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Week Four


Published 02.22.2008 | Permanent Link | Comments (50)

pregnancy calendar

Your baby is:

  • Implanted snugly in the rich lining of your delicious uterus.
  • Still less than a millimeter long.
  • Seriously, a MILLIMETER. Go pull out a ruler and wrap your mind around that.
  • I will wait.
  • Okay, that little millimeter is growing three different cell layers already -- the ectoderm, endoderm and mesoderm.
  • In case you FOR SOME REASON don't remember high school biology class (shame!), those are the earliest beginning of your baby's nervous system, hair, skin, gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, liver, thyroid, skeleton, blood system, connective tissue, urogenital system and muscles. Oh, IS THAT ALL?

You are:

  • Probably wondering where your period is.
  • Beating the hell out of your boobs to see if they're sore.
  • Peeing on sticks, possibly cursing out sticks.

Sometime around the end of week four, you will officially miss your period, if you're the sort of gal who pays attention to that sort of thing. (I know before I ever entering the trying-to-conceive game I was definitely the type who could not remember my LMP for the life of me.) And if you're the sort of gal who enjoys peeing on your dollars, you will probably run right out and buy some of those "test FIVE DAYS before you miss your period!" pregnancy tests.

Ignore what the tests say on the box: very very very very few women will get a positive result a day before they miss a period, let alone FIVE DAYS before they miss it. I'm sure it happens, although I must admit that it has never happened to a single pregnant woman I've known. And I've known a lot of pregnant women. We all reported clear-cut positive results about a day to five days after we missed our periods, but a lot of negatives before.

For my current pregnancy I tested on day 28 in the midst of terrible, terrible nausea but got a negative. (My cycle is about 30 days, usually.) This negative convinced me that I had the stomach flu instead of the knocked-up flu, and only after six more days of heartburn and nausea did I finally break down and buy more sticks. And boom! A resounding positive result in about five seconds.

The point is: if you MUST test early, re-test once you really and truly have missed your period.

Now. Onto the most popular topic ever...

The earliest signs of pregnancy.

For a lot of women, sore boobs are the first sign that Something Is Up. But sore boobs are also a pretty common symptom of regular ol' PMS. So...argh! Useless! A lot of women (myself included) report that pregnant sore boobs ARE different than PMS sore boobs, but in a way that's hard to describe. Mine are more...burny and stabby and heavy, whereas PMS boobs just kind of...ache. Wearing a bra hurts, going without a bra hurts. Wrapping a towel around your chest after a shower hurts. That moment when you take your bra off at the end of the day hurrrrrrrts, like YOW YOW YOW THAT HURTS. Except when it doesn't hurt, because the soreness can and does vary from day to day. (So if you're pregnant and your boobs hurt yesterday but don't hurt today, don't panic, and don't mash them into lumpy potatoes while trying to get reassurance that you're still pregnant.)

Personally, I like to shake things up a little bit and get the morning sickness going as soon as humanly possible. The books say most women get nauseous around week six or seven. (Those women who aren't among the lucky 25% who never suffer from it at all.) (I HATE YOU.) My gastrointestinal tract is the first thing to go all kablooey in pregnancy, with dry heaving, sensitivity to odors, acid reflux, constipation and bloating to the point of needing maternity clothes showing up right away. (I am wicked sexy.) I've managed to steer clear of actual puking so far, but we'll see what happens around week seven, when my general digestive discomfort turned into full-on vomitous misery in Pregnancy #1. (I really do think I had a 24-hour stomach bug the week before I tested, but the pregnancy hormones kept everything churning for a few extra days.)

All my research sources mention "implantation bleeding" as an early sign of pregnancy. This would happen sometime between the end of week three and the beginning of week four and result in a light and one-time spotting on your underwear. Nobody I know has ever reported this actually happening to them, but dozens of women I know have tried to convince themselves that no, that's NOT their period starting, that's implantation bleeding, I better pee on a stick! (Full disclosure: I may be including my own dumb hopeful self here.)

And then there's the fatigue, the headaches and backaches and uterine cramping and changes in appetite and the frequent dashes to the bathroom to pee.  All this and those pesky peesticks may STILL be giving you the Big Fat Negative.

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Comments (50):

Painterly said:

Goofy question - but how common is it to experience things like experience tiredness, sore boobs etc and not be pregnant? My DH & I have been trying for about 6 months now and I've had three cycles with the same symtoms... and then an extra heavy AF. It's definitely frustrating, but how common is that for other women?

Posted on February 27, 2008 14:06


Max'smomSarah said:

Painterly, I am no medical professional, but it sounds like to me that you may have been pregnant each of those times, and it may be that you lost them before you would technically be late? That type of situation is extremely common. If you've not been charting your cycles, I'd highly recommend getting the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" and start charting to understand what is really going on with your body. It's an excellent book and details how to optimize your chances at getting pregnant. Good luck!

Posted on February 27, 2008 14:56


Summer said:

I had implantation bleeding with my first. I was scared to death I was miscarrying. I hadn't even had my first appointment with the ob. I ended up in the emergency room and thankfully everything was just fine.

Posted on February 27, 2008 15:07


Tricia Theis Rogalski said:

Hey. Congrats on the preggo-ness! I love reading your blog (lurker) and look forward to the next 40 weeks (+/-). I am 3w5d pregnant. Yep, I am one of those crazy people who got a BFP 5 days before AF is due. Happened with my 1st too! Although to be fair, the first stick was SOOOOOOOOO faint I thought I might be inventing the positive. So then of course I blew some more money on the digital test (highly recommend) to see that yes, indeed I am pregnant. Then--just to prove I am crazy--the battery ran out on the digital test and so it didn't have the neat-o lil' PREGNANT glimmering on it anymore so I had to pee on ANOTHER stick just to see the line...which, thankfully, was much brighter this time.

Oh. And queasiness and boob pain. Already have it too! Man. This is going to be a wild ride.

Posted on February 27, 2008 15:44


saj said:

As the illustrator of the crazy boob lady, I just want to give everyone permission to make fun of her and her funny dingle dangle star earrings. It's okay. I think she is funny looking too!

Posted on February 27, 2008 16:49


bethany actually said:

But SAJ, I like her dingle dangle star earrings!

Posted on February 27, 2008 21:06


Colleen said:

it helps to do the first pee of the day, even though those sticks say it doesn't matter. With my first baby, I kept peeing on sticks at all hours of the day EXCEPT first thing and kept getting negatives. Finally at what ended up being 6-1/2 weeks along, I just happened to pee on a stick first thing. I set it down, turned to flush, turned back to put the stick on the sink to wait and it was already positive. :)
With the second kid, I peed on one of tose early-response sticks first thing because something wasn't quite right...turns out I was about 3-1/2 week along. ;)

Posted on February 27, 2008 21:23


SprengBlingBling said:

I did actually get a positive three days before an expected period with my son and four days with my daughter. Used a First Response test with first morning urine!

Posted on February 27, 2008 22:06


Bethiclaus said:

I had implantation bleeding with both my pregnancies, and since I am the fortunate recipient of two miraculous surprises, I tried to convince myself I was just having a remarkably light period.

Posted on February 28, 2008 09:28


Andrea Y said:

I am a late arriver but have been reading amalah since the days of Clomid, way before the lovely Noah and have a question that I'm hoping someone here could help with.

I took a pregnancy test on Monday and it came out positive. Hurray! I was then sent to get some blood work which also confirmed the pregnancy...but they said it was still really early and they are sending me back for round two of blood work in a week to make sure everything is progressing and increasing normally...is this normal? Based on my calculations I should be between four and five weeks knocked up. But they said my progesterone levels were good...whatever that means.

Posted on March 26, 2008 14:40


ElisabethW said:

Congrats, Andrea Y!

The second round of bloodwork is totally normal. In a healthy pregnancy, HCG levels can vary a lot (so for example 17 days after ovulation, anywhere from 17-430 would be normal even for a singleton!), but should double every 2-3 days. They almost always want a second measurement if they are doing bloodwork at all, to check for that doubling (which is approximate, so don't worry if the HCG isn't exactly doubling or is more than doubling in that time frame).

Good luck!

Posted on March 31, 2008 01:26


Danielle said:

Ditto what Trica said about the digital tests. I got much more peace of mind from a "YES+" than a really pale line next to a really bright line.

Posted on April 15, 2008 09:56


Sarah said:

I don't know if what happened to me this month is normal, or call-the-shrink crazy. I'm hoping some of you can give me your opinion.

We're not even trying to get pregnant, and I'm taking the Pill, but last month I took it late a few times, and my husband half-joking said that he was sure we'd be having a baby. He said this at a dinner where a couple of friends, the same age as us, who got married last year just three months before we did, announced they were 3 months along.

Somehow, I "forgot" when my period was due. I thought it was due four days before it really is due (and I've always been very regular). So when Saturday came without my period, I was convinced I was pregnant. I was talking to my stomach, praying to my God, listening to music and swearing to remember the moment I JUST KNEW. We had dinner last night with friends, and I suddenly decided, on no other evidence than the lack of a period, that I should stop drinking (I'd had a glass of wine) and somehow accidently on purpose managed to let everybody know.

It's now Sunday, I've realised that my period is not due 'til Tuesday, and that I cannot possibly be pregnant, because duh, the Pill works. I'm really disappointed, and now I'm really wishing to get pregnant, even though my hiusband and I decided together to wait a couple of years.

Is this pure hormonal madness? Has anybody else convinced themselves they were pregnant when they weren't even trying? Is this the sudden arrival of my biological clock? (I just turned 26). Will every month be like this from now on, until I finally do have a baby?

Any, I finally think I understand what it was like for you going through fertility problems, and I'm sorry. It really sucks, mostly I think for the constant knocked hopes.

Posted on May 11, 2008 14:58


c metzger said:

I have a curious problem. My husband and I are trying to get pregnant and I thought I was pregnant last weekend. Then I started my period on Monday but it was sorta light. Then it stopped after only a day and a half. I have sore boobs and nipples, fatigue, nausea a few times and I feel like AF could come anytime now. It feels strange. I am exactly three weeks past ovulation today. I took a preg test and it came out negative two days ago. Could I still be pregnant? SHould I just wait a few more days and test again?

Posted on May 18, 2008 08:11


c metzger said:

To further confuse my warped, pregnancy-obsessed brain I have been having wierd pains on my right side (like where I would imagine my ovary is...). I already have been pregnant three times (one son who is almost 8 and two m/c) but it has been so long ago that I cannot remember many of my symptoms besides missed period. Has anyone experienced these twinges while pregnant? I know cramps are normal early in pregnancy and I have been having some dull ones off and on. I cannot think of anything else and am trying to resist the urge to test again. When I was preg before I took two hpt and both were negative, then went to doctor 10 days past due period and blood test barely showed a positive. So I am trying to keep my mind off the possibility of being pregnant and trying not to listen to the hpt calling my name from the bathroom cabinet...
Anyone else in as much agony is me ?????

Posted on May 18, 2008 14:35


AndreaP said:

I am on my 3rd late day after my period and FREAKING ouT! but also trying to tell myself this may not be it. I had an early miscarriage 2 cycles back and it was pretty devastating. This is our 7th month TTC and it can be a bit discouraging, especially since we're in our early 20's and everyone else around us is getting pregnant no problem. I got some pinkish color yesterday, but that was it! My last cycle was really irregular - I was 5 days late, but the cycle before that was when I miscarried so the doctor said it might throw things off. My boobs aren't sore really at all, and all the rest of the early signs...well, I try to convince myself I have them all, but I'm not so sure right now. Has any one else had an early miscarriage (I was 5 weeks) and had their next couple of periods thrown off?

Posted on May 21, 2008 13:41


c metzger said:

Andrea P- yes that happened to me quite a few years ago about the miscarriage. It threw my cycles off for about three months. I am freaking out as well because I didn't have hardly any period this month and have many signs of being pg. I am waiting to test beacause I feel like I will just waste it. Apparantly the preg hormone does not show up in me early. I always get false negatives so I am resisting the urge to test. I am almost 4 wks past ovulation.

Posted on May 22, 2008 06:57


KT said:

I am 34 days late for my period! And all I have had are big fat negatives! I went to my ob-gyn two weeks ago and he also did a urine test that was negative, and he said to test again in 4 wks. I haven't tested again since then because I am tired of the negatives :( I was headachy a lot a few weeks ago but that has gone away, and occasionally get nauseous. Does anyone have any advice? Has anyone tested negative and then turned out to be pregnant? Help!

Posted on May 22, 2008 16:59


juzcat said:

Kt I wouldn't be waiting 4 weeks to test again...maybe you could organise an ultra sound?

I'm in the same boat as everyone else here...in some sort of hormonal madness imagining maybe this time I could be pregnant! at 8 DPO I have had on/off nausea all day and bloated twingy belly...I think my boobs are sore but they could just be the lumpy potatoes I've made of them... I am definatley fatigued. Yesterday I had a distinctive headache and I never get headaches... I thought I might be getting the flue but that doesn't seem to have progressed.

Best of luck to everyone here! If I am pregnant I'll pop back and let you know :)


Posted on May 28, 2008 00:47


justice said:

I am only a few weeks pregnant. We used an ovulation kit. My problem is.....the other day I was itching all over and scratching like a mad woman. My scalp, the palms of my hand, my legs, my face.......everywhere. I've also had a lot of headaches. But I'm more concerned about the itching. I even have a couple of unsightly bumps on my face. Anyone have this experience very early in their first pregnancy? Thanks in advance!

Posted on June 7, 2008 11:23


Court said:

i got a positive 5 days before my missed period! all THREE times i tried...used a EPT stick...

Posted on June 18, 2008 12:44


Penelope said:

Hey i have a lil question, what about if i made like 3 pregnancy tests and the first one was negative, second one was 3 days after and it was not really positive cause it had a faint line and i went to make blood test and said the same, and today i made my 3rd test and is the same or a bit more faint than yesterday, did any of u had that???

Posted on June 24, 2008 09:32


mandy said:

i am 18 day late period i have no period for 18 day and i took 3 pregency test show i am not pregency and i cant rememeber when is last time i did have period i lost track of remember when is was last time i was period then what would i do?

Posted on June 29, 2008 23:05


nicoleZ said:

I'm stressin because last month I received my period early, now for about the past week and a half this month I've felt nausious but no boob pain but horrible headaches, I wasn't sure if my period is suppose to come at the early time it came last month or at regular time. I waited for the early time and it didn't come so two days later I took the test and within a couple of seconds it came up positive! But I have a hard time believeing I'm preggers... Any advise?!

Posted on July 18, 2008 12:28


Olivia said:

I'm re-reading these posts because I just found out I'm pregnant. Since I was charting my cycle I did take an early test and they were positive. Now my period is late so, yay!

Posted on July 21, 2008 16:34


Cate said:

I confirmed both my pregnancies the same way - a Target brand early pregnancy test taken 5 days before my period was supposed to start. So, no, the box doesn't lie! It's just more likely you'll get a false negative that early.

Posted on August 12, 2008 12:09


Cate said:

Oh! and I meant to say I have at least 2 friends for whom the early test worked as well!

Posted on August 12, 2008 12:13


ashleyw said:

I had implantation bleeding for my surprise pregnancy and tried to convince myself as well that it was a remarkably light and short period. Until I started throwing up all the time...thanks Nuvaring for my son! :)

Posted on October 23, 2008 10:18


Parker said:

I bought a preg test yesterday and waiting a week-2weeks before testing if i'm preggers. We weren't trying but i've been slightly nauseous almost everyday, mild headaches, some backache, dizziness, and tender breasts. i started having these symtoms almost as soon as my last period ended. i am just so curious, i can't wait until i can test and see!

Posted on October 24, 2008 21:48


jayme said:

Hey everyone. Im 4 weeks pregnant and im kinda freaking out because I dont really have any symptoms right now. I did have symptoms like nausia and fatigue but it vary from day to day. My mom was the same way when she was pregnant. What do you guys think is really going on? I think that it is because im first starting out and it takes time,but i wish i knew now.

Posted on November 4, 2008 13:01


holly said:

This site is fabulous! I love the humor! I feel like I'm reading about myself completely!

I'm on month four of trying to get prego, and I'm "scheduled" to start my period tomorrow. Last month I was convinced I was pregnant til my period came three days late - "oh, guess not." I'm doing my best to keep distracted so I don't think about the prego test in my cabinet. I don't want to be disappointed just yet if it comes back negative.

Good luck to everyone who is at this point as well!! That is unless you don't want to be prego then come on aunt flo!! : )

Posted on November 12, 2008 15:42


debra said:

hi, i feel a little weird... this is my first pregnancy and i have endometriosis. it is something that has been causing problems in my family for along time. so i had fears and thought i would never have kids. but lately, i have noticed i was sleeping a lot, but i figured it was because of a cold that had hit back to back with all the stress i had been under. but i didnt feel well and i was cramping a lot more than normal and even though normaly i cramp when i'm not on my period, it seemed to never go away. i would lay my head on the table, close my eyes and the room would start spinning. i was constantly had headaches or heartburn. i would start gagging after i ate something or smelt something. my boobs started hurting and seemed to always be hot to the touch and yet my nipples stayed hard for a week and 1/2 straight, it seemed. my step-mom and sister noticed the signs and here, i thought, i had mono or a bad flu. they convinced me to take a test but i hadn't missed my period yet. my periods aren't regular either, sometimes i have 2 in a month. my longest cycle is 23 days, but others are 18 to 24 day cycles. so i took a pregnancy test a day before missed period w/first response and it said pregnant. this was complete shock that scares me silly still to this moment. the next day i started to bleed(by the way happy thanksgiving), so i went to hospital. they tested my levels and said they were really low and it could be tubal, miscarriage, or really early in pregnancy. after 3 trips to the hospital, doesn't look like miscarriage. they say i am maybe 3 weeks, why am i experiencing these symptoms already? and how will i be able to tell what my due date is?

Posted on December 2, 2008 00:44


Hurricane Katrina said:

DEBRA: The best medicine is to Relax, drink plenty of fluids...but don't float yourself...SERIOUSLY. I am going through the same thing and am probably pretty close to you date wise. Whenever I bend over, or lay my head back i get an instant headache. Its like all the blood rushes to my head and pounds. Your doctor will address the endometriosis issue with you at your first official visit, so I wouldn't worry about that. The best thing you can do for yourself is to keep small snacks with you (i carry Ritz crackers) and I find that peppermint tea calms my stomach and helps to alleviate the headaches(caffeine free, of course!), drink fluids, and try to RELAX! The extra stress of the holidays and money make everything seem and feel worse. So hopefully you have someone supportive for you to lean on.

Posted on December 15, 2008 16:54


Mel said:

I am now four days late. I stopped birth control four months ago after four years. For the past four months I have been on a continous 31 day cycle. I have been nauseated and have had frequent needs to pee latley. However I have taken four pregnancy tests, which all came back negative. I'm so frustrated. I'm trying to wait until day 7 late to take another, hoping not to be disappointed yet again.

Posted on December 15, 2008 20:09


Thila said:

Hi. I am now in the beginning of week 4 and honestly do have some sore boobs and a little uneasyness in terms of cramps and stomach. I just get an irritating feeling and even my mouth is feeling bitter. Is this normal or some kind of symptom that any of you have had?

Posted on December 22, 2008 01:57


Melissa said:

Implantation bleeding DOES exist! I had it with my first pregnancy (turned out to be chemical on 4w3d, sad) and now with my second (4w1d), too!

Posted on January 5, 2009 10:26


Linda said:

I am also one of those people that tested 4 days before my expected period and got a positive! I did the same thing with my son, and it was positive. I used the First Response Test. I am now pregnant with my 2nd child, and I am not sure how far along I am yet. I go for my first u/s at the end of this month.

Posted on January 7, 2009 12:55


wil said:

Hi all, a man here. My wife pulled me into the washroom, smiling all agog. I stood there for a minute trying to figure out what the game was, until she pointed down. There they were, the two little pink stripes.

Wow, I'm gonna be a dad! You can imagine the thoughts flowing through my mind.

Ok so, the point of this. My wife said she has known she was pregnant, by the fact that her sense of smell has been mega-amped. Has anyone else noticed this super bloodhound smelling? Amazing, the human body is simply amazing.

Posted on March 4, 2009 02:45


Pamela said:

Hi, My husband and I have been TTC for quite awhile now. Just recently we have been using the ovulation kit. I had my period on time but it was light and lasted a day and a half. I also had a brownish spotting which was light but only when I went to the bathroom. My periods are very regular. I have been feeling sick to my stomache to the point where I vomited in the car the other day. Smells are so strong and irritating. I have had a headache almost constantly. I do get migranes but it might last two days and much stronger than this. It has been over a week and no headache relief. I feel like someone slipped me a sedative or something because I can't get enough sleep. My daughter bugs me to play with her and I keep saying just a minute sweetie I will be there and can't seem to make myself get up. I took two pt test and both were neg. I did not take in the morning. I think I would be almost 3 weeks if I am. I just don't want to be disappointed like we all have experienced. Yesterday, I did not feel quite as sick and the headaches were not as bad so I thought for sure that maybe it was in my head until I had dinner last night I had to go to bed early and still feel horrible. Should I wait awhile longer to take another test and should I make sure to take it in the morning??????

Posted on March 10, 2009 10:50


Niki said:

I just took a 5 day before pregnancy test yesterday and it was positive. Took one again this morning and it was positive. The only thing I am confused on is that I had my period on the 25-30 of Feb. So when I did the math it says I should be 2 weeks, but your not able to know if your pregnant till 3 weeks....Could I be further along then I thought?

________
Editor: First of all, Congratulations! Your due date is determined by your last menstruation not by when you found out you were pregnant. You should consult your doctor to get a better approximation of your due date.

Posted on March 22, 2009 09:37


Jen said:

Hi ladies!My husband and I havent exactly been ttc, but we also havent NOT been trying. So, no birth control. I used an ovulation kit last month because I was convinced I wasn't ovulating. Turns out I ovulated late in my 28 day cycle (day 18). Today is day 32 and still no period. I've been sick to my stomach, headachy, tired (slept 10 hours last night) and irritable. I've also had backaches and a different kind of cramping then I've ever had. Like a menstrual cramp but sporadic and localized. 3 negative early response tests. My OBGYN says wait another week. Any suggestions? I'm going insane not knowing...

____________________
Editor: sweetie, i know of nothing else to do but wait or spend a fortune on early pregnancy tests. Please check back with us and let us know.

Posted on March 27, 2009 14:45


Mrs. G said:

I actually had both implantation spotting and a positive home pregnancy test 5 days before my period was due! The implantation spotting occured 8-9 dyas past ovulation and was more of pinkish-brownish tinted cervical mucous than actual bleeding. My positive tests were at 9 days past ovulation. I made sure my urine was very concentrated (2nd morning urine after not drinking anything since 8pm the night before). It came up + on both a First Response Early Result and a Clearblue Easy digital. I guess I am an anomoly :-).

Posted on April 8, 2009 10:52


Sarah said:

Hehe, some of these comments read just like those TTC message boards! Can I just say, even if you're not going to chart your cycle, PLEASE read Taking Charge of your Fertility - there is so much unnecessary confusion expressed here!

I am 4wks pregnant today and have fatigue, constant peeing, and GAS!! Oh god, the gas. And I'm starving all the time. I've been mashing my poor boobs a lot but they're only maybe a little bit tender. I miscarried at 5 weeks the first time I got pregnant so I'm looking forward to getting through the next couple weeks. Thanks for the funny, insightful column, Amy, I'm excited to follow it as I progress in my pregnancy.

Posted on May 13, 2009 16:13


Teri said:

I am 5 weeks pregnant. I tested way early - 5 days - I used Anwser - and I actually did get a positive that early. Granted, the second line was super faint - like barely there - but amazingly it was there! Now - 4 tests later - I'm pretty sure I'm pregnant! LOL

Posted on May 28, 2009 13:47


Casey said:

wow I am 3w5d pregnant and tested postive on 9 out of 13 pregnancy tests before heading to the doctor (yeah I thought they were all defective even though they were different brands). I tested positive Friday which would have had me at 3w3d, so I have to say those tests are pretty accurate :)

Posted on June 7, 2009 12:36


Nola said:

I wish I would have read this earlier! It's good to know the weird belly feelings, gas babies, and crazy boobs are all normal.

I tested 2 days after missed AF with a positive immediately with first morning urine. For the charters out there, the space btw ovulation and period for me is 10-12 days so I tested 12 days after peak day.

I did "know" i was preg on Friday but did'nt want to test and go to work...so waited one more day.

Love the blog. -N.

Posted on August 4, 2009 11:05


Kate said:

Hi there!

Loving this site and commentary - funny ladies! Hey, I am probably being super neurotic in my worrying and wondering, but... guess what!? I'm that kind of gal!

SO - my husband and I have been trying to conceive for the past six weeks. Not long, I know. My periods were May 7, June 10, July 12... all 33 day cycles (this is typical for me and other women in my family - longer cycle, but regular). It is now August 20 and I have not had my period, which indicates I am 6 days late.

And you guessed it - urine tests have been negative. I had an OBGYN appointment today, scheduled before we started trying, as I had some questions about meds, etc that I wanted to answer before conceiving.

The doc said that they usually expect a positive test within 7 to 10 days of conception, which I would theoretically be past based on my cycle and estimated ovulation dates.

Other symptoms - on August 1 and 2 I noticed a TINY amount of blood, and then that was it. On August 7 I went in for a pelvic ultrasound and blood/urine pregnancy test as I was having some abdominal pain (I have had ovarian cysts in the past, it was similar to that pain). Everything was normal. On August 19 (5 days late) my boobs hurt in my morning shower, just washing them.

So, I am a little clueless, having never been pregnant before.

Have I totally scared off my period? Or am I pregnant? Or am I neurotic? (Wait, we answered that one already... :)

Posted on August 20, 2009 20:01


CherylH said:

I don't know if I had what you'd call implantation bleeding, but I spotted off and on for 5 - 6 days prior to getting my BFP. I got my BFP the day after I was due to start my period. The spotting went away for about 24 hours. The real period didn't start (although I did have some massive, period-like cramping that morning). I tested the next morning and pushed out a mini-refrigerator a few months later. It DEFINITELY looked like a light period. Very weird. I actually went online the night before getting the BFP and ordered a bunch of pregnancy tests, because I was just sure we hadn't been successful. Joke was on me!

Posted on September 17, 2009 09:11


Erin said:

This will be my second round reading this series- it got me through many a week when I was pregnant in 2008. Can't wait to read along again. The first time around I tested once- before my period was late. Pretty sure it was a generic Target brand test, got a positive. This time around I knew, just knew in my gut (I've been nauseous for weeks) but I'm cheap so I waited until I missed my period, but really can't pinpoint a date anymore since it's all whacked out since my boys were born. Took one test- generic Target, again. Positive. Let the games begin!

Posted on December 11, 2009 07:22


eva said:

I peed on a stick 5 days before my period was due. I always have a swiss-clock-like 28 day cycle - every 4th Tuesday.

GOT TWO PINK LINES RIGHT FUCKING AWAY!!!

So there. 5 days in advance, I knew I was pregnant with #2. Now pray with me that it's not twins...

Posted on January 18, 2010 13:04


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More Pregnancy & Baby Articles by Amalah

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1) How to Choose an OB/GYN

2) Where Will My Baby Sleep?

3) Baby 101: How to Dress a Newborn

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1) Our Ultimate Baby Registry Checklist

2) The Five Most (and Least) Useful Baby Products

3) How to Create a Last-Minute Baby Registry

4) How to Buy Nursing Bras Before You Give Birth

About this column

Zero to Forty is a week-by-week guide to the miracle of pregnancy and all the various indignities that come with it. The calendar follows the forty-week model and is complete for now, though the author plans to come back and add some more articles soon.

The follow-up to this column, Bounce Back, is about the postpartum experience -- the good, the bad and the gory. There Amalah is covering everything that happens to your body, mind and circadian rhythms after you have a baby, and (hopefully) help you make sense of the New Normal. You must go read that too!

The column is well-researched but not written by a health care professional. Consider it your internet BFF pregnancy guide. See our legal disclaimer below.

About the author

Amy Corbett Storch, aka Amalah, is a freelance writer and professional blogger from Washington, DC. She has since had this baby. His name is Ezra, he was born in October of 2008 and is delicious. Amy's first son Noah is in preschool and he's pretty edible too. NomNomNom.

Amy also writes Alpha Mom's Advice Smackdown.

About the illustrations

The Zero to Forty masthead and illustrations were created by the artist Brenda Ponnay aka Secret Agent Josephine. Brenda is very talented and these images are copyright-protected. You should hire her!

Disclaimer

This column is only for entertainment purposes and is not written by a health care professional. Any recommendations or information provided herein should not be used as a substitute for advice by a trained professional. For a full statement of our site policies, please click here.