Really need advice please

[DML221]

hi! my husband and I have decided to start trying for our first baby. my periods are so irregular that I don't really know when they will start and have no idea when I'm ovulating. (I should mention I've had smears and tissue taken and the results were fine). (Also sometimes I do cramp for about a week or two before I begin my period). When we FIRST tried to conceive, I had already been experiencing the usual period cramps for about two days beforehand. At this stage I was NOT pregnant. That night, after what was hopefully conception I awoke in the middle of the night to cramping in the middle of my lower abdomomen. I've continued having cramps for a week now and still don't have my period. I also took a test five days after which I do know is way too early but curiosity got the better of me, and it of course came up negative. My question is this, can you still conceive even when you have already started having your period cramps?

[Slave2thecat]

Pre- Period and pre conception felt very much the same to me, similar symptoms. Try not to over think it (easier said than done!). Test again in a day or two with fmu if AF hasn't arrived.

Good luck :)

[SweetMummy911]

I agree with Slave the two can be very similar and often confused. I too would wait and test closer to the time - most pregnancy tests these days can you give you a fairly good answer as early as 4 days before your AF is due. Wait a few more days - your hormone levels increase each day so you have a bigger chance to test positive if you wait

[DML221]

Thankyou for you're messages, but could I actually be pregnant if I was already having period cramps a couple of days before trying to conceive? I know I definitly wasn't pregnant before ttc. That is what is confusing me. Thanks again :)

[SweetMummy911]

When you are TTC you are more in tune with your body and you tend to over analysis "symptoms" that maybe you have ignored in the past (I should know - I have been through this process twice already and currently TTC number 2 ).

Did you take an ovulation test? Sometimes cramps could also indicate ovulation (I know I get them sometime I believe they are called mittelschmerz - Google it, it's an interesting read) some women experience them stronger than others.

Simply put - if you had unprotected intercourse in or around the time of ovulation there is a good chance you might be pregnant. How many days is it since your last unprotected intercourse? The earliest result I got was 11dpo.

[DML221]

Thanks for your reply. That was the first time we ttc and also the first time we haven't used protection and we haven't done anything for months because my husband works away. I didn't do an ovulation test sadly but if I am not pregnant this time I will get one of the kits.

[bairnsangs]

It sounds like your cycle is pretty confusing - do you track using an app? I'd recommend Dot for a very simple approach that will be able to give you feedback regarding your cycle length and regularity (over time obvs) and Ovia for more detailed cycle tracking when TTC.

The only way to confirm ovulation is using temps and cervical mucous tracking. If you don't get lucky within a couple of cycles (fx for you) then you might want to consider temp/cm tracking. The Impatient Woman's Guide to Getting Pregnant is helpful for all of this!

But as PP have said, you're probably best to wait the two weeks after you think ov happened and then test. I try to hold out until the day before or day AF is expected before I test. Saves money and stress!

[BoBo90]

I also think this might be ovulation pains! I have horrible ov pains for about a week. I also have this multiple times in a cycle as I seem to struggle to ovulate. If you periods are irregular you may be the same.

Have you recently stopped the pill?

Maybe get some opks for next cycle so you can pin point ovulation and work out what those pains are best of luck x