Pregnant or not...or are HPT reliable after about 18 weeks?

[dutchyoriginal]

Ok, first of all, I'm most likely not pregnant, the chances are very, very slim, but I'm wondering if I am after all.
Have 21 month DS and a lovely DH. We'd like to TTC2 later this year after I've finished my thesis. Started pill (cerazette) in September because of heavy period pains, but missed one nearly every week in Sept and Oct. Started a new job at the same time, loads of late work nights, very tired, and DH and I weren't very active because of it (BIG understatement :)) and would use condoms as backup. However, we did it once without condom. Didn't think about it anymore.

Fast forward to this month. Had a lot more heartburn than usual, stomach felt "bigger" and thought a couple of times "Hmm, if I didn't know any better, I'd think I was pregnant", but knew that was more or less impossible, at least very improbable. Then, last night, right before falling asleep, I felt flutters in my stomach, loads of them, and they've continued here and there during the day. It might very well be gass, but then again, I've never noticed gass bubbles moving towards my hand. Normal bowel movements, not overly "windy", so gass seems a bit weird as well. It really feels more like baby movements. We decided to get a HPT, POAS and it's negative. However, I know that HGC-levels drop after about 16 weeks, and if I could feel baby movements, then I'd probably be at 16 or later. Can you still use a HPT later in a pregnancy? Can't find anything on Dr. Google. Would it be really silly to call the GP tomorrow morning, see what they say?

Also, come from a line of women who seem to be quite fertile. Both DGM had 7+ children, DPGM had DF when she was 45, DMGM became menopausal after 50, DM had 5 pregnancies (2 MCs) and each time was pregnant within one cycle, sometimes even one try. DH and I got pregnant very easily as well for first 2 pregnancies (1MC).

HPT's are not reliable after 8 weeks due to the "hook effect" where the hcg levels is so high that the test malfunctions and can give a false negative. If you get a negative, you can try diluting the urine with water and seeing if you then get a positive, but it is easier to go to gp and get them to feel your tummy, they will soon be able to say if your uterus is distended or whether you just have a severe case of gas!!!! Do let us know!

eeek - I would call the GP tomorrow morning and get him to have a feel - remember to come back and tell us!

Thanx! Dr. Google only has info about how soon you can use the test, not about when it becomes useless again. :) Will phone GP tomorrow and update later. Loads of movement whilst I'm mn-ing now. :)

how exciting eeeeeeee........!

Hi, a friend of mine was scanned after missing periods and was 23 weeks pg! Hpt had been negative! So to the doctors with you! Good luck :)

Can you feel your uterus at all? It should be nearly up to navel around 16wks. I could feel it when I woke in the morning with a full bladder.
Let us know how it all goes! :)

Eek! Will def call the GP for an appointment. Am in 2 minds, good to know that you don't think I'm completely silly :), but at the same time... / Yes, we really want more DCs, but workwise the timing is a bit off [I had a plan!-whine]. Life's what happens when you're busy making other plans, I guess. :) If I'm pregnant, I will have missed the awful nausea of the other two pregnancies (another sign that I'm probably not pregnant ).

Right, off to bed now!

Well, some of the flutterings are at navel-level, but some are also lower and others are at navel-hight but more to the left side. Even after the last pregnancy, I'm still not sure what to feel for uterus-wise. :)

oohh this sounds exciting keep us updated!.
I had awfull sickness with my first but now with 2nd hardly had any at all but making up for it in other symptoms!!!
xx

Well, GP said to call the MW. The MW is going to try and squeeze me into her colleague's scan schedule this afternoon, but that's quite full, so no guarantees.

fingers crossed! oohh looking foward to the next update lol x

Hope you manage to get scanned. If you drink a cold drink and have a little prod of your tummy can you encourage any definite fluttery movements? Good luck!

I knew someone who felt vague fluttering feelings - went to see a doctor who said she was pg. She had a scan and was 19 weeks pg.

She was bf, never had a period and got pg. I would quite like to have been able to miss out on morning sickness etc but I'm sure it must have been a shock to miss half your pregnancy.

Hope your appointment goes well.

How intriguing! I think most people know of someone who didn't realise they were pregnant until quite far on. Looking forward to your update!

I get more movements after eating something sweet and lying on left side but guessing you will know soon enough either way :)

Can't wait to hear back - hope you do get a scan.

Scan in an hour... Really don't know what I'm hoping for, both options are equally appealing/scary! Both DH and I are quite broody and would really love another DC (especially since DS has just entered the terrible twos early :) ), but would also prefer this in a couple of months, until after I've finished some big workprojects.

However, will feel very silly/hypochondriatical (sp?) if I'm not pregnant, because that means I've mistaken a really big poo for a baby.

Good luck, they are obviously taking it seriously though as you have a scan already! Look forward to your update :)

dont feel silly you need to know!! good luck x

Ooooo marking spot for news

PMSL at possibly mistaking a big poo for a baby!!

Good luck for your scan x

good luck!
(just marking my place....)

Oooh, This could be 'I didn't Know I was Pregnant' (cheesy discovery home and health programme) MN stylee. Never in the Discovery version does someone mistake a massive poo for a fetus - our version is clearly superior!

Good luck!