Pregnancy? Possible Complications

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-08-2007
Pregnancy? Possible Complications
3
Thu, 02-08-2007 - 3:48pm

Hi, I'm new to this website (and also new to the US, i moved here from England in late December in order to marry my American fiance.)

Now, to start (it's going to be a long one... sorry)

I don't very often have periods. Probably on average about 4 per year. This has been on-going since I was 16 years old, I had no periods for 2 years and now they're slowly returning. I've had numerous blood tests but my doctor in England said that he didn't really know what was going on with my body and not to worry about it until I decided that I wanted a baby. Needless to say, despite using protection I've taken so many pregnancy tests in my teenage years due to this but have never fallen pregnant. Problems conceiving run in my mothers side of the family. She herself tried for at least 3 years and saw a lot of doctors before I was conceived and a couple of years after me she had a miscarriage.

Now I'm 21 years old and in the past couple of weeks I have noticed that my breasts have become very sore and seem a little bigger. I hadn't noticed that they were much bigger until I got some complimentary comments from my husband ;)
I'm also very tired all of the time, my legs ache and small bruises and thread veins have started to appear on my thighs. I have dizzy spells and have to sit down for a bit (after sitting down I usually end up falling asleep!)
I've also been very moody, crying a lot (which is unusual for me as I don't often cry) and generally being irritable and confused.
Ive had cramps and have been feeling sick, although I haven't actually been sick yet. I've not been eating much for fear of being sick.

This all seemed to be answered a couple of days ago. I thought it was just my period (a little unusual for me as I also had one last month.) After my husband and I had sex one afternoon we noticed blood. It looked exactly like bleeding from a period, bright red with dark clots in it (sorry to be graphic). I thought I had started my period so I put a tampon in. Later that day when I came to remove the tampon there was no blood on it at all (this was about 5 hours later) and I have not bled since. However I am still feeling all of the symptoms described earlier.

I would be happy if I discovered that I am pregnant, however I would rather that I wasn't, simply because my husband is in the military and is due to be deployed next year and also we had intended on waiting a few years until he left the military.

There is another possible problem. When I spoke to my mother-in-law she told me that my husbands blood type is O negative. I didn't understand what she meant but she went on the explain that she had some really serious pregnancy complications due to her body trying to reject the baby because of it's blood type. With her third child (my husband is the first born) this caused her to have liver failure and she had to be rushed into hospital. I don't really understand how that works though, but I presume she was telling me because I would be at the risk of the same thing.

I am not yet registered at the doctor here because I have only just signed up and I need to have a medical exam done. Plus I'm not really sure how your medical system works in the US so I don't know if I can go and see a doctor before I've had this exam done (which is in two weeks).

Any advice would be appreciated.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-18-2006
Thu, 02-08-2007 - 5:36pm

Well I don't really know if you are or not, no one can. But as for the O negative thing it would be something that after you were pregnant your doctor draws blood for and later in pregnancy you get a shot for the RH factor. I had it and was told it was just a precaution because it can cause complications later in the pregnancy and delivery. It won't stop you from getting pregnant though.

I hope you find an answer soon. Have you tried a test at all? With such irregular cycles you might not get a positive even if you were right away but it might be worth a shot.

Also moving to an entirely new country and changing everything in your life could really change your cycles and body chemistry.

-Mel


iVillage Member
Registered: 08-10-2006
Fri, 02-09-2007 - 10:52am
I would go to the local pharmacy and purchase a home pregnancy test. Take it with first morning urine. That should give you the answers you need. If you are pregnant, your doctor will give you a shot for the RH factor if the blood type is an issue. I wish you the best of luck. Please feel free to post an update here! Good luck!
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-08-2007
Sat, 02-10-2007 - 4:24pm

Before I could go and get a home test my period started yesterday. Along with the most painful cramps I've ever had in my life. It's also the heaviest period I think I've ever had. Spent most of yesterday in bed unable to move.

I can't decide whether I'm relieved or not. I don't think I am ready for a baby financially but my husband and I do want kids. I was looking at a cute baby in the supermarket the other day and my husband whispered in my ear "I know we weren't planning on having kids for at least a few years, but I really don't think either of us would be too unhappy if you found out that you were pregnant."

Most of my "symptoms" are still there though, my breasts are still swollen and hurt. I'm still very tired and having dizzy spells and I was sick yesterday just before my period started. I guess I must have some kind of stomach bug as well.