Pregnancy and zika

[sprinkleofsunshine]

Hi all,

DH and I are wanting to start ttc soon. We returned from Mexico about 8 weeks ago and are aware that nhs guidance is to wait 6 months if you have both travelled.

We had unprotected sex around 2 weeks ago and I took the MAP around 26 hours later. Since then I've not had any bleeding but have had very bad bloating, an uncomfortable full feeling that is pushing on my ribs, sore to the touch ribs and tender breasts. I am not due on for another 2 weeks but clinic advised to test next week to see if MAP had worked.

I didn't want to take the MAP but did so on basis of the NHS advice. There's probably little chance I am pregnant as I wasn't due to ovulate until a few days later when we had unprotected sex.

Part of me wants the test to be positive as this is something we have both wanted for some time & have had some issues on past (mc) but I know if I am I will worry the whole pregnancy about the possibility of zika. I believe they can't tell until around 19 weeks?

Has anyone else been in a similar position?

And sorry posted this in pregnancy also but not sure of right place!

Thanks everyone xx

Anyone?

I'll also add that I keep feeling very low of energy (shaking etc) when I haven't eat for a while but much earlier than I would usually get this. Today I am feeling quite 'off' shakey, feeling sick, headache. I. Probably reading too much into it but perhaps I'm feeling some of this in the small hope I am pregnant!

I've not been in this position, but I can't imagine how stressful this must be for you. Just wanted to let you know that my thoughts are with you and I hope that the outcome of this situation is a positive one for you and your DH.

@Enirroc7 thank you so much!

I believe there is a test you can get, you have to pay privately and it’s about £200ish but it might be worth it for peace of mind?

I don’t know that much about it but looked into briefly as we went to a zika honeymoon destination. In the end we decided to wait for 6 months instead so never went any further with it.

This is the one I looked at in London
www.londondoctorsclinic.co.uk/services/after-travel-health-check/zika-virus-testing/ but there are many others

Thanks @HellaBella0 I had heard about them but haven't looked into it properly. I guess if when I test it's a bfp I will look into private testing at that stage.

Have you passed the 6 months now? That was our plan and will continue to be if I'm not now. It's so hard when you're ready- we only went away because it was mil's 60th and the whole family were making an effort and we thought we would be fine to wait.

I know I'll still worry after the 6 months however!

Yes we’ve just passed the 6 month mark so are in our first month ttc. Where we went is a moderate risk (rather than high) and we didn’t really get bitten so I’m not too worried.

However we have turned down a big family holiday to Mexico next year as didn’t want to have to wait another 6 months.

Do you have a very long cycle OP? Because I’m struggling a bit with how you could have had sex 2 weeks ago and still be 2 weeks away from your period but worried that you’re pregnant (I get that you might have had sex at the start of your period but you’d be v unlikely to be pregnant in that case). That’s not intended to be critical by the way, I’m just a bit confused about the timings.

In any event, if it’s 2 weeks since you had sex you should get a positive on a sensitive test so I’d start with that.

In terms of the Zika virus, I don’t know about the test that HelkaBella0 mentioned (I presume a maternal test for infection), but certainly the NHS can scan for signs of microcephaly so if you are pg you need to make the risk clear at your booking appointment. I don’t knew at what stage it becomes apparent in Zika infection, so you might need v regular scans. Also (and I know that this is obvious) your pregnancy wouldn’t be at risk unless you caught the virus, and you very well may not have done.

@HellaBella0 hope all goes well for you! It crossed our mind not to go also but with everyone else going we decided to and that 6 months wasn't a long time to wait. Although it seems the longest when you are waiting to ttc. Neither of us got bitten (that I know of also and also a moderate zone) Good luck!

We have come back from Mexico recently and are still TTC, whilst obviously any risk is awful, there have been incredibly few cases of actual issues with infants (relatively), including mothers living in high risk areas. I've been told if you are symptomatic, with flu like symptoms they will test on the NHS, particularly if pregnant... this article might be of some interest... www.pri.org/stories/2016-11-01/zika-s-million-dollar-question-where-are-birth-defects

Xx

Hi @TreaterAnita I had my last period 5-10 Nov and we had unprotected sex on the 12th. The fertility calendar I use says that I would have been ovulating 13-18 but it would have been a very low risk on 12th.
I don't track my ovulation myself to know if it's correct however.

Thank you for your advice.

Hi @TheSarahChronicles thanks, that's good to know! I feel awful today but nothing when we returned and that was a while ago.

Tbh I think there is a very low risk I'm pregnant anyway and especially after taking the MAP I think I just want to be pregnant even though I would be worried the whole time!