Should I get a blood test..please help!

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-22-2003
Should I get a blood test..please help!
10
Mon, 09-22-2003 - 5:34pm
Okay I'm new so I don't know all the abbreviations so work with me :) Okay AF is 3 weeks, going on 4 weeks late and I have done 3 tests, one each week and one was at Planned Parenthood. They all say negative but I still haven't gotten anything and I'm experiencing the common symptoms plus other sysmptoms. Should I get a blood test or just trust the test at the doc's office and wait for my AF? Which is driving me nuts not knowing and I'm scared that what happened with my sis is happening to me. She did 3 HPT's and a doc's test, all negative, finally she requested a blood test and ended up being 3 months pregnant. So is this all in my head or should I seriously get a blood test? Wouldn't the hormone levels be high enough now? The clinic also continued me on the pill, is this bad if I am PG? Please respond...I'd really appreciate it :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-12-2003
Mon, 09-22-2003 - 6:05pm
Hello. I have done some internet searching on this because I had the same problem. (I ended up having a miscarriage) So, everything I can tell you is just here-say, but worth knowing. I've read of more than a few stories where urine tests didn't work for someone who had a healthy pregnancy, though it's still a VERY rare occurence. So rare, I think, that most doctors havent heard of it. There's sometimes a thyroid or other type problem that keeps the hcg from showing up in tests, but in some cases they were not able to find a reason for it-so I read anyway. I've also read that it can run in the family, so it is possible you have the same problem as your sister. Do you know if your mom possibly didn't test positive on urine tests either? Anyway, I've also read that there is no scientific evidence that birth control pills harm the fetus or cause miscarriage-I hope that's not wrong, but I've read it in several different places. I want to tell you to get a blood test but I've even heard of those coming out negative, as it did for me, early on. Was your sisters baby okay? Can you see her doctor? I ask because it's possible a doctor won't believe you, they thought I was crazy, and it would be trememdously easier to work with someone who's seen this happen before. Otherwise, I would tell your doctor about what happened with your sister so that they are aware. Best of luck to you-I would go ahead and take care of yourself like you are prego, just in case. This situation is very frustrating at best.
 
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-22-2003
Mon, 09-22-2003 - 6:28pm
I appreciate the quick response. I can't go to my sister's doctor because I currently don't have insurance. But I think I am going to wait a week and try another HPT, if it comes out negative and I still don't have a visit from AF I am going to go down to the health clinic and get a blood test. My mom actually had a positive right away on her urine test so I don't know if I shouldn't be worried because of that or still worried because of my sister. Thank you also for the information regarding being on the pill that was something that really worried me but in regards to that, do you know if you are pregnant and on the pill if it could be causing my achiness in my lower abdomen? Or is that just normal? Well I hope to hear more responses and I thank you again you helped in more ways than you could imagine.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-23-2003
Tue, 09-23-2003 - 1:34am
Hi, I have had two babies and had very achey, crampy, lower abdomen with both. It is very normal. The doctors say that the pill can't hurt your baby, but I would definitely not take the chance if I thought I might be pregnant. The hormone levels can't be good for a tiny baby. I would stop taking it until you know for sure. That way at least you know you aren't doing any harm. Just use another form of contraception (condom) until you either know you are pregnant or know you are not (I would take the blood test for peace of mind). If you are definitely not pregnant, then you can start taking the pill again, but remember that it takes 7 days of taking it in a row until you are protected fully by the pill. If you are pregnant, then congratulations, you can look forward to a cute little baby and if not, there's always next time! Hope you get the result you would like. Love Ruth
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-22-2003
Tue, 09-23-2003 - 12:24pm
Ruth with the cramping was it sometimes so achey that it felt unbearable because at times that's how it is. Plus I feel really sick after I eat and then really sick if I don't eat. Planned parenthood told me I shouldn't worry about it until I skip again at the end of this pack of pills, is that smart or should I get the blood test? I know their professionals on the matter but I don't want them to be wrong and my baby, if I was pregnant, not to get the care it needs in the early stages of pregnancy. Please respond and thank for your help so far.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-08-2003
Tue, 09-23-2003 - 1:13pm
Hi there,

From what i know about the pill i would follow planned parenthoods advice this is why:

when you went for the testafter being one week late then you started the pill after that, that may have indeed pushed your period into skipping a cycle.I know this because i used to take my pills (21 pack) back to back to avoid getting a period, its actually something most female athletes do so they dont have worry about af coming during a game or event.

If I were you i would relax a little keep taking your pill and wait till your next period is due which by my calculation should be in the following week if you have been taking the pill for 3 weeks already (the last 7 pills in a 28 day pack are only placebos or "sugar pills" any way they dont really do anything but make it easier for you to remember when to take the pill and in MHO they are the culprits responsible in making us gain that unwanted weight)

I hope this has helped

best of luck to you

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-23-2003
Wed, 09-24-2003 - 9:01pm
I would go to a doctor if you can. I have strong cramps but never unbearable and they don't ever last for long. I'm not an expert so I don't like to give too much advice and I always say you should see a doctor if you have any worries. I have done some research on the internet and lots of pages say that although you should stop the pill if you know you are pregnant, it is very unlikely to hurt your baby at such an early stage in your pregnancy. I hope you have some definite news soon. Let us know how you are going because we are thinking of you. Love Ruth
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-22-2003
Mon, 10-06-2003 - 11:28am
I just want to say thank you to everyone who responded!! I had an exam on Sat and guess what I am 10-12weeks pregnant so I now have my definate answers!! So wish me luck and I will keep you all updated!! First appointment is on Oct. 23!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-16-2003
Mon, 10-06-2003 - 11:35am
hi there i just wanted to say congratulations!!! when you had your exam was it a urine test that was positive or a blood??? what are your symptoms if you don't mind my asking! once again congrats and good luck to you!
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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-2003
Mon, 10-06-2003 - 12:28pm
WOW!!!!! your urine test never showed positive? that's amazing! i was going to ask the same question myself. my bb's started leaking this month and i thought i was pregnant for sure. then AF came but only for 2 days. BB's continued to leak (not a lot, just a little bit). the doctor wanted me to take a test, so i did. it was negative. i have an appointment tomorrow to see what's going on. i'm hoping i'm pregnant and the test didn't show it. good luck to you and hopes for a healthy baby!
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2003
Mon, 10-06-2003 - 12:49pm
That is great! I was especially interested in your situation b/c I am a week late (not usual for me), and I woke up one morning at 5:00 am feeling very nausous. But my urine tests have come up negative all week! I am going to make an appt. today to get a blood test...we are TTC, so I'm hoping for a positive result, too! Good luck with your new baby!!!