Lactating, am I pregnant?

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-04-2004
Lactating, am I pregnant?
42
Sat, 04-09-2005 - 12:16am
My boyfriend and i were having sex about 2 weeks ago or so. He started feeling my breasts and out of nowhere he came out and said 'youre lactating, you might be pregnant'. i didnt believe him so he squeezed my right breast and i did start to lactate. Does that mean that i might be pregnant? I also have a few symtoms of pregnancy: missed period 2 weeks now, feeling nausious, nipples are sensitive, urinating frequently, and feel more tired... I did take a pregnancy test at this clinic where i live on Monday, it came back negative. So they told me to come back in a week b/c the HCG hormone might not be in my system yet or may not be high enough to tell. please give me some info on what you guys things.. Thanks!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-2004
Sat, 04-09-2005 - 3:06am

You don't start lactating until after the baby is born. Nipples don't usually get sensitive when you're barely pregnant......sometimes the breasts do, but not the nipples. But then, we're all different, so anything is possible.

If it's two weeks past your period due date, then you'd be approximately 4 weeks pregnant, and the test should be accurate. Why not try a home pregnancy test? Some of them can predict it even before you miss a period.

If it turns out that you're NOT pregnant, then you need to see a doctor about the leaking nipples, because that is NOT normal, and is one of the signs of breast cancer.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-16-2005
Sat, 04-09-2005 - 11:15am
It is best to act as though you are until you find out for sure. I remember my wife several years ago had a similar problem. She lactated and took a few pregnancy tests, all negative. The problem was the medication she was on was causing the lactation. Can't remember for sure what medication caused it. She was on the birth control pill with another medication or two. So if you test negative again, take a look at what medication you are on and if you are not on any it could be a sign of medical problem that needs immediate investigation.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-25-2004
Sat, 04-09-2005 - 5:28pm

I can help you a little here, because I'm 23 weeks pregnant...So, let's get started..

I'm assuming that at the clinic, they had you give them a urine sample. It came back negative. Usually, those are pretty darn accurate. You don't lactate in the beginnings of pregnancy, from what I've read its late pregnancy to after birth. And your nipples aren't sore until usually around the 5th month..Or so seems to be my experience. Your breasts will be sore a little like they get right before your period starts, but you won't lactate. Urinating frequently can often be other things that aren't pregnancy..Like an infection..Or medication...Constant use of alcohol...Things like that. As for your period being late, anything can cause that..Dieting, illness, stress...Go ahead and go back for the second test to be absolutely sure..If that comes back negative, I recommend seeing a doctor.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-16-2005
Sun, 04-10-2005 - 5:22am
Until you know definately that you are not I would say treat yourself as though you are. We encountered a similar issue about 10 years ago, lactating and not sure if it was due to pregnancy or not. Period was late, had multiple pregnancy tests all that came back negative and found out after visting my doctor the lactation was a side effect of one of that were being taken.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-04-2004
Sun, 04-10-2005 - 11:02am

let me start off by saying i still havent gotten my period yet. i went yesterday to get retested for the pregnancy test, a urine sample, and again it came back negative... She told me that 20% of women who are pregnant and get tested come back negative b/c the HCG level might not be high enough to show in the urine. She said i could be one of those 20%. So, she told me to get a blood test done just to make sure but to treat myself as if i am pregnant. I'm not on any medication or anything, nobody in my family has breast cancer, so i dont think its any of those issues. Ive also noticed that I've been eating A LOT lately. I went to American Steak House with my friend 2 days ago and i got a 9oz silron dinner along with free salad bar(but they have everything at the salad bar, not just salad).. I had 4 refills of the salad bar and ate my dinner and still wasnt all that full. Then again yesterday, i was eating like a pig too, i think i ate about every 30mins, something had to go in my mouth.... Please help me!!!! :)..

and THANK YOU for ALL your guys HELP!!!!!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-19-2004
Mon, 04-11-2005 - 6:44am

I agree with the others that you need to take care of yourself as if you are pregnant until you are 100% positive that you are not. (make sure you are getting folic acid to avoid neuro tube defects)

If you are NOT pregnant, as others said you may consider any meds you are taking. Also, I know this sounds unusual but, lactation can be induced (without pregnancy) by nipple stimulation. Ususally it takes an extreeme amount of stimulation to induce lactation but again, we are all different. If this is the case there is no real risk.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

Danielle

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-23-2004
Mon, 04-11-2005 - 9:23am

With my first pregnancy, 3 urine tests came out negative (one home test, 2 lab urine tests) and I just knew I was pregnant so I had the blood work and that came out positive.


bounxh0a-1.gif picture by dillbyrd

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-04-2004
Mon, 04-11-2005 - 12:50pm
maybe its just me, but you would potentially be 4-6 weeks right?
does your body even start changing that quickly? like as far as eating more and stuff?

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-25-2004
Mon, 04-11-2005 - 5:48pm
Don't be naive in assuming that because breast cancer doesn't run in the family, you are immune to it. Bone diseases don't run in my family, yet I have one. Its not a good way to think because you'll often times miss important signs and symptoms.
My urine test came back at 5 weeks as being positive, but I recommend the blood test because not every one is the same, as has been duly noted on the board several times. Get the blood test. And if that comes back negative, go see a doctor about the lactation.
From my experience with pregnancy, my appetite didn't really get into mode until the 3rd month..That's when the baby starts eating off of you. I eat all day and still go to bed hungry. If you are notpregnant and have such a high appetite, you could just have high metabolism, but for it to kick into gear so quickly, I would have your thyroid checked. Just to err on the side of caution.
I guess treat yourself as if you are pregnant, but don't go telling the world yet..You don't want to look like a fool if it comes back you're not. :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-04-2004
Mon, 04-11-2005 - 10:36pm
Well to let everyone know, i went today to get the blood work done and the results should be in tomorrow at my PCPs office... Keeping my fingers crossed for the best! Still havent gotten my period, and still spotting light pink, and light brown...I never missed my period for this long, so i really dont kno whats going on. even if its stress, never 2 1/2 weeks, always like 2-4 days... Today i started to get like sharp shooting pains in my breasts, like right now as im typing this.. and also i started to get pain on the left side of my stomach, sometimes even right but mostly my left...my lower abdomen feels a little harder than usual... All these signs and still dont know.. Sometimes i think its just my mind playing tricks on me..i will let you guys know about the blood tests ASAP.. Thanks for all your help!!!!!!!!

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