Possible Pregnancy Symptoms: What to Know After a Late Period

Question
I am 18 years old. I have been trying to get pregnant. My last period was on August 31st and I was supposed to get it on September 28th. But I didn't. It always comes on time. I have been eating a lot lately and my breasts have been very sore and they feel harder than usual. I have had to urinate more often as well. But I started bleeding a little on October 6th. It was really light and not like my usual period. It went away for a while but I am still bleeding. I have had some cramps but they didn't feel the way they usually feel when I get my period. I took a pregnancy test 2 days after my missed period and it said negative. Could I be pregnant? Did I have a miscarriage?

Answer
Hi Alex :)

Well, it certainly sounds like you might be pregnant :)

The bleeding that you experienced, could be implantation bleeding, and its often confused by some women, as a period. Implantation bleeding, is when the fertilized egg, implants itself into the lining of your uterus. Often, some spotting, or very light bleeds might happen for a few days afterwards. Its usually associated with a slight "period" like cramp as well. And this sounds completely like what you are experiencing.

I would do another pregnancy test. This time, do it in the morning when you go for your first urine when you wake up. The first urine in the morning is the most concentrate, therefore the pregnancy hormone, HCG will be more prominate. And the test therefore, should be pretty accurate. You tested only 2 days after your late period. That's pretty early, so its very possible the reason why you had a negative result, is because it was simply to early to detect the pregnancy hormone in your urine. Doing it now, would certainly indicate an accurate answer. Enough time has elapsed, that the HCG if existant in your urine, would certainly give you a positive result.

Now, keep in mind that you can also go to your doctor, or a walk in clinic and request an HCG blood test. This test is conclusive in diagnosing pregnancy :)

Hope this answers your question, and I will keep my fingers crossed that you get the positive test result you are hoping for :) Thanks for writing :)

-Kristy