Pregnancy and Early Signs - TTC

<html><head></head><body><h2>Sleep and irritability</h2>
Getting a good night’s sleep while you’re pregnant is easier said than done. Your newly enlarged shape makes it difficult to get comfortable, and your mind is usually racing with questions and worries about your impending labor. Of course, everyone tells you to sleep now before your little bundle of joy arrives to keep you up all night, but sometimes you just can’t relax. As in life before pregnancy, a lack of sleep can make us feel more irritable and more bummed out than usual. A recent study shows that the same holds true for women who are pregnant, and maybe even more so. The study was designed to explore proper treatments for women who were well into their pregnancy. There are some drawbacks to taking anti-depressants while pregnant if you’ve never taken them before, so alternative treatments are necessary. Interestingly enough, the study’s results showed that the best treatment for depression during pregnancy was not really a depression remedy at all. Instead, they showed that women who were depressed in the second or third trimester were usually those who were extra tired from lack of sleep.
<h2>Fatigue or depression?</h2>
The irritability and fatigue from exhaustion were usually confused with depressive symptoms. Therefore, the best way to treat these women for their perceived depression was to assist them in getting a proper night’s sleep. In other words, your depression towards the end of your pregnancy might not actually be depression at all. You could simply be fatigued and run down from a lack of rest, and the remedy is as simple as getting enough rest. Of course, getting enough rest is not always that simple, but it is far less complicated than treating actual depression with medication and anti-depressants. If you really do feel that you are depressed during your pregnancy, make sure you speak with your healthcare provider right away. If it’s not just a result of your fatigue, it should be handled as early as possible to improve your quality of life and your baby’s health. If you think sleep might be the cause, try new ways to sleep through the night. Exercising during the day, eliminating all caffeine from your diet, and eating well-balanced meals could all help you sleep better at night. If you’re still having trouble, make sure you speak with your healthcare provider about remedies to cure insomnia that are safe to take during your pregnancy. Source: SY Tsai et al: Daily Sleep And Fatigue Characteristics In Nulliparous Women During The Third Trimester Of Pregnancy. College of Medicine Department of Nursing Volume 35 Issue 2 pp. 257-262 February 2012</body></html>

Getting a good night’s sleep while you’re pregnant is easier said than done. Your newly enlarged shape makes it difficult to get comfortable, and your mind is usually racing with questions and worries about your impending labor. 

Your Depression During Pregnancy Could Actually Be Fatigue

Suffering from a brief bout of mild depression is common for women who have just given birth. Some women will fight through the depression and come out within a few weeks feeling better than ever before. Other women will suffer from baby blues symptoms that lead to a deeper more clinical-style depression. Suffering from a brief bout of mild depression is common for women who have just given birth. Some women will fight through the depression and come out within a few weeks feeling better than ever before. Other women will suffer from baby blues symptoms that lead to a deeper more clinical-style depression. There is nothing wrong with going to your obstetrician to talk about your personal baby blues. Obstetricians understanding the hormonal effects and pressures of having a new baby and often work with psychologists and psychiatrists to help her feel better quickly. Baby Blues: Mild Depression <a title="Postpartum depression baby blues" href="/postpartum/the-baby-blues-or-postpartum-depression">Baby blues </a>are characterized by mild mood changes and a general feeling of worthlessness. Sleep deprivation, thanks to those two hour time windows between feedings, can make depression symptoms feel even worse. Pressure, both real and self-imposed, about raising a new baby, returning to work, and making ends meet financially are all contributing factors to baby blues symptoms. Postpartum Depression <a title="Baby blues postpartum depression" href="/postpartum/the-baby-blues-or-postpartum-depression">Postpartum depression is different from baby blues.</a> When a woman suffers from postpartum depression, her feelings of depression may be deeper and more noticeable. Lack of appetite, inability to sleep, sleeping all the time, ignoring motherly duties, refusing to care for the baby and immense sadness are all symptoms of postpartum depression. The only thing difference between clinical depression and postpartum depression is the act of having a baby.
<a title="edinburgh-postpartum-depression-quiz" href="/edinburgh-postpartum-depression-quiz">Check the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Quiz</a> What Can Family Do? Family members can watch the woman who just gave birth closely, but treatment may be needed before she feels any better. Every year, hundreds of thousands of women seek out treatment for some form of depression after giving birth. Being depressed does not make you a bad mom, woman, wife or person. Family members can talk to the woman about her feelings to try and gauge how depressed and worthless she is feeling; it is important not to forcefully push or insist that she seek out mental care.

Baby Blues Symptoms and Postpartum Depression

Q:&nbsp;How can I tell if I am pregnant? Can cervical changes signify that I am pregnant? What about the position of my uterus?
A: There are certain cervical changes that take place during your fertile days. However, there is no clear position of the uterus during very early pregnancy. The uterus can be high or low and the cervix can be soft or firm. The truth is that other than a positive pregnancy test there is no reliable enough sign of an early pregnancy that can give definite proof.

How can I tell if I am pregnant? Can cervical changes signify that I am pregnant? What about the position of my uterus?

Can Uterine Or Cervical Changes Show That I Am Pregnant?

Q: What is hCG?
A: hCG is human chorionic gonadotropin. It is a hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy. Home pregnancy tests (HPTs) are designed to detect it.
Q: Why does the hCG level of the test matter?
A: Basically the pregnancy tests that detect the lowest number of units should be more sensitive and give you the earliest results.
Q: How do home pregnancy tests work?
A: Home pregnancy tests (HPTs) are designed to detect hCG, a hormone released by the placenta right after the embryo begins implanting into the uterine lining. The hormone is released in urine. 
Q: How accurate are home pregnancy tests on the first day of a missed period?
A: A JAMA article said the highest possible screening sensitivity for an hCG-based pregnancy test conducted on the first day of a missed period is 90 percent, as 10 percent of women may not have implanted yet. The authors estimate that the highest possible screening sensitivity of a home pregnancy test by one week after the first day of the missed period is 97 percent.
Q: How soon after ovulation can I test?
A: The earliest you can get a positive result on the most sensitive pregnancy tests is seven days after ovulation. Implantation needs to occur before hCG is produced and that generally happens between 6-12 days post ovulation, usually by 10 days after. For this reason, it makes economic sense to wait until 10-12 days after ovulation, but even then a significant percentage of women who are indeed pregnant will still show a negative result. If you have not had an hCG injection (common infertility treatment, brands include Profasi, Pregnyl, and Novarel), you can believe the positive, but you might get a false negative. If your period is late, test again. Your hCG levels should double every 2-3 days and many people won't have a positive HPT until the first day of a missed period or even a few days later.
Q: How do I perform the test?
A: You should use midstream urine, meaning you should pee a little first and then either hold the test stick in your urine stream or use a collection cup. If you would like to collect urine in a cup even though you bought a stick test, you need to hold the absorbent tip of the stick in the cup of urine for 5-10 seconds. Otherwise, follow the directions with the test.
Q: How long do I need to hold my urine?
A: That depends how long after ovulation you are testing. If you are testing early, a four-hour wait is a good idea. The more hCG you have in your system, the less long you'll need to hold before trying to test.
Q: How do I read the test result?
A: You should check the instructions that came with the HPT as there are some differences between the tests. Most of the tests have two windows — one that tells you the test has been performed correctly (control), and one that gives you the positive or negative result. In the result window, the tests usually give a line or a plus. For the line tests, any colored line, no matter how faint, in the result window during the allotted time is a positive result. (This is different from most of the ovulation tests where the result line needs to be as dark or darker than the control line.) Some of the tests give a plus or minus result. In those tests you expect one line, looking like a minus sign (-), in the result window for a negative, and two lines looking like a plus symbol (+) if you are pregnant. It is common for one line in the plus symbol to be lighter than the other — any plus sign, no matter how varied the line colors, should be considered a positive result. All HPTs should be read within the time mentioned in the instructions and then thrown out to avoid confusion over evaporation lines.
Q: Can I use an HPT if I had an hCG injection (such as Profasi, Pregnyl or Novarel)?
A: You can, but you should wait 7-14 days after your last injection before the shot is out of your system. If you test too soon, you might get a false positive. Wait 14 days after a 10,000 IU injection, 10 days after a 5,000 IU injection, or 7 days after a 2,500 IU injection.
Q: Can fertility medications such as Clomid, Serophene, Gonal-F, Follistim, Humegon, Pergonal, Repronex or Fertinex cause false positive results on HPTs?
A: The only fertility medication that can cause a false positive on a home pregnancy test is one that includes hCG (see question above).
Q: Can progesterone supplements cause a false positive HPT?
A: No. Home pregnancy tests only check hCG levels, not progesterone. They are completely different hormones.
<a id="double" name="double"></a>Q: What should my hCG level be?
A: An rounded-off average would be about 25 mIU at 10 DPO 50 at 12 DPO, 100 at 14 DPO.
Q: What if I took a test and it was negative, but when I looked at it an hour or later I saw a faint line?
A: You may be pregnant and just didn't have a high enough level of hCG to trigger the test within the usual time frame; however, it also could be the way that test reacts over time, so you really need to test again either way in order to be sure of the result. Some brands indicate that an "evaporation line" will appear if the test is left to sit. Generally speaking, you should not rely on any positive result that does not show up within the time limit stated in the test instructions. All brands have the possibility of an evaporation line or chemical line.
Q: Which is more accurate, a urine test or a blood test?
A: A blood test is more accurate, but not necessarily more sensitive. A lot depends on the lab. A quantitative blood test, usually called a beta hCG test, measures the exact units of hCG in the blood. That means it will detect even the most minimal level. There is another type of blood test sometimes called a qualitative hCG. This is a test that simply gives a yes or no answer to whether you are pregnant. Just like urine tests, labs vary as to what is considered a positive pregnancy test. Common cutoffs for positive are 5, 10, and 25 units. A level under 5 is considered negative. A test that is only triggered at 25 units of hCG is not any more sensitive than several of the urine HPTs.
Q: Are urine tests at the doctor's office any more sensitive than home tests?
A: They are usually equivalent to the first tier of the home pregnancy tests list above -- reading an hCG level of 15-25 mIU as positive. In fact, they are often the same tests listed in the chart, only with less packaging.
Q: How accurate are home pregnancy tests on the first day of a missed period?
A: An October 2001 JAMA article (JAMA. 2001;286:1759-1761) said the highest possible screening sensitivity for an hCG-based pregnancy test conducted on the first day of a missed period is 90 percent, as 10 percent of women may not have implanted yet. The authors estimate that the highest possible screening sensitivity of a home pregnancy test by one week after the first day of the missed period is 97 percent.
Q: Can I tell if my hCG level is doubling by retesting with an HPT and looking for a darker line?
A: No. You may get a darker line as your pregnancy progresses, but the HPT is not accurate enough to give you a full picture. Only a quantitative beta hCG blood test can tell you this. Best to have the blood tests performed at the same lab since standards vary.
Q: What if my HCG levels aren't doubling every two to three days from a quantitative blood test?
A: It doesn't necessarily mean something is wrong, but it warrants further exploration including an early ultrasound (6 weeks LMP, 4 weeks after ovulation). Slow-rising hCG can be related to impending miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. One important thing to remember is that on average hCG levels double approximately every two days from 4-6 weeks LMP, then doubles every 3 days when the level is 1600-6000, then the doubling slows to every 4 days or so. Levels peak a week or two before the end of the first trimester (14 weeks LMP) before declining in the second trimester.
Q: If I am pregnant, how long will my doctor monitor hCG levels.
A: Many doctors will do two or three hCG levels to confirm doubling and stop there. Most others will stop after a fetal heartbeat is detected since hCG levels vary greatly and doubling begins slowing down. After a heartbeat is seen or heard, the chance of miscarriage drops to 16% before 6 weeks LMP, 5% from 7-9 weeks, 1-2% after 11 weeks.
Q: I had a positive HPT, but my period started. What happened?
A: The only way to know for sure is to get a quantitative hCG blood test run. If you were pregnant but are miscarrying early, you may still have some level of hCG on the first day of bleeding -- but you need to go for the test as soon as possible. It is also possible that you got a false positive on the pregnancy test, in which case you should call the manufacturer with the lot number and try to get your money back.
Q: I have all the symptoms of pregnancy and got a faint positive on a home pregnancy test. My qualitative (yes/no) hCG blood test came back negative. Am I pregnant or not? 
A: It may be that the qualitative blood test is less sensitive than the home pregnancy test, so it would be a good idea to get a quantitative hCG (measures the actual hCG level). Also, be sure you are reading the test within the time suggested in the instructions to ensure you are not seeing an evaporation line on your home test.
Q: Can you get a positive HPT with a lower level of hCG than the test manufacturers say they detect?
A: Yes. Most of the tests can detect lower levels of hCG than what is listed in this FAQ, but the levels printed here are the ones quoted from the manufacturers.
Q: Can I be pregnant and not get a positive HPT?
A: Yes. Most women will register on HPTs by the time they are a few days late for a period, but not everyone will. If you suspect you are pregnant, you should see your doctor for a quantitative hCG test no matter what result you get from an HPT.
Q: My beta was 75 and I didn't get a positive on my HPT that is listed as reading a level of 50 or less, did I get a faulty test?
A: Not necessarily. The tests should read down to the level listed, but they don't always. It is possible the test was performed improperly, that urine was too diluted to give an accurate reading, or that test was not stored properly before use (tests that freeze, for example, are less likely to work).
Q: Can prescription or over the counter medication interfere with home pregnancy tests?
A: Medication will neither delay a positive result nor cause a false positive unless the medication contains hCG (Profasi, Pregnyl, Novarel). This includes pain relievers, antibiotics, etc.
Q: Do oral contraceptives/birth control pills interfere with home pregnancy test results?
A: No. One should get an accurate result on oral contraceptives. The hormones in the pill do not cause a false positive or a false negative result.
Q: Will recreational drugs or alcohol interfere with home pregnancy tests?
A: Drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, heroin, and alcoholic drinks will not alter the result of a home pregnancy test, but it is better to test when not under the influence.
Q: Can a urinary tract infection cause a false positive home pregnancy test?
A: No. Home pregnancy tests detect the hormone hCG, not byproducts of infection. Infections do not cause the hormones to be released. It is best to get the pregnancy confirmed by a doctor and have the UTI treated as soon as possible.
Q: Can stress cause a false positive result?
A: No.
Q: Which home pregnancy test is the best?
A: FertilityPlus does not recommend any specific test over another. For the most part, they are pretty equal. Consumer Reports does issue a ranking of tests.

Taking a pregnancy test can be nerve-wracking ... and filled with questions! Here's everything you've always wanted to know about home pregnancy tests!

Home Pregnancy Tests: All Your Questions Answered

Q: I am 16 days past my ovulation, and I took a home pregnancy test and it came back negative. Could I still be pregnant?
A:&nbsp;Most urine pregnancy tests are positive within 1-2 days after you miss your period. But even though you tested negative, you still may be pregnant.
Here are some reasons for pregnancy tests becoming positive later, even if you are pregnant: 
A home pregnancy test (HPT) becomes positive only when a certain level of the pregnancy hormone hCG is detected in your urine. Because of different sensitivity levels, different brands of pregnancy tests become positive earlier than others. Brands with higher sensitivity levels turn positive later than those with lower sensitivity levels. Urine hCG levels vary a lot from one pregnancy to the other. About 20% of pregnant women test positive later than 15-16 days post ovulation, so for one in five pregnant women, it may normally take some more days for the home pregnancy test to become positive. You may want to wait another couple of days and then retest again.

<a href="/pregnancy-tools/when-to-do-the-pregnancy-test-calculator">&nbsp;</a>

I am 16 days past my ovulation, and I took a home pregnancy test and it came back negative. Could I still be pregnant?

My Home Pregnancy Test Is Negative: Can I Still Be Pregnant?

These are pregnancy symptoms as described by BabyMed members:
<ul>
<li>I am 10 weeks today and I have just started the whole morning sickness deal. I was getting nauseated around lunch time and it would last until early evening, but now I am getting it more extremely and more often. My bb are bigger and very tender! I crave foods, but (and I know this sounds silly) I don't know what they are. Nothing satisifies the cravings. I am always sleepy. I actually called in one day to work to sleep! And DH would tell you I am moody! But, it's all worth it in the end. I can't wait! </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Hey ladies it looks like I may some unusual symptoms. Oh well I guess it's good to be unique. I start having symptoms about 2 dpo. I have a tingling feeling in bbs. Fatigue, frequent urination, extreme hunger, nausea and increased heartburn but I also start having very unusual dreams and a different sleep pattern. I find myself waking up at different times during the night, I don't sleep as well as I usually do. I also have an enhanced sense of smell and very specific cravings. This is pg #4 and these symptoms have been pretty consistant with all 4.</li>
<li>Well, I had breast soreness but it appeared to become lesser and lesser......cramps and severe pms ..................actually more pms symptons than pregnancy really......so ladies, don't give up hope when you start pms symptons...</li>
<li>Nausea (but didn't throw up) during the time in the public toilet (the bad smell), and during i feel hungry or very full..7dpo - bb is tender..the bbt is still keep up..10 dpo - was having to get up and pee at night (I usually don't have to.) 12 dpo - My face skin is really really dry, I am very thirsty and always felt hungry! Constipation &amp; gas..mild cramps14 dpo - got a faint ++18 dpo - bb is become large and tender..but not really tired..the temp is still keep in high level..watery &amp; creamy discharge, but nthg at all..</li>
<li>Hmmm, let's see... maybe it'd be easier to list what I didn't have. Ladies, don't be discouraged. I am just over 3 weeks pregnant (just found out too) according to ovulation time not lmp and I still test negative on a urine test. I took a blood test because of all the symptoms. My first gynaecologist told me and my husband because I am anxious to be pregnant I am imagining symptoms and it's all psychological. I want to take the blood test to her and ask her if this blood test is psychological too. JUST KIDDING..that's really rude. Well, the scary thing is that she made some prescriptions for me and told me to start taking them.....when they're not safe for the baby. It's tough to be patient. I hope this list helps. *increased bbt even beyond 14 dpo*flushed (pink) face - I look like I am constantly blushing *Increased day time temperatures*nasal dripping like a faucet*back ache, thought for a moment I had an infection since AF wasn’t due for some time*menstrual like feeling all the time…crying, cramps, sometimes sharp pains *metallic taste in my mouth*sore nipples since just 2 or 3 days after ovulation, then boobs got really sore, tender, swollen, with veins showing probably 10 dpo*exhausted during the day and sleeping all day*stomach upset...gas and slight nausea when stomach empty and sometimes through out the day*increased appetite*increased thirst *big time break out in pimples which I never get*brown spotting 1 day before AF is supposed to come*white milky creamy discharge</li>
<li>I'm 6 wks pg, no breast soreness this time, a little bit of fullness. Tired in the early afternoon and evening, yawning, constipation, just had little bit of nausea today (for the 1st time). Not overly bloated, everyday seems different. A/F type cramps off &amp; on since 8 DPO. Slight brown spotting 12 -14 DPO, but on progesterone suppositories now due to past M/C. jordy | | 5/14/2002 7:57 AM Virtually none. I was sure AF was coming even 1 week after it did not come. I had bad cramps. Imagine our shock. Now at 6 wks my breast have become tender and I do battle some quezzy feelings. But really I feel great. I would have never known if I had not done the test.Good luck to all.</li>
<li>Hey to All and Congrats to All! I charted my temps this month, and the only symptom I felt was tired and crampy, JUST LIKE AF. So don't be discouraged. My BBT went up so I tested, and +++++Now I am really tired around lunch and again at 3 or 4. BB's are not sore at all&nbsp;</li>
<li>I just found out yesterday that I am pg and am only dpo 13 today, but had this feeling I was pg. I know it's early but I have definitely had symptoms. I have been hungry, even waking in the middle of the night to eat! I have indigestion, queasy stomach and bloating. I have been peeing a lot (which is scary cuz I already do that!), and have felt mildy dizzy. I have had mild cramps, light spotting for a day and a half (gone now) and low backache. I have had major insomnia! I woke up last night at 2:30am and couldn't fall back asleep until 5:30! I have felt "things" I can't quite explain in my uterus like twinges or something. And I have been sort of ditzy and preoccupied. That's about it for now! No sore bb's yet, and not extremely tired, which is a shocker! I'm sure my nightly insomnia will take care of that!&nbsp;</li>
<li>Some cramps and nauseousness, larger painful bb's.11dpo: same as 10dpo with creamy discharge12dpo: morning sickness, pain in wrists and ancles, gas, insomnia, having to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.13dpo: cramps in my uterus, (not af cramps, more stretchy feeling)14dpo: soar bb'snow (19 dpo): a bit nauseous in the morning and afternoon, gas at night. Larger breasts. Feeling lazy, don't feel like doing anything but reading about pregnancies.</li>
</ul>

These are pregnancy symptoms as described by BabyMed members.

Early pregnancy symptoms No. 2

Here are the probabilities of your chances being pregnant with these symptoms from&nbsp; high to medium to low.
<h2>High Pregnancy Probability (Nearly 100% chance of pregnancy)</h2>
<ul>
<li>No menstrual period (amenorrhea), AND known day of ovulation, AND 17+ DPO</li>
<li>An elevated BBT curve for 16+ days without a menstrual period</li>
<li>A positive blood hCG pregnancy test <a href="/pregnancy-tools/when-to-do-the-pregnancy-test-calculator">(When?)</a></li>
<li>A positive urine pregnancy test (HPT)</li>
<li>A gestational sac on ultrasound</li>
<li>Fetus on ultrasound</li>
</ul>

<h2>Medium Pregnancy Probability (About 50% chance of pregnancy with one of these)</h2>
<ul>
<li>Missed menstrual period (amenorrhea), known day of ovulation, AND 15-16 DPO</li>
<li>Missed menstrual period AND more than two of the symptoms below</li>
<li>Triphasic curve, 12+ DPO, AND more than two of the symptoms below</li>
</ul>
<h2>Low Pregnancy Probability (Less than 25% chance of pregnancy)</h2>
<ul>
<li>Missed menstrual period for over one week (not knowing if ovulation happened) AND a repeatedly negative pregnancy test</li>
<li>Abundant cervical mucus &gt;10 DPO</li>
<li>A negative blood hCG test</li>
<li>Triphasic curve &lt;12 DPO</li>
<li>Bleeding or spotting about a week after ovulation</li>
<li>Lower abdominal cramps</li>
<li>Heavy breasts</li>
<li>Breasts increasing in size</li>
<li>Nausea</li>
<li>Nipple or breast tenderness</li>
<li>Fatigue</li>
<li>Vomiting</li>
<li>Food cravings</li>
<li>Metallic taste in mouth</li>
<li>Dry skin</li>
<li>Thirst</li>
<li>Frequent urination</li>
<li>Softening of cervix</li>
<li>Constipation</li>
<li>Lower-back pain</li>
</ul>

Here are the probabilities of your chances being pregnant with these symptoms from  high to medium to low.

What is the Probability of Pregnancy with these Symptoms

<h2>Why would I get diarrhea before labor?</h2>
As your body gets ready for giving birth, muscles loosen in the entire body, and this includes the muscles that regulate bowel movements. Before this time, you may have experienced constipation due to a slowing down of the digestive process, but that can reverse on a moment’s notice. Some doctors believe that diarrhea occurs because it empties the bowels, making room for the baby to move through the birth canal.
Diarrhea is common at the end of a pregnancy, and though the act of going to the bathroom over and over again may be a pain, you usually have nothing to worry about. If pre-labor diarrhea is associated with cramping or contractions, it could mean the baby is about to make its way into the world. Active labor is commonly associated with diarrhea.
<h2>What should I do to treat it?</h2>
Diarrhea inevitably pulls more water out of the body. As water reserves are depleted, you can become dehydrated which can lead to contractions and false labor. Drinking water is essential for the health of you and your baby when diarrhea occurs. Eating light meals and staying close to the bathroom are the best choices for pre-labor diarrhea.
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As your body gets ready for giving birth, muscles loosen in the entire body, and this includes the muscles that regulate bowel movements. Often, diarrhea can be a sign that baby is on the way!