Grab a test! (For anyone wondering if they're pregnant)

I suppose I’ll just vent my paranoia here, since I really don't feel like running around shouting "wolf, wolf" to everyone I know—it would be completely pointless... Tomorrow marks day 28 of my cycle, and I’ll be taking a pregnancy test (my cycles usually run anywhere from 27 to 33 days). I actually already tested this past Tuesday afternoon because I lost track of time and was practically vibrating from all these "symptoms," but the result was negative.
The symptoms are: a couple of tiny brown spots when I wiped myself a few days ago (maybe implantation?), some heartburn, sharp twinges in my ovaries, sort of a dull ache in my lower abdomen, and for the last two days, my lower back has been hurting so much it's driving me insane. On top of that, my breasts feel huge and incredibly tender. Though, I guess they can feel like that during PMS, too. I woke up around 5:00 AM this morning and couldn't get back to sleep, and once I finally did drift off, I had the most ridiculous dreams... Oh, and I also had a couple of breakouts on the right side of my face a few days ago that cleared up in just a single day?! So now I'm stuck in this loop: I'm certain I'm pregnant! But then again, I'm probably not... I'm honestly terrified of seeing another negative test. 🙂

So, I went to see my OB-GYN because my period hasn't shown up since December 15th. He took some swabs and wants me to get a blood test for beta HCG. I have to head back to his office this Monday, but then today... I started spotting. I’m still using those vaginal suppositories, and I don't know what's going on. I was just wearing a pantyliner when I saw this reddish-brown discharge and I totally lost it. I REALLY THOUGHT I WAS PREGNANT. Now I'm just a total mess because the home test came back negative.

bluetiger212 said:Zeno, honey, you should probably head over to the doctor... maybe grab a test while you're at it?

bluetiger212 help me out!! I was at the doctor and he took some swabs since I haven't had my period since mid-December. He wants me to get a blood test done too. I have to head back there on Monday, but today I started spotting even though I'm still using those vaginal suppositories. What could this be? I was just wearing a liner and when I saw this reddish-brown color, I totally lost it. I REALLY THOUGHT I WAS PREGNANT!!! Ugh, I'm devastated because the home test came back negative.
🙂 🙂 🤷

wiredcanyon48 said:bluetiger212 help me out!! I was at the doctor and he took some swabs since I haven't had my period since mid-December. He wants me to get a blood test done too. I have to head back there on Monday, but today I started spotting even though I'm still using those vaginal suppositories. What could this be? I was just wearing a liner and when I saw this reddish-brown color, I totally lost it. I REALLY THOUGHT I WAS PREGNANT!!! Ugh, I'm devastated because the home test came back negative.
🙂 🙂 🤷

Oh honey, I really can't give you medical advice... I don't know what to tell you. 🤷 That bleeding might not even be your period. If it looks a little different than usual, it could just be old blood coming out. I also know that spotting can happen during pregnancy, especially in those first few months, so I guess you won't know for sure until that blood test comes back. But honestly, I imagine your doctor will figure it out pretty quickly since it's been so long since your last cycle... Try not to worry too much! 🙂 I've actually been trying to conceive for eight cycles now, and nothing yet... It's tough. Maybe you should join our little "trying to conceive" group online? There's a girl there who knows way more than I do, and we all have that one thing in common—we're all trying so hard to get pregnant, but it's just not happening yet. 😢

Hey everyone... I’ve got a bit of a situation on my hands. My cycles are usually pretty irregular, typically running about five to ten days late, but this time I’m staring down a twelve-day delay. I actually took a pregnancy test the other night, but it came back negative, and now I’m sitting here at day fifteen with nothing to show for it. I don't have many obvious symptoms, though there is some mild aching, a strange pressure in my abdomen—almost like someone is sitting on it—and it gets uncomfortable when I have to use the restroom. My breasts feel swollen, though they aren't tender, which is weird because they usually ache right before my period starts. On top of that, I've been dealing with these brutal headaches that even Advil won't touch. We’ve mostly been relying on withdrawal as our method of birth control, so... I guess I'm just looking for any thoughts or advice you might have. Thanks.

Carl Brown10 said:Hey everyone... I’ve got a bit of a situation on my hands. My cycles are usually pretty irregular, typically running about five to ten days late, but this time I’m staring down a twelve-day delay. I actually took a pregnancy test the other night, but it came back negative, and now I’m sitting here at day fifteen with nothing to show for it. I don't have many obvious symptoms, though there is some mild aching, a strange pressure in my abdomen—almost like someone is sitting on it—and it gets uncomfortable when I have to use the restroom. My breasts feel swollen, though they aren't tender, which is weird because they usually ache right before my period starts. On top of that, I've been dealing with these brutal headaches that even Advil won't touch. We’ve mostly been relying on withdrawal as our method of birth control, so... I guess I'm just looking for any thoughts or advice you might have. Thanks.

If your periods are irregular, there's a good chance you're just running late. Also, the withdrawal method isn't really reliable birth control, I guess. Maybe just take another test so you don't have to stress about it? It's cheap and might save you the headache. And honestly, I'd hold off on the Advil or anything else until you know for sure if you're pregnant or not.

I’ve just been sitting here thinking that maybe everything will finally fall into place on its own so I don't have to keep repeating myself, though I suppose if things had gone differently, I'd be up by twelve days by now. As for the hair dryer, you're right, I completely missed the mark on that one.

It doesn't always mean it's a positive. My sister-in-law actually had a negative test early on, so her doctor sent her in for a blood test to check her HCG levels, and turns out she was pregnant all along.
If you don't get it before the weekend, maybe just grab a test on Monday? I guess you won't lose much more by spending a little less cash $8.25 than waiting, right?
And whether it's a positive or not, you should probably take some steps before your next cycle starts. I definitely had some issues with that myself.

So, I just noticed a bit of light brown spotting, which I’m assuming means things might finally happen by morning... As for my cycle, I really should probably get my hormone levels checked. How did you end up handling all that?

I think I might have a bit of a situation... my last period was on January 31st, and even though it's come, I’ve got a feeling I might be pregnant. I don't really have any major symptoms, except maybe some constant stomach cramping like I'm about to start my period, and my breasts are pretty sore too. I've also had this itching on my chest, stomach, and back that's been going on for about two weeks now. I took a pregnancy test today and at first glance it looked negative, but when I looked closer, there was this super faint second line. I guess I'm wondering if there's any reason to worry? I'll probably just wait until my next cycle and head to my OB-GYN anyway.

I could really use some advice or if anyone has been through this!!🙂

wiredcobra74 said:I think I might have a bit of a situation... my last period was on January 31st, and even though it's come, I’ve got a feeling I might be pregnant. I don't really have any major symptoms, except maybe some constant stomach cramping like I'm about to start my period, and my breasts are pretty sore too. I've also had this itching on my chest, stomach, and back that's been going on for about two weeks now. I took a pregnancy test today and at first glance it looked negative, but when I looked closer, there was this super faint second line. I guess I'm wondering if there's any reason to worry? I'll probably just wait until my next cycle and head to my OB-GYN anyway.

I could really use some advice or if anyone has been through this!!🙂

Post a photo of the test

It's way too early for a pregnancy test if your last period started on 1/31. That would mean you're only on day 17 of your cycle, right?

It feels early... I think I'm starting to get it, though maybe I'm just feeling more pregnant than usual. My period isn't exactly reliable, since during my last pregnancy, I didn't have one for the first three months...

No, neongardener6, it’s actually her 15th day today since I also started mine on the 31st... Though I wouldn't really suggest taking a test right this second. Honestly, I'm not even sure if she actually ovulated, but if you're questioning that flow, then maybe... I guess it could be something. Maybe try making one more test and post a photo? Not that there's much we can really say about the picture if more than 5-10 minutes have passed since it beeped ☕

You're right, her birthday is actually today, December 15th. :-)

I'd love to post a photo, but I'm just not really tech-savvy enough to figure it out... sorry 🙂

No worries, I'll just redo it if it ends up being late...

Hey everyone. I’m on birth control—the patch kind. About a month ago, I missed my second scheduled change, but I did get it back on within 24 hours. It freaked me out, so I ended up taking two different tests just to be safe. The problem is, I basically botched both of them. With the first Babycheck, I accidentally held it vertically for about a minute before flipping it back to horizontal—it came back negative. The next day, I tried a different one (I think it was a Clearblue Mini?), but in my panic, I actually peeled off the strip where you're supposed to dip it and then stuck it back on. That one also showed negative. Can I actually trust these results? Are these things so finicky that my clumsy handling messed up the outcome? I know this sounds stupid, but I'm 17 and honestly terrified. My gynecologist is out on vacation until April, so I can't exactly go get a professional opinion right now. I feel like I wasted money on two tests that I didn't even use correctly because I was spiraling. I don't have any symptoms, though maybe the bloating I'm feeling is just psychosomatic from the stress. Is there any actual chance I'm pregnant? I did have my period in the meantime, though it was lighter than usual—probably just stress. Any advice, ladies?

Whoa, hey now, take a deep breath, honey! First things first, maybe you could walk us through the details? Like, when did you last have sex, when was your last period, and if you know, when you think you might have ovulated... 🙂 Just a few specifics, and whether he finished inside... Aside from all that, I’d suggest just picking up some of those budget-friendly tests. You can find them at places like $8.25, roughly... and honestly, they’re just as reliable! 😉

My period started about 15 days after my last one, which was around January 15th. I have no clue how you're even supposed to track ovulation—I probably should know 🙂

So, ovulation usually happens about 14 days before your next period hits (assuming your cycles are roughly 28 days, give or take), which is when you notice that increased discharge and all that—but honestly, you can find that info all over the internet if you really want to dig. Based on that, I guess the bad news is that you had sex right during that window (since those days around ovulation are the fertile ones), but the good news is that you actually got your period! 🙂 You didn't mention if he finished inside, or if you guys used a condom, or if he pulled out? I mean, I don't think you have much to worry about... I'm telling you, pregnancy tests aren't *that* incredibly sensitive that they would show both negative even with those little mistakes you made! When did you actually take the tests? If you're still feeling uneasy, maybe just grab another one just to get some peace of mind, though personally, I don't see any reason to panic 🙂

He didn't finish inside me—he finished outside, so we just kept going for a bit. That’s why I’m stressing out. I took one test yesterday and another one this morning. It's not like I'm being careless; I actually went to my OB-GYN to get a prescription for birth control specifically to avoid this. This time, the timing was just perfect—we had sex on the exact day I was supposed to switch my patch. I did change it, but it was about 17 hours later than my usual routine. Hopefully, everything is fine, I’m probably just overthinking it. Thanks for all the replies! I’m really hoping I won't be facing any surprises in a few months. I've been reading way too much stuff online—like how you can be pregnant without even having symptoms—and now I'm starting to spiral a little.