22 weeks pregnant - still negative tests

[Hollymars]

So this is strange but bear with me.
I am currently 22 weeks pregnant with a baby boy. He is my 3rd boy
The problem is I still have not had a positive test! Even this morning's was negative. I have had no symptoms at all other than the lack of periods. And I don't even have a slight hint of a bump! Still in my size 6 jeans with a flat stomach. I'm not even sure people actually believe me when I tell them I'm pregnant.
Why can I not get a positive test? Why no bump?
I can't help but feel like there's something not quite right.

What's your midwife said about your lack of bump?

If you're 22 weeks, presumably you've had two scans? If everything was ok on the scans, then that's all you really need!

Presumably you have had 12 and 20 weeks scans? Surely they would have detected if anything was wrong

Hook effect, possibly? Maybe?

Pregnancy tests only detect up to a certain level of hcg. If your hcg is above that level, test will appear negative. This generally happens 8-13 weeks pregnant. That doesn't explain why you wouldn't have a positive test during the earlier stages though.

If you know you’re pregnant why are you doing tests

What did scans look like?

I assume you’ve seen the baby at the scans and all is measuring ok?

physicskate can you tell me a bit more about this? I am 7+1 and keep testing because I feel like I have ages to wait til 1st midwife appt and 12 week scan! I’m additcted to peeing on sticks to check and I’m still getting a dark line, but I did hear that at some point your HCG drops off so the tests wouldn’t show positive.

Were your scans normal? If so then I don't think you have anything to worry about. Not getting a positive test doesn't really matter if your scans are normal and pregnancy is progressing as expected, and as a previous poster mentioned it could be the Hook Effect at this point in your pregnancy. No bump does happen to some women, you might suddenly pop!

Thanks for replies. I have only had one scan at 20 weeks as I'd been testing negative so assumed I wasn't pregnant. It was only when I went to the gp about having no periods I found out from her feeling my stomach, she said I was about 16 weeks but even her test came back negative. She sent me for a scan and it said I was 20 weeks. All fine, happy, healthy boy.
I've only continued testing out of curiousity really, and I really want to see that second line!

@Hollymars - try diluting your wee. Half or three quarters water to half or one quarter wee. Or maybe even more water! Then stop wasting your money.

@Josico58 - there's loads of info on google. I wouldn't expect the hook effect to apply to you (yet). Basically your tests will start to get lighter when your hcg levels are above that detected by the test. Stop testing. Save your mind net and buy stuff you could use instead!!

Thanks, I’m only using the cheapie strip tests from Amazon. They were about £3 for 40

Still. The tests may start getting lighter. That's going to freak you out. And surely you'll see your midwife in a few weeks anyway (who btw won't actually confirm your pregnancy to you). You've just gotta take each day and have faith. This is going to be a really long pregnancy if you don't learn how to let go of control a little bit...

physicskate thanks for the advice

Hollymars - my friend only found out she was pregnant very late because she never had a positive pregnancy test - was confirmed by blood test and scan. I think on her case it was a PCOS complication?