Newbie to the forum - first time pregnancy

[FMx]

Hello all! Newbie here... My husband and I found out we are expecting on Sunday. Took 4 tests and all were positive, hubby is really excited and over the moon however I am in still in denial and although I have had several symptoms, it's really hard for me to accept that I am actually pregnant. The pregnancy wasn't planned so it's come as a complete shock.

Phoned docs yesterday as wasn't sure if I needed to make an apt or anything. The receptionist booked me straight in with the midwife on Thursday - I understand at the first apt there is just a lot of paperwork to fill in, discuss medical history etc etc - does a medical professional actually confirm that you are pregnant at any time? I understand from several Google searches over the last few days that home pg tests are considered to be extremely reliable these days and that not all docs will want to confirm. I'm just having a hard time trusting a stick (albeit 4 of them!) that I have a baby growing inside me?! Imagine turning up for your first scan and there being no baby there at all.....

Also a bit confused with my dates. I actually tested last month as I had an inkling I may have been pregnant - I had a very very very light bleed for 3 or 4 days which I noticed every time I wiped after going to the toilet. Initially I thought it was my period starting early (as I was due in about a week or so), but when it continued for a few days I thought it was a bit out of the ordinary for me so again decided to Google it, when I found that it could be implantation bleeding. The pg test I did then came back negative - I did get one of the early detection ones, but maybe it was still just too early. I then actually started bleeding heavier that same day in the same way I would when on my period (and I was actually due on anyway), and it lasted for the same length of time as a period, so I just assumed that was that.

I had been feeling very tired and had almost flu-type like symptoms for a few weeks, was very achey and my appetite had gone a bit funny. Didn't really think much of it - after all the pg test said I wasn't pregnant, so just thought I had come down with something. My breasts have also been a bit sore but they normally are anyway (thanks to having big boobs!) so I didn't really think much of that.

Now this month I have missed my period. On Sunday I was 5 days late which is very unlike me - they have been off by a day or two the last few months as I came off the pill in June (not with the aim to get pregnant), so my body has been adapting to that, but I have never been 5 days late. Hubby came home with some pg tests "just in case" and to my absolute shock the first one came back positive. Then of course I had to do 3 more to make sure - all positive.

2 of the tests were the ClearBlue dating ones. This is where I am a bit confused. They said both said 2-3 weeks however I think I would be more like 7-8. I know they are not 100% accurate and a doctor would add a week or so onto that anyway, but it is playing with my mind. I know it sounds awful, but I really don't think hubby and I have had sex since November (since I have been feeling rubbish and out of sorts). Which leads me to my next question... could my very light bleeding and then period-like bleeding all have been my implantation bleed? Even though it would have lasted about 8 or so days in total? From what I've seen online, implantation bleeding is normally very light and only lasts for a few hours/maybe a day or so. Do you think a midwife would send me for an early scan considering this?

So sorry for the long post... My head is a bit all over the place at the moment and I haven't yet spoken to anyone else about it apart from hubby. Feel so confused!!! xx

 

[Summerwine]

Hi FMx, welcome & congratulations!

I'm not sure whether all areas are the same but in my experience, no, a medical profession does not confirm the pregnancy until you see it on screen at your first scan.

2-3 weeks on a clearblue digi actually means 4-5 weeks (according to the instructions!) so depending on when you did the tests, this would tally up with very early December (and given that sperm can survive for up to 5 days, could take you back to late November).

If you bled for 8 days then it sounds more like a period than IB to me, and your midwife will probably use the first day of that bleed to work out you EDD. Your due date will change at your scan anyway though, so don't put too much emphasis on it this early.

Based on my experience, I cant imagine your midwife will send you for an early scan due to this. However, if you're feeling anxious or would like an early scan, you could always book a private one?

I hope that the midwife can settle some of your worries for you on Thursday - it can be very overwhelming discovering you are growing a new life! xx

 

[FMx]

Hi Summerwine, thank you for your reply!

We tested on Sunday and this is why I am so confused.. it's not possible that I am 4-5 weeks (like the instructions suggest) as during that time I was bleeding so wouldn't have had sex then anyway. The one time we have had sex prior to that was 18th November which was 7 weeks ago, but then I of course had this bleeding since then that was very much like a period, so it's causing me all sorts of confusion. I am pretty sure we haven't had sex since. I was definitely expecting a "3+" to show on the dating tests, but have also read that higher levels of hcg can confuse the test and provide unexpected results - so if I am indeed 7 weeks pregnant, I guess that could be an explanation.

But the bottom line is I have 4 positive pg tests and no period this month (now 7 days late).

This is driving me crazy!

I can't believe there is no "formal" way of confirming a pregnancy until a 12wk/first wk scan.

 

[Summerwine]

Oh dear - I don't know what else to suggest! Is a private scan an option? Me and my hubby did this as we knew I was as far along as the midwife said I was (late ovulation!) and the private scan confirmed what we knew.

As you've suggested, higher levels of HCG can cause problems with tests, as you get further along too, so it could easily be that!

It does feel like a long wait until the 12 week scan, I agree. Too long, if anything. We found out when I was 3 weeks and they were the sloooooowest 9 weeks ever.

 

[Amy207]

Oh my god I felt exactly the same as you. I completely understand how you feel, I went to the doctors who asked a few questions then told me I needed to book for a midwife so booked it but was still in a complete different world as I was thinking they didn’t even test to see if was definitely pregnant, then the midwife appointment came filled in all details of the huge book did a wee sample then left and I’m like no one else had done a test maybe I’m loosing my mind I might not be pregnant then the scan date came had the scan and the little foetus came up on the screen and I was like that’s not inside me I don’t feel any different a whole out of body experience and they said ooh your about 11wks 3 days pregnant (when went to Doctors they said I was about 7weeks)even the second scan still didn’t feel real!!
But I’m now 14 weeks and it’s slowly sinking in.

It’s all new for you but honestly it passes don’t worry and I think it’s totally normal to feel like you are.
Oh and congratulations (that takes some getting used to when people say it)

If you wanna chat feel free to message me. It’s nice to talk to people who go through the same situation. X

 

[FMx]

I would definitely consider having an early private scan - will wait and see what the midwife says on Thursday and then make a decision. I know it seems totally irrational but I have this fear that none of this is real and I'm going to get the scan and there is going to be no baby!! Lol. Hubby is also itching to tell family the news but until I have seen a scan I'm really reluctant to believe I am actually pregnant. I have no idea how I'm supposed to feel at the moment, I don't think I could go another 5+ weeks feeling like this waiting for a scan!

 

[Amy207]

I would definitely consider having an early private scan - will wait and see what the midwife says on Thursday and then make a decision. I know it seems totally irrational but I have this fear that none of this is real and I'm going to get the scan and there is going to be no baby!! Lol. Hubby is also itching to tell family the news but until I have seen a scan I'm really reluctant to believe I am actually pregnant. I have no idea how I'm supposed to feel at the moment, I don't think I could go another 5+ weeks feeling like this waiting for a scan!

When you see the midwife they will ask for a urine sample ask them to test it there I’m sure they won’t have a problem with that.

My other half wanted to tell the world the second after I told him I’d peed on a stick.

I was all confused about my dates when they asked so don’t worry just explain about all the bleeding they will tell you everything

 

[Shanivy]

Hey and welcome to the forum! Congrats on your pregnancy !

I've only scanned the replies. Clearblue can be a little dodgy but I'd assume if you were more like 7-8 it would have came back with a 3+. I've seen a few freak out here not getting there 3+ and it take until their 6-7 weeks to show. Plus in my opinion your bleed sounds like a period. You never know though. You know your body better than us. My first symptom with dd and this one was coming down instantly with a cold before my period was due. And I knew with dd before I tested. And had a feeling with this pregnancy even though it was a shock with the difficulty we'd had.

Maybe go for an early scan you can get some good deals at about £40?

Also they usually take your word for it about your pregnancy. You can mention it to your midwife and get her to test your sample. And also mention you don't know if you're further along or not. If you're certain it's further then say that and you might be able to get the dating scan a bit earlier.

You should definitely join your mummies group for ladies due the same month as you. That's where I mostly post and it's been a great support. Xx

 

[Loveandpeace]

Hey I wouldn't get too worked up at this stage on far along you are because a scan will show babys progress in growth and measurements, e.t.c. and they will be able to shed light on everything from that.

I had a total mix up with my dates too, going by my last period (end of April 2017), I should be due the end of this month, but when I went for the dating scan (when I should have been around 11-12 weeks), it showed I was only 7 weeks (and due 26th Feb)! What appears to have happened is that I actually skipped a period due to distress when my Mum passed away at the end of May. Our bodies arent always like clockwork I guess so you may well could have had a period whilst being pregnant, it does and can happen.
I did a clearblue digital and it proved to be wrong as well for me so I wouldn't rely on it so much either.

I know its probably all a bit surreal to you at the moment but try to relax and look after yourself. If you can afford to go for a private scan then great, otherwise try to be patient until your first dating scan (admittedly the time does seem to drag!).
My pregnancy is only really sinking in now fully at 33 weeks lol!

All the best xx