Delayed Period: Should I Get a Blood Test for Pregnancy?

Question
Hello Kristy,
I am 2 months late and was wondering since I already sense that I am not pregnant plus every urine test I take at home and clinic is neg should I still take a blood test to confirm? I want to loose some weight but I dont know if i am pregnant. I dont want to do anything to hurt the baby. i just dont understand what is going on. My bf and i have been very intimate all november and I dont use birth controll and he dont pull out. At first I was very positive that i was pregnant because of this and I haven't missed a month ever in my life, but I guess this was a coinsedience. I dont know what to do. I can't seem to get a blood test and i dont know how would I ask for a ultrasound to see if anything is in there when my test are neg.
I am very confused at the moment because weeks ago I had a brown spot(which happened over night) as if my period was coming but it never came, and i dont have nay symptom other than a late period. I am very curious to know what maybe going wrong.  

Answer
Hi Victoria :)

Given that you are 2 months late, I would think that your tests at this point would be fairly accurate. However, I am curious to know when you took those tests, and what time of day. This does make a huge difference.

Sometimes, ladies simply take tests to early. The HCG levels in their urine are very low, due to early pregnancy. So, if they do the test to early, then they will get a false negative. Its it absolutely essential, that you do pregnancy urine tests first thing in the morning. Your urine is much more concentrate in the morning, so if you pregnant, the pregnancy hormone will be much more prominate in the morning, and this will give you an accurate result.

The same rule, goes for the the urine pregnancy screens at the doctors office. If you do the test in the afternoon, yet had fluids to drink earlier in the day, this will dillute your urine, and could give you another false negative test, because the pregnancy hormone has been dilluted, and weakened. The urine pregnancy tests at the doctors, are identicle to home pregnancy tests, and its very possible that false results can be a result of early testing, and dilluted urine.

Now, that brown spotting you talked about. Its very possible that this could have been a symptoms of implantation bleeding. Implantation bleeding, isnt always bleeding. It can be light, sparadic, or spotty. Its usually described, as dark brown in colour, or light pink. Some women also get mild period like cramping as well, so this does make some beleive what they are experiencing is a irregular period, when in actual fact, its a symptom of pregnancy. Its often overlooked as a period, because it happens usually around the time when a period is due. I noticed you said that this happened "weeks" ago ..so this very well could have been implantation bleeding ...

Implantation bleeding is when the fertilized egg implants itself into the uterine lining. When this occurs, spotting and bleeding occur ..it can be spotting episode that lasts 1 day or less, or it can carry on sparadically for up to 3 days. It varies on the individual ..but this is definatly a sign of pregnancy, that is often overlooked. Sounds like possibility with you, that this could very well have been what happened, when you had your spotting episode.

I suggest that your have further pregnancy testing done, especially because you have been so regular in the past. Usually, when you see the doctor, and you explain you are 2 months late, the first thing they will do is urine, and blood to confirm. They usually dont do ultrasounds, until a pregnancy is confirmed first. Blood testing is conclusive, in early pregnancy, so this is something that needs to be done.

Now, Seems to me like you are having problems getting the blood test. I suggest, that when you call the doctor, tell him specifically, that you had a short sparadic spotting episode about 6 weeks ago. Tell him, you suspect possible implantation bleeding. I bet, he will do the blood test immediately. So make sure you mention that. If he refuses to do it regardless, I suggest you find another doctor, or go to a family planning clinic, for further assessment.

Now, if the blood test comes back negative, then its pretty much conclusive that you are not pregnant.

Missed periods, can become absent due to hormonal changes. Hormonal changes can be caused by weight gain, weight loss, dietary changes, stress, and illness. So if you experienced any of the above over the past couple of months, this could be a possibility as to why you are late for your period.

But before calling the doctor ..I think you should retest again at home. Make sure, you do it in the morning when you wake up. Your test should be accurate. However, no matter what the result, you need to see a doctor to find out why you are missing your period. Even if your test is negative, I am positive the doctor will do further testing, just to confirm your negative result.

I hope this has answered your question. Should you have further concerns, or issues, please dont hesitate to write back :)

Thanks for writing :)

-Kristy