, however, you have to make sure you purchase the right home pregnancy test. The longer you wait to test the more accurate your results as it is testing for the pregnancy hormone and it isn’t as easily detected early in your pregnancy.
The last time I had intercourse was March 24th. THe last time I had a period was Feb. 23. I had no period in March but my period came April 3rd. I took a pregnancy test that same day before my period came and it was negative. Do I need to take another pregnancy test?
Ashley,
Probably not, unless you continue to have signs and symptoms of pregnancy of course. It is possible to still get your period during the early months of pregnancy. If your next period is irregular or it doesn’t come at all then I would definitely test again then.
I have unregular period aned am i dont no my cycle howmany dayz i want to concieve am taking clomid this monthe my period date is 18th April can i do pregnancy test before my missing period will it show accurate
Reema,
Given that your period is irregular and you are on clomid I think it is probably best until after you missed period before testing. Testing before your missed period often results in much less accurate testing and can produce a false negative. Ask your doctor when they think the best time to test is.
Hi Guys,
I’m 28 and have been married for a year. I have been experiencing many of the symptoms that a lot of what
you are all describing in your posts. For the past week and a half I’ve been very bloated and have been
really gassy and my stomach feels heavy and full all the time! My breasts are swollen also, but not very sore
only on the edges. I’ve my aeroli are bigger and have also noticed some blue veins appearing.
Last night I woke up in the middle of the night feeling queasy. My period is due around the 13th, but my period can sometimes
be a few days late. I think if I am pregnant I would be around 4/5weeks. I have taken two home tests already,
one a fe days before my due date and another yesterday but both tests were negative. I am really confused,
how long should I wait before I test again? I have never been pregnant before so I don’t know if what I’m experiencing is normal.
Your advice and comments would be most appreaciated!!!!
Catherine,
I would wait a few more days and if your period still hasn’t arrived than test again. If you still get negatives and still think you may be pregnant I would recommend going to the doctor for a blood test.
Hey I had sex with my boyfriend two days before my period and then I got my period but it did not last long in only lasted four days usually it last seven could I be pregnant?
Juanita Gurule,
If you had unprotected sex then yes there is a chance of becoming pregnant. I would recommend taking a home pregnancy test if you think you might be pregnant.
i really need help!. Right 7days ago was my ovulation day, 3days after my boobs felt a little sore but i took no notice. Next day they blew up and every day they get worse and my nipple has enlarged. im now 4days late. I have a cheap hpt but i dont know wether to take in the morning or is it to early? could i be pregnant..which i hope so xxx
Aimzie,
It might be too early but you could try the test. If you get a negative but still don’t get your period I would test again in a week or so.
i took one this morning ( a pound one ) and it came up neg. thankyou for your advice i really appreiciate that ill re-take one in a week xx
Okay so I am having prego signs I am nasouis I have super bad heartburn weird white bumps around my nipples cravings and tha smell of certain foods makes me wanna puke my sister is on her 3rd baby and she says im probably prego but we got a home test and it was negative and I got a blood one and it was negative too and my period is late idk what to think any more…..
Kara,
The blood tests are very accurate. Did your doctor say anything about testing again? I would recommend talking to your doctor about your symptoms and seeing what else may be the cause if you are not pregnant.
No she didnt I talked to a nurse but she wasnt much help, but I think I’m just going to wait longer and test again, But this is so confusing and my doctor is no help!
Kara,
That’s probably a good idea. If you get a negative again I would definitely get check out by your doctor though to see what else may be causing your symptoms.
just to let u all no i wasnt pregnant i came on my period xx
hi i dont know if you can help. i was on the pill for a year and 3 months. and i decided to stop so i can get my normal period.. i missed about 5 pills one after the other in my last pack.can i be preg? i had nausea and diziness and backache too.. and even dark brown around the nipples. i had some spotting about a week after having sex but only a little and stopped..i took a test 1 week after i saw the blood and it was – but now i dont know when i can test again cause obviously since i stopped the pill i do not know when my period will come.. please help!!
btw .. after i didnt take the pills for 5 days straight i had bleeding after 4 days approximately then 2 days after that stoped i saw the spotting..
Liza,
It would be hard to determine when to test due to not knowing when your period is supposed to arrive. I would recommend testing maybe a couple of weeks after you tested last time if you still haven’t gotten your period by then.
hello. im back! this time hopefully i am pregnant!…im 7days late for my period..when i was 4days late i went to my nurse and had a pregnancy test which was negative. my boobs really hurt as days go by i notice in the mornings i feel more empty sicky feeling. i had loads of discharge and day after missed period cramping all morning. when shall i test again? i had sex on my ovulation day so its a high chance i can be pregnant.?
Aimzie,
I would go ahead and test again now. The longer after your missed period the more accurate the results usually. Good luck and let me know how it turns out.
Oh, and if you get a negative result and still think you might be pregnant you could get a blood test done, those are more accurate.
Lisa
I Had My “period ” During A UTI That I Got 3 Days After Having Sex, And I Had My Period For 9 Days Straight, 6 Days Later I Took A Pregnancy Test, But Came Out Negative(the Test Was At 25 Hcg Level), What Is Really Going On With Me?
Erika,
Are you on antibiotics for the UTI? Antibiotics often mess up my period. I would wait a bit and test again if you still think you might be pregnant. You could also go to your doctor for a blood test as they are more accurate early in pregnancy than the urine tests are.
Hello
I am in a commited relationship. I was on birthcontrol (nuva ring) for just over a year, when I started having stabbing pains during a bowel movement and other times of my period. I have been tested for endometriouses and it came back negative, My doctor than sent me for a whole bunch of blood tests that came back saying something but I do not have any of those symptoms. My doctor does not know what is going on down there and did not know I was on the nuva ring. I was refered to a gyno but my apointment is not for antother three months. My boyfriend and I deceided at that point we are going to stop usuing the nuva ring untill we find out what is happening. This was in August, I got my period after that for a few days 3 days is really all my period lasts for and it is very light. We have had sex a few times this month and used a condom everytime! I was supposed to get my period on August 31st Monday and Today is Sep 3rd I have had a lot of discharge a little bit than normal. I also had tender nipples but I do not think they are soar anymore. I do not know what to do please help!
Michel,
I would guess it is just your body adjusting to going off the nuva ring, however, you could take a home pregnancy test to be sure.
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I had sex about 3 weeks ago.. Im on the pill(for 2 years) Didnt use protection.. i had a weird period this month.. iv gone off my food…id think im hungary go to make something and then i dont want it makes me feel sick.. also feel a bit sickly.
Could i be pregnant
Elle,
Have you taken a home pregnancy test? The pill is fairly safe protection, not 100% of course since no protection is, but it is close. I would take a home pregnancy test and see what it says.
Ok so i had my first sex 3 weeks ago. It was on the last night of my period. That whole week i felt just fine. But the next week i felt absolutly horrible. My boobs had grown and were really sore, and my stomach had bloated and was very crampy. I felt like all i wanted to do was sleep, and i had very bad mood swings. I had to pee alot,and i really wanted food that i usually hate. I took a preg. test last saturday but it was (-). Do you think im preggo? when should i take another test?
Clareabelle,
Most women do not ovulate until 14 days after the start of their period, so it is unlikely you were ovulating on the last day of your period, however, not impossible. I would wait and see if you get your period, if you don’t than test again. If you continue to get negative results and continue to have the symptoms you are describing than I would recommend contacting your doctor to get checked out.
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Hi,
I’m in a committed relationship and getting worried. I have been on the pill for not very long (6 months) and my boyfriend and I dont use condoms at all. My last period was very odd lasting 10 days in a kind of spotting manner rather then my usual 4 day one. Since then I have been turned off by food, having lightheaded spells, sore muscles, cravings, a visible growth and tenderness of my breasts and not being able to stand smells. I have been to my doctor recently and after blood and heart tests they determined that the nausea, dizziness and muscle fatigue and soreness was just stress. They did a physical check on my stomach and said nothing seemed a miss. Could they be wrong? Should I still take a test?
Mir,
Did they do a pregnancy test or have you taken a home pregnancy test? It is normal when you start using birth control pills to have irregular periods for a while. I would recommend taking a home pregnancy test if you think there is a possibility you may be pregnant. If it comes back negative then revisit your doctor if the symptoms continue so they can help you figure out what is going on. Get a second opinion if you aren’t happy with what your regular doctor is telling you.
i had intercourse on the 15 of april, no protection, what i thought to believe was my period came 3 days late and was a light pink color of spotting and lasted only a day. I have been urinating frequently as well. Am i pregnant?
C. Bailey,
There is a chance of becoming pregnant any time you have unprotected sex. I would recommend taking a home pregnancy test if you think you may be pregnant.
Lisa, me and my boyfriend had sex, and the condom broke, and he ejaculated inside of me, but i got my period that day, but my periods been irregular.
Can i be pregnant?
Crystal,
I would recommend taking a home pregnancy test just to be sure. If it is negative and your periods continue to be irregular than I would recommend going to see your doct
I had unprotected sex with my Boyfriend. We were planing to have a baby BUT my period came one week after. it happen on a SAturday and my period came the following friday morning. my period usually last one week and this time my period lasted 5 days. AM i pregnant ? was that suppose to be my last period? … i made 2 weeks last saturday. Would the results come out okay or should i wait more time?
Nina,
If you got your period it is unlikely that you are pregnant, but still possible. I would recommend waiting to see if you get your next period or if you start getting any other symptoms. If you don’t get your next period or if you start feeling like you may be pregnant than take a home pregnancy test.
ohh ok thank you!
Years ago, me and my husband were trying to have a baby. In the last 2-3 years we have not really discussed it at all. We just felt as if one of us could not, and we did not want to know who and left it at that. My Oct period was very heavy for only 1 day.(Usually 4-5)I am now 10-12 days late for my period this month. For the last 12 days I have been exhausted, breasts are somewhat sensitive, back hurts, legs hurt off and on, nausea and dizzy spells, light heart burn, heat flashes, my stomach suddenly appears very flabby. This year I have lost 93 lbs, not fast though and nothing n the last two months. I took an EPT this morning and got a neg. I feel stupid, and do not know what to expect. I am 30 and I have never been preg. Does this sound like pregnancy or are there other diagnosis for all these same symptoms. I have searched the web for parellel diagnosis and have no luck.
Also, I have been told that some woman will never get a positive on the stick, is that true?