QuestionToday, I took a pregnancy test which was negative. 6 weeks ago I was tested at the emergency room and that was negative. When menstruration returns after c-section can it be very light, just spotting? Should I take another pregnancy test in approximately 2 weeks if I do not have a regular cycle? Also, I was taking the mini-pill but when I suspected I could be pregnant I stopped taking it. Should I be cautious and wait to go back on it until pregnancy is ruled out.
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Followup To
Question -
I am 36 years old. I have a 12 month old boy. He was delivered via cesarean. I nursed him 9 months. Since his birth I have only experienced the return of my cycle 1 time approximately 2 months ago. 6 weeks ago I was admitted to the emergency room with severe abdominal pain. CT scan revealed possible ovarian cyst. They conducted a pregnancy test which was negative. The pain continued for 2 weeks during which I took Vicoprofen. 3 weeks later they verified via ultrasound that the cyst was gone. I am aware that cysts can occur during ovulation and may be reabsorbed. Recently I felt a little shaky as though low blood sugar and have had some lower back and abdominal discomfort. At first I believed that these could be signs of pregnancy but then I experienced some bleeding and assumed I began my cycle. The bleeding only occured 1 time and has not returned since yesterday. Could this have been a result of the ovum imbedding itself? I need to know the timing this occurs since all the pregnancy data for tests and prediction are based on the date of your last cycle. Also how soon after conception women experience low blood sugar and some of the other symptoms. I don't want to do a pregancy test if my symptoms do not sound consistent with pregnancy or if it would be too soon to register.
Answer -
If you have not had your period for longer than 2 months, you should definitely take a pregnancy test. Low blood sugar is not a sign of pregnancy and does not occur routinely during pregnancy. The earliest symptoms of pregnancy are breast tenderness, fatigue, and nausea. The ovarian cyst had nothing to do with ovulation. Cysts can occur with or without ovulation and are not an indication that ovulation has occurred. If the bleeding was the beginning of your period, you are not pregnant. If the bleeding was implantation bleeding, it would have occurred around 8 days after conception and if you do not get your period, you should take a pregnancy test and will know for sure. A pregnancy test will not show a positive result until 14-21 days after ovulation and the best time to take a pregnancy test is seven days after you miss your period. Since you have not had your period in over two months, I would suggest that you take a pregnancy test now.
AnswerIf the pregnancy test was negative today, you are not pregnant. YOu can get light or heavy periods after a cesarean section or a normal vaginal delivery. You can start taking the pill again (you can take a regular pill if you no longer are breast feeding). Even if you are pregnant, the pill will not harm the fetus unless you continue to take it past 13 weeks gestational age. If all these pregnancy tests have been negative, I really doubt that you are pregnant. Sometimes, after stopping nursing, you can miss having your period for up to a year. Doh't worry.
