Pregnancy Probability is very low but weird symptoms

[Verbena17]

Hi
So last July I missed 2 periods and I had morning sickness for a couple of weeks. I never miss periods ever. My cycle was always bang on every 3 weeks. I’m in my 40’s so decided to test….even though DH had a vasectomy 10 yrs ago (although failure/rejoining can apparently happen around the 10yr mark).

Took 2 tests and both negative (although I’ve read since that some babies can produce low levels of HCG). Was mainly relieved I guess. Mostly because I thought I would feel sorry for a baby having an older mum - although I’ve now back tracked on that idea.
I think I would be about 31 weeks - can’t work it out from last period because I’ve been having periods on and off since - but unusual and not bang on the date like before.

So for the past 5 or so months, I have gone along thinking I wasn’t pregnant.
Then suddenly over the course of maybe 1.5 weeks to now, my stomach has enlarged so much I look about how pregnant I would be if I had fallen pregnant mid July. I never really get bloated…maybe a teeny bit before a period but not that I would need to undo my jeans. I’m currently sat with my jeans completely undone. I’ve actually been wearing a scarf all week because it’s so obvious.

So my symptoms are these….
A ‘baby bump’ shape from under bust and a ‘b-belly’ (I’m overweight but my stomach was just generally overweight- not a baby bump shape).

The c-section pouch I’ve had for years has doubled in size (pushed out).
For the past 1.5 weeks, I’ve been eating very small amounts yet haven’t noticed any change in size shape as you normally would.

I’m feeling flutters/small kicks/what feel like subtle movements (I’ve had phantom kicks before but these are daily now) but not huge kicks (although they might not be that obvious at this stage if I had anterior placenta and due to my weight.

Feeling really full after eating not much.
Having lots of burping wind and I did have heartburn a lot around Xmas time but not now.

Yesterday and today, I’ve been having those grinding type tweak feelings really low down in my groins/tops of legs. The only time I’ve ever had those is in 3rd tri pregnancy.

Need to bend down with legs apart or it’s uncomfortable.

i had none of these symptoms before 1.5 weeks ago.

It’s driving me crazy and in my head I know the odds of the vasectomy failing, me still having periods and the movements not being phantom/gas are all very low but not sure a test would show this late would it?

I would assume a test would still show regardless how pregnant you are? Surely even with the hook effect you’d still be getting a positive!

Was just reading about the Hook effect and it said even in someone who is very obviously pregnant, it can show as false neg.

If it is the hook affect it will show if you dilute your urine with an equal amount of water and then use that to test. The jury’s still out on whether the hook affect is really a thing though. It never was for me, I had strong positives all the way through

I would just book private scan, if it's pregnancy you will see for sure. I had very similar symptoms to yours and also was convinced I'm pregnant, turned out to be blood trapped in uterus. Flutters and enlarged belly were results of old blood building up. Luckily mine cleared up on its own but it took nearly 3 months of doctors going back and forth then waiting for scan, I could end up with sepsis. Either way pregnancy or not it's best to check with scan as soon as possible.

Thanks @Moni81 that’s a good idea. I hadn’t heard of blood being trapped in the uterus. Glad you were ok and didn’t get sepsis.
so far I’ve not mentioned it to DH - just been subtly hiding the ‘bump’. I was so stressed in July when I thought I was pregnant and knew he would be stressed with the possibility of a 3rd child.

I’ve just looked up the hematometra and I don’t seem to have symptoms like that I don’t think. No pelvic/abdo pain/cramping etc.

There is no point guessing, the only way to find out if you are pregnant or having some other gynecological problems is to have scan. You can go private or try GP, but they will most likely not treat it as urgent and you will have to wait longer for scan.

I have to agree with Moni81@Verbena17. I think getting an ultrasound to rule out other possibilities and know for sure if it's a baby or not will help you know exactly what needs to be done. (Think about it this way - pregnant or not, if there's a problem internally, an ultrasound is typically the best way to find out. If you are pregnant, it'll help you know what to expect in advance. If you're not pregnant, it could save your life.).

Considering the possibilities I wouldn't rule anything out on your own just yet - keep a food mood poop journal, try to pay attention to the subtle things and share it with the doctor (I've found that to help with convincing them what my situation is the fastest without expecting them to ask questions like a mind-reader would).

As a side note, if you ping me with what you find yourself craving, I might be able to pinpoint what you're low in nutritionally? It can be challenging handling menstruation that isn't consistent - I had that happen for a while, and found it was linked to a dermoid cyst. I ate certain herbs and it seemed to resolve itself - and now I'm expecting my 3rd kid despite the odds. Regardless what happens, we're rooting for you and I'm happy to discuss this further in PM if you want.

Thanks @Moni81 .
Thanks @EeveeM - the top of my stomach feels softer and not as big this morning so maybe it is bloating for some reason.
I’ll monitor it this weekend and if nothing changes will book in for a scan.

I’ve still not got my period this month- over a week and a half late than the norm. I also think that I would be so excited to be pregnant again, that my mind is maybe playing tricks on me - making me feel pregnant!

Thanks for your suggestions 😊

Negative tests and GP think is it’s inflamed large intestine so testing that too.
Phew! The movements in my abdomen though were just like a baby moving - my brain was a right old mess yesterday!

@Verbena17 Okinawa Tea helped me overcome that for my own needs, but it's something that needs to be consistent to make a change. From memory, it's:
-- ECGC (green tea - preferrably the kind you can cold soak)
-- inulin (burdock root, dandelion root,)
piperine (black pepper, paprika, purslane) < also rich in vitamin K
-- hibiscus flower (the herb hibiscus - soak it, it'll add a cranberry taste to it in addition).

To balance out the inulin taste, I personally like to add horehound herb, since it mellows it out - but to each their own. I hope this helps you somehow. Feel free to research at your leisure and consider if it's worth your time. :)

@EeveeM gosh that sounds tricky and very involved! If it was in a teabag I could cope!

Turned up for a blood test today (GP said the other day I need blood test to check my ovaries and I assumed he meant FSH levels) and when I asked what they were testing for, the nurse said what did I think they were testing me for. I said FSH and she didn’t say anything. I then asked again and she said ‘I can’t tell you’. I was like what? It’s my blood! Her assistant saw me getting annoyed and finally admitted he had ordered a CA125 test and should have told me and that they’re not allowed to tell patients. 🤔

How strange he didn’t say. So now, not pregnant but waiting to see results of that test.