Conference moira::parenting

    I think there is a huge discussion of this in the previous
    volume of Parenting, but hey, why not start it again? :-)
    
    What the home preggo tests measure is the hormone HCG (human
    chorionic gonadotropin).  If you tested the day after your
    period, you may not have had enough HCG in your urine for the
    test to pick up.  I'd wait a couple of days and test again
    (very hard advice to follow if you're nervous/frightened/excited).
    Also do the test first thing in the morning, since HCG is most
    concentrated in the first urine of the day.
    
    Occasionally you'll get a false negative with the home tests, but
    it is very rare.  The tests are 99.99% accurate in clinical trials.
    My OB/GYN generally takes them as gospel.  
    
    Other early signs of pregnancy include:
    
    tender, sore breasts
    darkening of the areola (the area around the nipple)
    bumps on the areola (Montgomery's tubercles, I think) become more
    prominent
    tiredness
    frequent urination (because of the full uterus' pressing on the
    bladder)
    
    These are the most common signs.  Some women may notice a funny,
    metallic taste in the mouth; nausea (although mine didn't kick in till
    I was further along); suddenly feeling disgusted by or uninterested in
    foods that you used to enjoy; and of course the whole range of
    emotional symptoms, like weepiness, crabbiness, etc., etc.
    
    I did have mild cramps frequently during my first trimester with my
    first pregnancy.  Spend some time with your feet up every day if you
    can.  I also had some spotting, which frightened me (I was afraid
    I was losing the baby), and again, if this happens to you, go home and
    put your feet up and *take it easy.*  Again, this was with my first
    pregnancy, and the doctor said it probably was "implantation bleeding,"
    which means that the embryo has attached itself to the wall of the
    uterus.
    
    I guess this is a long way of saying, everyone is different.  Retake
    the preggo test in a couple of days and see if you get a different
    result.  If it's still negative, and you still haven't started your
    period and you still feel like you might be pregnant, go to the doctor.
    
    Good luck.  If you want to write me off-line, feel free to do so,
    I have been pregnant twice (plus a possible very early miscarriage),
    so I'll help you in whatever way I can.
    

    	I took a home pregnancy test the day of my period (I had a feeling
    I was pregnant) and was disappointed to find out that it was negative. 

    	I took another one the day after I was late and it was still
    negative.

    	I took one two days after I was late and it was late again.
    (Meanwhile my husband and my pocketbook thought I was nuts).

    	On the third day after I was late, two separate tests (this was
    starting to get ridiculous) turned up positive.

    	I am currently in the middle of my fourth month.

    	In my particular case, I tend to ovulate around day 18 and so it
    takes a little longer than normal for the HCG to get concentrated
    enough to show up for the test with me.


    				Wendy

    
    Like .1 has said you should wait a little while before taking the
    test, you should really wait a week.  I know it's very hard to do that.
    
    Good luck.  And if you would like to talk off line please feel free to
    send me mail
    
    Lisa  
    
    

    With me the first signs I had were basicly just like the base noter.  I
    had tender breasts and some slight cramping, which kinda scared me
    cause I had a miscarrage 3 months earlier.  I had no morning sickness
    and just started to feel really tired, besides having the tender
    breasts.  I waited about 2 weeks and took a home pregnancy test which
    confirmed my thoughts and then called my primary care physcian and he
    did a blood test which gave him the blood count of HCG.  Then I called
    my OB and made my first appt. with them.
    
    Most people are different in showing signs of pregnancy.  My girlfriend
    had allday sickness and every other sign of pregnancy, as did my
    sister-in-law.
    
    Like Kate meantioned in .1 wait another week and take another home test
    and if it comes back negative call the doctor and have a blood test
    done.
    
    
    Good luck, I hope this is what you want.
    
    Liz

My doctor's office took a test on a thursday which came out negative - he told
me that if I hadnt started by Monday to come in and get another taken, which I
did.  This one came out positive.  Im now in the middle of my 5th month.

Maureen

    In my case the only sign I had was the veins in my breast were
    much more visible...but in my case they were not tender although
    I do get that when I am premenstral..
    
    Everyone is different!
    

    
    Everyone's replies have been great but varied.  The best solution, if
    you can hold out, is to wait 5 or 6 days from the last time you tested. 
    
    It was strange with me because the only times I was ever late was when
    I was pregnant (2 pregnancies and 1 miscarriage). I have never had any
    of the early "symptoms" except being tired.  So tired, in fact, that I
    was actually falling asleep while sitting up at my desk.  This happened
    even before I was late.  With my last pregnancy I didn't realize it
    until one week later that I was late and I took the test on the 7th day
    of being late and it came out positive.  It is so incredibly tough to
    wait -- my husband and I were trying to get pregnant for a year after
    the miscarriage and I insisted every month I was pregnant.  I actually
    bought a home test every month because I was always too anxious to
    wait, so I can understand.  At any rate, good luck in being patient and
    the best of happiness to you!
    
    SIDE NOTE:  When I was approximately 2 weeks after conception (I had no
    idea I was pregnant then), my 3 1/2 hr old daughter told me during
    dinner that I had a baby in my belly and it was a boy.  Needless to
    say, 3 weeks later after viewing a positive pregnancy test I thought
    how amazing it was that she had said this.  Especially since my husband
    and I weren't trying in any possible way of having any more children!!
    And, yes, we did have a boy.
    
    Lisa

    I wasn't sure if I was pregnant or not.  I was doing the temperature
    method because my doctor thought I might have a syst (sp?).  I knew I
    had ovulated but wasn't sure if it worked.  About a week before my
    period was due my breast got extremely sore (which they never did
    before).  I was due on a Friday.  I had cramps all day Saturday,
    thought for sure my period was coming.  By Monday I went to the doctor
    - Tuesday I found out I was pregnant.  I am now 13 weeks.
    
    I never had any nauesa, my breast were only sore for about 4 weeks, I
    still like everything (food wise), only problem - tiredness!!  I go to
    bed at 8:00 (usually don't go to bed until 11:00).
    
    To be honest if the doctor had not of told me I was pregnant I would
    have never really known.
    
    Good Luck!

    
    I too had strong cramping in the very beginning of my pregnancy. In
    fact, that is how I found out I was pregnant. I had made a dr's appt to 
    have him look into this awful low cramping I was having (and had had
    plenty of times before). I told him I was actually due that "day" for
    my period (and he knew we were trying) so he suggested that we take a
    test to be sure. Being let down so many other times (6 mos) i didn't
    think anything of it until he walked in and said "thats your problem,
    Youre pregnant!"...  he explained that it could be the egg trying to
    attach to the wall of the uterus...  ???  and that I was just very 
    "in tune" with any and all sensations..
    
    I continued to have low cramping throughout my pregnancy, some times
    stronger than other, and my OB said it was due to "ligaments
    stretching"...
    
    Good luck!
    
    Chris
    

    Although my home test came out positive one day after missing my period
    I started noticing signs of it about one week before that.  I was tired
    (falling asleep at my desk every day at 2PM!), nauseous, my breasts
    were swollen and sore, plus the veins in my breasts were much more
    prominent.  I also had another sign that I haven't seen anyone else
    mention here...the center of each nipple was whitish in color and the
    skin was changing noticeably.  And yes, the glands were multiplying and
    becoming bigger.  Has anybody else noticed the whiteness at the center
    of the nipple?
    
    I am now in the middle of my 12th week.
    
    Good luck!
    
    Lynn
    

    Lynn, just curious, did you notice the whitish color a week before you
    took the test? Or after you knew you were pregnant? I was just
    wondering if this may happen very early in the pregnancy or later on in
    the 1st trimester.
    
    Sandy

	I had something I've never heard of - an itchy stomach!!  The
	skin was very dry and flakey.   It started immediately after 
	conception and although I still have it somewhat (week 26 now), 
	it lost its intensity after a few weeks.  Next time, I'll know
	what it means!

	I have no idea what causes the itching.  Has anyone else had
	a strange sign like this?

	Linda

    
    
    	I had no signs, and in fact, felt like I was going to get my period
    (cramping, sore breasts, etc.)  It never came, so I took a test when I
    was a week late, and sure enough, it was positive!  Kinda surprised us!
    
    	I had waves of neasea, but was never sick, and generally had a hard
    time believing I was pregnant until I started showing!
    
    	Justine

It took me a while to catch on that I was pregnant.

Two weeks after we got back from our honeymoon, I had cramping, swelling
in my breasts and spotting.  Normally I get cramps and swelling but the
light period was unusual.  I thought it was because of our trip to Europe.

The following month I felt dizzy, had a slight temperature, and was terribly
nauseous.  I thought it was the flu.  But when I didn't get my period I 
finally caught on and took a pregnancy test, which came out positive.

The baby is due in December.

- Cathy
    

	I'm really glad you started this note, I'm 13 and 1/2 weeks pregnant
        and I was nervous for a week before I found out positively that I
        was pregnant.  We were trying, but I was trying not to get my hopes
        up incase the test was negative.  I did 2 home tests 2 days apart
	the first one I did in the evening and it showed up positive after
	2 hours.  The box said if it didn't show up positive in 5 minutes 
 	then it was negative and showing up positive later was just the
	chemicals reacting.  I was disappoint but still thought I was 
	pregnant and hoped I was right.  I waited 2 days and did the next
	one in the morning.  (It's so hard to wait and keep your mind off
	of it)  That test showed up positive after 10 minutes so I was 
	pretty sure but still not convinced.  The next day at lunch I
	went to a walk in place that did blood test and after waiting 
	1 hour (the longest hour of my life) the nurse said the result
	was positive.  I still didn't feel any different though so it
	was still hard to believe.  I called my doctor and they scheduled
	an appointment for 2 weeks after that (Again I had to wait)
	She did a urine test which was positive and then sent me for 
	blood work.

	Now I'm 13 and 1/2 and it's still hard to believe, we went to hear
	the heart beat last week and the doctor heard it but we couldn't
	because she couldn't find it again (she said the baby must have
	moved) and since the instrument was only attached to a stethascope
	instead of a speaker we didn't hear it when she did.  I was very
	disappoint for a day or so, but what can I do except be patient...
	It's just so hard.  My next appointment is Nov. 3rd and I'll definitely
	be able to hear the baby's heart beat then.  Plus I'll be bigger,
	already my clothes are really tight and some are too uncomfortable.
	I guess I'm just a worrier.  I'm really happy to be pregnant and
	anxious to feel the baby kick or move.

	I have been nausaus in the morning, but nothing too bad, that started
	the week after I found out I was pregnant, and I still wasn't 
	convinced, I kept thinking it was just my mind playing tricks on me.

	Good luck, I hope you get the results you want
	Karen :)

    
    re: -1 Karen....
    
    Its normal to not be "convinced" even at 13 weeks that you are
    pregnant. I think even after hearing the heartbeat, it still took
    until I felt the first movements to REALLY and TRULEY believe there 
    was a baby in there!
    
    Hang in there!  Before you know it, the baby will be kickin the heck
    out of you and you'll be wondering why you worried!  Also, there will
    always be a bit of worrying till the day you deliver and know
    everything is "OK"!
    
    Take care and enjoy your pregnancies!  Its a real amazing thing!
    
    Chris
    (who can't wait till the next one!)
    

    Re. .11
    
    I did notice the whitish color prior to having a confirmed pregnancy
    test, which of course led me to believe that I might be pregnant.  The
    color is still there, fluctuating a little, but it seems to be flaky
    skin sometimes, as though the nipple is getting ready for breast
    feeding.  
    
    It's amazing how we each have such different experiences!
    
    Lynn
    

    
    
    Re. .13    Hi Linda,
    
    Try using some kind of cream or lotion it's your skin drying out
    and stretching making room for the baby now, no idea why you got
    it so soon, you said  you got it right after conception.  I had
    it after I started showing.  
    
    Good Luck.  Let me know if the cream helps!  
    
    Lisa

    To anyone who has gone through only one pregnancy, don't feel like you
    know what to expect the next time around!  My pregnancies started out
    very differently.
    
    My first, I was scheduled for surgery the day I was due to start my
    period...the hospital did a pregnancy test two days before the surgery
    that was negative.  I had the surgery and two weeks later when I
    still had not started and had a yeast infection was when I found out
    that yes indeed I was pregnant.  A pretty scary beginning, having the
    surgery and then being on pain medication for a good week to week and
    a half not knowing there was this precious little baby boy growing 
    inside of me.  I had virtually no symptoms besides the missed period
    (which I thought was due to the stress of having surgery).  I never
    had morning sickness, sore breasts or any of the other common signs
    you hear about.  I had to do a home test even after going to the doctor
    because I wasn't convinced since I didn't see the results that I really
    was pregnant.  Boy was I ecstatic when I saw that stick turn blue for
    myself!  Oh I did have some heartburn, but thought that was somehow
    related to the anesthetic (sp) or something.
    
    My second pregnancy (I'm due in 9 weeks), I felt dizzy, had the
    heartburn, excessively tired, etc. 2 weeks before I got a + test.
    I also had morning sickness this time, which started at about 6 1/2
    weeks.  My itchy tummy on both pregnancies started somewhat later,
    towards the end of the first trimester I think, and lasts through
    the end.  My nipples didn't get darker with either pregnancy, just
    bigger.  The tiredness has lasted throughout most of this pregnancy,
    but I figure that has alot to do with not only the pregnancy, but
    working a full time job and then going home to a very active almost
    2 year old!  I wouldn't trade it for the world though...I love being
    a mom, and I love being pregnant.  When you start to feel the baby
    kick, is one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had, and
    it gets better as the pregnancy progresses.
    
    To all those expecting and hoping to be expecting, congratulations,
    best wishes and ENJOY!
    
    Von

    
    I had a similiar experience to many sighted here. Cramping starting a
    week after conceptiona dn lasting for 2-3 weeks. I really wanted to be
    pregnant but for the whole time I thought it was my period. I've have
    notoriously painful periods since day one so it seemed natural that
    this was just a continuation. 
    
    After taking a home test that was positive, 3 days after a late period
    I waited two more weeks to go for an 'official' test at the doctors
    office. My husband just wouldn't believe it until I had it done at the
    doctors office.
    
    I haven't had many other signs since then (I'm 12.5 weeks) until now.
    My stomach is terribly itchy, and I am tired ALL THE TIME.
    
    Barbara
    

    
    I have a question about ovulation. Without doing the basal body temp
    thing, if your cycles are not exactly 28 days but 30 days, would you
    still ovulate around day 14?  My husband and I are trying to conceive
    for #2 and I was unsure of this one. As of right now the 14th day for
    me would be Nov 10th. Any info?
    
    Thanks
    Sandy

    RE: -1
    
    Normally the first half of the cycle is the half that fluctuates based
    upon the length of your cycle and normally you have 14 days between
    your day of ovulation and the day you would normally start you period. 
    So if you fall into the "average" category you should ovulate about 
    day 16.
    
    Again the above is an average.  The only way you can really determine
    when you ovulate is carefully watching your morning basal temp. and
    when you notice a spike upward that signals that you HAVE ovulated. 
    Ovulating normally occurs the day prior to the temp. spike.
    
    Hope this helps......
    

After the temperature drop & then the spike, what does it mean if the
temperature stays up verus if it goes back to around where it was prior
to ovulation.  Maybe it doesn't mean anything at all ?  ... 

Also, does anyone have a good book on fertility to recommend ?

Thanks,

Leslie

    This is what is expected if you're pregnant.
    
    Good luck! 
    
    Malcolm
    
    

    
    Re. .24
    
    As the last note said, after ovulation, if conception has occured, 
    your temp should STAY UP, and not drop back down.  This was how I
    had an idea I was pregnant before my actual test...  
    
    Let us know!
    Best Wishes,
    
    Chris
    

    Actually, your temperature stays up for the remainder of your cycle,
    and then dips again just before you start your period.  If it stays up
    when you expect your period, that is an indication that you may be
    pregnant, or you could just be late.
    
    Cathy

	I'm not so sure that's true.  I thought that the post-ovulation
	temperature stayed elevated until the next menstrual cycle.
	In fact, from my reading, a woman's cycle is bi-phasic.  The
	temperatures prior to ovulation, for the average woman, range
	from 97.4 to 97.8, then drop anywhere from .4 to 1.0 degrees
	just before ovulation.  After (or at the time of ovulation), the
	temperature dramatically increases to 98 or higher, where it
	tends to stay until the next cycle.  Charting, that would 
	show two clear phases to the cylce, pre-ovulation (97.something
	range) and post-ovulation (98.something range).

	Can someone verify these responses with quoted text, perhaps??

	Karen

	Whoops, Cathy slipped in before me!!!  My reply was in
	reference to .25 and .26.

This note is being entered for a member of our community who wishes to
remain anonymous at this time.

    Carol duBois, PARENTING co-moderator

******************************************************

    If you conceive at ovulation is it possible to have pregnancy symptoms
    (eg nausea or full bladder or tender breasts etc) *before* your period
    is due, even 10 days before it is due?

    My period is due in 10 days or so and something I've noticed that is 
    unusual for me is a full bladder, especially early in the morning (between
    5 and 8).  I've also noticed that coffee doesn't taste as nice although
    I did stop smoking 2 weeks ago.  Or could these be side effects to folic
    acid tablets as I started taking them 6 days ago?

    Thanks for your responses.

A couple of things occur to me.  First, I believe caffeine is a diuretic 
(increases the production of urine).  If you have been compentating for 
coffee not tasting as nice by drinking more coffee, your bladder will get 
fuller not only because of the increase liquid intake, but also because of 
the diuretic effect (though for me it works pretty quickly, within a couple 
of hours).   Also, if you were smoking when you drank your coffee, that would 
almost certainly make the coffee taste different.

Clay  

	With my daughter, my symptoms started about 5 days before
	my period was due.  

	I didn't have many symptoms with my son, even a week or two
	after my (missed) period.

	Karen

    
    
    
    	I didn't have any symtomps until I was bout 5 days late, then it
    seemed like I couldn't keep my eyes open - I did go alot more but, I
    was drinking alot of water on weight watchers.
    
    In the last week (I'm 4 1/2 month pregnant) I can't stand the smell of
    flavored coffee - and coffee in general doesn't turn me on - I use to
    drink 2 cups a day - had to have it after lunch.. 
    
    
    
    	best of luck.. 
    
    Donna

    
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-----------------------------------------------------------------------

I was wondering if any of you knew if you could use a pregnany test kit
prior to the first day of your missed period and still get accurate results
either way.  All the different brands say "as early as the first day of
your missed period"  Are they not accurate prior to that day?  Is a week
prior to that day close enough?

Have any of you used them prior to that day and gotten accurate results?

    With my second pregnancy, I tried one within a day or two after I
    expected my period. It came back negative. A few days later it was
    positive. It measures the level of hcg ( a hormone related to
    pregnancy) and needs sufficient amounts to test positive. So, a 
    positive result is pretty accurate; a negative result may mean wait
    a few days.
    Hope this helps -
    Sue
    

    I know this is hard when you are relly trying for a baby, but patience. 
    Even with the most sensitive urine tests, I have to be a week overdue
    for POSITIVE results.  A serum test from your Dr. will show earlier,
    but why go through that, unless there is a critical reason, such as
    possible exposure to hazardous materials or such?
    
    meg
    

It was just about 3 years ago and thanks to the records in my Franklin
DayPlanner, I know when I took my home pregnancy test relative to my 
period due date!  I did mine in the evening (and supposedly the hcg is at its
highest concentration in the morning), and it was 2 days after my period
was due.  (I wasn't going to take it until I was a week overdue, but I just
couldn't stand it anymore :-)

I also had a blood test 5 days before my period was due.  (I was scheduled
for an endometrial biopsy and they don't like to do them when you're pregnant).
I tested negative then.  

What do they cost, $10?  If you feel like you can drop a few $10 bills,
take it as early as you want.  You probably have a better chance of
accuracy taking it first thing in the morning.  And remember that a negative
test may be a false negative.  It's up to you if you want to get on this
particular emotional roller coaster and potentially drop one or more 
unnecessary $10.

    I did the home test the first day late, and it tested positive and was
    correct.  This was 9 years ago.
    
    Karen
    

you can't count on it before you are due.  You can get a false
positive if you hit the point when the corpus luteus is first
released. (as explained to me by the test company's hot line
when I tested positive the day I was due, but my period started
later in the day).

wait a day or two.....

Pat

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-------------------------------------

Is it possible to be pregnant but still be having normal periods (ie of 
normal duration and flow?). If so, is it possible these could last the 
full nine months? 

--------------------------------------

    
    i know of at least one woman, although not personnally.  she was on the 
    News about a month or two ago.  she did not have any idea that she was 
    pregnant because she had her period regularly for the 9 months that she 
    was pregnant.
    
    jo

    Another person who would like to know how long you could have your
    cycle for while pregnant?  I know of several women that said they had
    theirs for a month and even in one case three months before it stopped
    completely but I'm wondering how much of a cycle you have.  Is it a
    normal cycle but only for one day or is it a light cycle for several
    days?
    
    Thanks..
    cj

    cj,
    
    with Atlehi, I had one day, right on time, where I had a big gush of
    blood and thouught my period had started.  It went away in about 3
    hours.  Never had another one until she was 14 months old.  
    
    meg

    
      I had mine with my third baby, the doctor gave me medication to
    stop it. I didn't know I was pregnant at that time, in fact I went
    to the doctors because I had the iud in and I had my period for over
    a week. He removed the IUD and then told me to take the medication to
    stop the bleeing. I recall my mom stating that with one baby she
    had her period most of time she was pregnant, that was my brother Dave.
    
       I would say that if you do have your period, suspect your pregnant,
    have it checked out. This prenatal check could be a very important
    visit if you are pregnant.  Things may be perfectly fine, but it's
    better to have a doctor check that. 
    
       So, it IS possible to have your period and be pregnant.
        Rosie