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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to ask for a ultrasound scan or is it all in my head?

30 replies

MustHaveMoreTea · 29/10/2014 07:44

Xpost for traffic as I'm currently hanging about the computer.
Right. So. Been bf almost exclusively for 8months. Besides mastitis drama and one breast being an idiot afterwards things are going well. Well, I say almost exclusively because I did spend two weeks not breastfeeding about three/four months ago due to various work commitments (fooking long story so let's just skip over it); expressed about 50ml a day but mostly formula fed. My supply came back in with the help of magic pills after job was finished so took DC off the bottle and back on boob again. All dandy.
I did however expect that my periods would come back as a result of that break in mammary transmission but they didn't! And they still haven't. I understood it to be quite normal for that to happen if you stop bf for any reason????? Right??
So.
I haven't had any serious pg symptoms as such but was feeling quite tired for a couple of weeks a while back and have gained a tiny bit of weight. Never had much symptoms with other DC either (super easy and am thankful for it!) although of course I was expecting it and paying attention to small things. Everything symptomlike so far I've just clocked up to general bfing side-effects or sleep-depravation or rubbish eating patterns.
POAS and it was negative and asked for a blood test at the GP surgery which was also negative. But I can't get this bloody nagging feeling out of my head because of that big gap in bfing?!?! Still no sign of AF. My boob supply has dropped a bit in volume. And I swear my tummy feels a bit different when I poke at it (although it could of course just be from the previous pg I'm sure.)
But I've been drinking and taking ibuprofen and aspirin and all sorts of things which I probably shouldn't be doing if I were up the duff. And if I am pg I should probably get with the programme, right? Good and rather wise friend thinks I should ask for a scan and says blood test can definitely be wrong if pg is too far along already? What is too far?
Do you think I'm just imagining it now or is she right about the whole blood test thing and I should insist on an ultrasound or something? I don't want to look like a fecking idiot or some mad woman imagining stuff by asking for something which is obviously not necessary if you know anything about conception at all????

OP posts:

Itsjustmeagain · 29/10/2014 07:49

I got pregnant while breastfeeding and it knew straight away, the symptoms were the same even though I had no periods in between dc4 and 5. I would think it is pretty unlikely you are pregnant if the blood test says not, I think even far along it would show something. IF you are really concerned though I would talk to your gp because if you feel something isnt right - it is what they are there for!

bakingtins · 29/10/2014 07:57

It took ages (months) after I stopped BF (at 1yr+) for periods to come back so that in itself isn't unusual, though some women get them back whilst still feeding, when baby starts solids or stops night feeds.
If you'd ovulated in that slot 3-4 months ago I think you'd definitely get a positive test, so I think you will get look if you ask for a scan.

TittyBojangles · 29/10/2014 07:59

I would agree its very unlikely you are pregnant and they prob wouldn't offer you a scan. Ordinarily I'd say they would prob scan you to investigate the reason for no periods but as you are bf thats already answered.

PumpkinSizedMammaries · 29/10/2014 08:05

I would imagine, if test is negative, then any symptoms are just due to hormones readjusting themselves.

eurochick · 29/10/2014 08:08

I can't imagine the blood test would be wrong. I don't think they will scan you.

Original poster

MustHaveMoreTea · 29/10/2014 08:11

Thanks for these! And baking that's good to know that it took so long to return even though you stopped bf. I've only ever read about periods coming back after stopping suddenly. I definitely don't want to be accused by some GP of being ridiculous in asking for it. Just wish I could get this sixth sense thing to stop bugging me.

OP posts:

Dinosaursdontgrowontrees · 29/10/2014 08:14

My periods also took months to return once I stopped Bf. I honestly wouldnt worry.

TinyTear · 29/10/2014 08:17

Er, if you are breastfeeding please do not take aspirin as that can go through to breastmilk. Ibuprofen and paracetamol are ok

jellybelly701 · 29/10/2014 08:19

To my knowledge your period comes back when it wants to. This could be whilst breastfeeding or months after breastfeeding. Your period not starting after 2 weeks of only expressing 50ml of milk really isn't an indication of pregnancy. So that plus negative blood and urine tests tell me that its really unlikely you are pregnant. I'm sure a doctor would agree so I really wouldn't push for a ultrasound.

FamiliesShareGerms · 29/10/2014 08:23

Other voice of doom here - almost every bit of your body is different after pregnancy, even without another pregnancy

Dexterjamesmummy · 29/10/2014 08:23

I agree it comes back when it wants to, I was breastfeeding but it came back after just 7 weeks!

jellybelly701 · 29/10/2014 08:27

I forgot to add that I am still breastfeeding my 11mo and My period returned about 6 months ago. My SIL stopped breastfeeding 3 months ago and her period has not yet returned.

Gunpowder · 29/10/2014 08:30

I think the change in your hormones when you stop or cut down on breastfeeding can make you feel pregnant. I kept thinking I was pregnant but it was my body gearing up to ovulate instead. Then I was pregnant! So maybe POAS again if you are still feeling funny in a couple of weeks.

diddl · 29/10/2014 08:31

Well you did only stop bfeeding for two weeks!

it's not at all unusual that periods didn't start then or that they still haven't now that you've upped the bfeeding again.

And you're using contraception...?

Original poster

MustHaveMoreTea · 29/10/2014 08:44

tiny Yes! Of course. Sorry, I was just grabbing for names of common meds I know you shouldn't take during pg while typing up the post fast. Am pretty sure (hopefully?!?!) that I haven't taken aspirin. Know I've taken loads of ibuprofen. :(
diddl Well, there's the clinch. Didn't take the damn contraception because I figured I would be unlikely to get pregnant if bf and it wasn't as if we were going at it like bloomin' bunnies from day one. And DH comes home knackered from work most days anyway, so DTD now refers to who makes dinner. Yes, it was only for two weeks, but I guess I am paranoid because everything I'd read up to now said that if you stop (in particular if you stop suddenly like I did) or start skipping feeds it will come back. I didn't express every day, only when I had time, but hopefully that was enough to keep the hormones okay?
families Voice of Doom would probably be a PFP, rather than a negative! LOL.
gunpowder certainly cheaper/less embarrassing than asking for a scan!
Thanks for reassurance guys! I will go knock my friend over the head with a heavy-duty spatula for telling me that the fecking blood test could be wrong if I was already like 3mnth pg or something!

OP posts:

2minsofyourtime · 29/10/2014 08:49

Blood test are quite conclusive tbh, not heard that they are unreliable after a certain date. How far along do you think you are if you were to be pregnant?

diddl · 29/10/2014 09:01

Bfeeding isn't a reliable form of contraception though!

But you've had a neg pregnancy test & blood test.

Crazeeladee · 29/10/2014 09:05

You were still expressing though, so the hormone levels were still raised to stop your AF returning.

TinyTear · 29/10/2014 09:08

It's ok, just wanted to double check. once wouldn't be too bad, don't think (I once gargled with soluble aspirin, didn't swallow and got all paranoid...)

I think you should be ok... you had the test and the blood test...

KnackeredMuchly · 29/10/2014 09:11

Blood test would have been conclusive. You're not pregnant

I had one period when breastfeeding for about 10 months, and fell pregnant at 11.5 months bfing.

randycheeseburger · 29/10/2014 09:20

you had a - pregnancy test
and - blood test?
yes yabu! get a grip these kinds of posts annoy me do you think the nhs has nothing better to spend money on ? this is why they push contraception almost as soon as you give birth! and i don't understand what bf has to do with anything? you can get pregnant before or after periods start up again.

GotToBeInItToWinIt · 29/10/2014 09:20

It took 3 months for my periods to come back after stopping breastfeeding so I wouldn't worry too much about that. If you're still feeling 'not right' it might be worth getting a general check up but it sounds like it's very unlikely that you're pregnant.

jellybelly701 · 29/10/2014 09:21

Breastfeeding isn't a form of contraception, in fact I think I read somewhere that you are slightly more likely to conceive twins whilst breastfeeding. How true this is I don't know, but my point is, you can start ovulating at anytime. Breastfeeding or no breastfeeding, and you wouldn't know you have ovulated until two weeks later when your period would come if conception hasn't occurred. Which is why I think its best to just accept that you can get pregnant at any time and take the necessary precautions if you do not wish to get pregnant.

I have been breastfeeding for 11 months and have been ovulating and fertile for about 6 of them.

Pimmsoclocknow · 29/10/2014 09:22

Another one who's still feeding and period has come back. Boo.
So not pg I reckon.

Armchair therapist suggests that this is probably more about your desire to have another baby. If it just happens then don't need to make a decision

babykonitsway · 29/10/2014 09:57

with a negative blood test there is no way you will be offered a scan. you could go to a private clinic for a scan, they cost anything from 50-100 quid, would put your mind at rest.

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