Help me to interpret my results (please)!

[sosickofthesoundofscreaming]

I'm so confused. I have a growing tummy (not massive, but just looks a 'pregnant' shape), I'm not gaining weight - but I can't shake the feeling I might be pregnant.

I breasfed my DS until late Dec, when he was 9 months. One day he just refused the breast and that was the end of it. Since 6 weeks after having him I had been on Micronor(mini pill) with no problems, but no periods.

Two days before New Year I had bleeding exactly like my usual periods, except that a couple of days before I really felt like I could feel movements in my belly.

Exactly 28 days later I had another period, but I still don't feel 'right'. In theory, I should be due on again at the end of this month.

I have taken a few over the counter HPTs, and aside from some evap lines when I go back to them way after the recommended time-frame they all come back negative.

To set my mind at rest, I ordered some of the high sensitivity tests from Ebay - but the results have confused me more than ever.

I have attached photos on my profile, if anyone has the time to look. Both photos show two stips from the same batch - the top strip in each was a 'control' that I did using water.

In the first photo, it is really hard to make out, but just at the point where the 'max' line joins the test strip there is a very faint pink line. It is easier to see in the second photo, where I have folded back the 'max' section. Could this just be because wee gathers up at this point, and the test is negative? Or is a line at this point still a positive? I did the water one to compare, to see if it happened with that, but water definitely doesn't give the same effect. I tried a few more strips, and get the same thing every time.

Sorry - this is really long. Any help greatly appreciated. I don't want to go to the GP yet, as I don't want them to think I am crazy. Having periods and no symptoms other than a belly just sounds a bit lame...

[galwaygal]

Hi I can't see the pictures - not sure if your settings allow everyone to view.

But I would say that you probrably should go to the doctor to get your mind put at rest.

There are a number of possibilities here, firstly as you have stopped breastfeeding you might just be getting a more normal cycle back despite the minipill.

Another possibility is that you are pregnant, if you are already 3 months or more gone then the pregnancy tests will give false negative results due to the "hook" effect, where if there is too much hcg the test will overload and not work correctly. (you can try to dilute your wee and retest to see if you get a positive test with diluted wee, but it is very random and it would be quicker and easier to see the doctor). In addition some women never get a positive test with some pregnancies.

My ds1 went off breastfeeding very suddenly at 7 months, when I was about 6 weeks pregnant with my dd. So I can understand your thought pattern.

However it is also possible that the change in tummy is just your body settling down following breastfeeding stopping. I know each time I stopped it my cycle changed in the way it felt and I often "felt" pregnant.

Really the only way for you to solve this one is with going to see your GP. He/she will be able to quickly feel your tummy and determine whether it is soft as in early pregnancy, or if further alone, even feel the uterus growth. OR of course just say, it all feels completely normal! Obviously if your tummy does feel different to the doc he should send you for an ultrasound scan. If the doc determines that your tummy is normal, then at least you can put your mind to rest that all is normal.

I hope this helps? If you alter your settings to show the photos of the tests I could look at them for you and see what I think.

[sosickofthesoundofscreaming]

Thanks - that is really helpful, and makes me feel less like I'm going crazy!

I think the answer is probably a negative, and one of the other causes that you suggest very likely.

I think I have managed to alter my pofile so that you can see the photos, but I'm not sure the quality is good enough to see what I tried to capture...

[sosickofthesoundofscreaming]

aha. I just found some customer reviews for these strips. One has helpfully added 'be warned the dye can gather in a line at the dipping end, but this is not a positive result, the results line is much higher.'

Looks like I'm just a bit fat and paranoid!!!

Thanks for your replies.