Could I be pregnant?

[koalahugs]

Hi, I've nc as don't want this linked to my previous threads, but I'm looking for some advice please?

I had the Mirena coil fitted in January 2021. (My 2nd one). I had light bleeding for around 6 weeks and have had nothing since, no periods at all.

For last 3 weeks my boobs have felt really heavy and sore, especially when taking ofd my bra. And my nipples have been really sensitive and like bullets I've also felt more tired than usual although I wouldn't quite describe it as fatigued.

I don't know if this is connected, but I've also had a lot of lower back pain lately. I have a history of this and see a chiropractor every 6 weeks, but I've noticed this time that the pain has returned much sooner than normal between treatments. Some shoulder pain also? Again, im not sure if this is connected?

Anyway. I took a Clear Blue test this evening. It came up as negative so after a few minutes i left it sitting then went back to it approximately 40 minutes later to see a positive. I've heard of evaporation lines but I'm not sure if this is what it is?

I took another test and kept it beside me for about 20 minutes, and nothing has come up at all.

I'm feeling really confused at the moment

For context, I'm 40. I have a 16 year old and have been with my current partner for 6 months. Neither of us are planning more children.

Thanks in advance! (Hopefully the photo has attached).

The thing is, shop bought tests AREN’T inaccurate. This is an odd thing to say. I’m a midwife. We book women and send them for scans based solely on positive home pregnancy tests. They are as reliable as the tests they have in hospitals and GP surgeries. Sure, they are open to misinterpretation, but to say they are inaccurate is odd.

Thanks all.

Jazzer i have to say, it's left me confused too as I was under the impression you can't really get a false positive. It's a long time since i was pregnant with my dc and I had assumed tests would have got more reliable in that time. The nurse and doctor at the clinic were very nice, however I did feel quite embarrassed (as well as relieved). But the main emotion was confusion.

I had confided in a nurse friend who had previously had a placement in (i think) a sexual health clinic, and she asked if I was advised to test again in a weeks time but I was sent off with a quick Negative and antidote of never having personally seen a pregnancy with Mirena, but a couple with copper coils.

I agree with @JazzerMcCreary, the tests are generally reliable and accurate.

I appreciate that you might see it differently, but you didn’t get false positives. You got evaporation lines, and tests that you interpreted incorrectly. They can be slightly confusing when you’re in a bit of a panic, (or for others who are desperate to see a positive) but none of your tests were positive, and you are not pregnant.

You needed that confirmed with a scan, for your own peace of mind. But that doesn’t make the tests inaccurate.

@koalahugs

Thanks all.

Jazzer i have to say, it's left me confused too as I was under the impression you can't really get a false positive. It's a long time since i was pregnant with my dc and I had assumed tests would have got more reliable in that time. The nurse and doctor at the clinic were very nice, however I did feel quite embarrassed (as well as relieved). But the main emotion was confusion.

I had confided in a nurse friend who had previously had a placement in (i think) a sexual health clinic, and she asked if I was advised to test again in a weeks time but I was sent off with a quick Negative and antidote of never having personally seen a pregnancy with Mirena, but a couple with copper coils.

Well can i be the first to say (and it's not meant as an alarmist statement) that you can get pregnant with the mirena coil in. I have a 9 yr old DD to prove that fact! I continued have periods with my coil ( although lighter) and when it didn't show up one month i tested. Positive. GP sent me to gynae who scanned me and the doc there and about 4 student docs watching very carefully removed the coil, sent me away to wait as i was at risk of miscarrying. I didn't and my DD was born some 7 and a bit months later. That's not to say had circumstances been different for my family that i would have continued the pregnancy, we made the decision that was right for us at the time just as you have to for you. Anyway all that waffle to simply let you know it can and does happen.

Thanks for that derbee, I know I'm not pregnant. I've had this confirmed.
I was not disagreeing with what the medical professionals said - just simply explaining what they said.

I actually feel extremely silly after all of this and as though I have wasted an appointment and NHS time. And if I'm honest, your latest reply has made me feel even more embarrassed and silly. You have no idea the stress this had caused me this week. And yes, I misinterpreted the result....this is now clear... but I don't need my errors highlighted again. I should be allowed to feel relieved and only positive (pardon the pun) emotions from now on in.

@koalahugs I’m sorry about how you’ve responded to my comment.

You had every right to go and have an appointment. You haven’t wasted anyone’s time, and you don’t need to be embarrassed at all. If you had been pregnant, it could have been dangerous with your coil etc, so it was absolutely the right thing to be checked out if you were unsure.

I’m just pointing out that it’s not fair to say you had false positives, because you didn’t. It gives an unfair impression that home pregnancy tests are unreliable, which they aren’t.