Hello I come on here quite infrequently because it seems as if I don’t get anywhere with any health care professionals whatsoever and am wondering whether some people on here might be able to. At least my concerns get heard! it has been nearly 12 months since me and my fiancé have been trying to get pregnant! recently, this month, I was 9 days late (always on a 28 day cycle, maybe 1 day max late) but then I got my period. This lasted 5 days and was slightly abnormal. This then stopped, then 2 days later, I got light brown coloured discharge (which has gone again) but I am continuing to have occasional cramping similar to period pains. I did a test this morning – negative.I rang nhs direct yesterday who stated I should do a test (what a complete waste of 8 quid) because they said my symptoms sounded like that there was a high possibility of being pregnant – also my work mate’s wife had the same symptoms as me and she now has a 10month year old little girl! I am also having extremely vivid dreams every night and my nails are stronger.please offer me some sort of advice/guidance/help – I am now at my entire wits end and have no idea what's wrong with me. Kate xxxx

When you say your last period was slightly abnormal, in what way? Lighter flow than usual for example?
Your period may just be off this cycle, but it could also be due to pregnancy. Sometimes tests don't pick up a pregnancy for awhile. If you continue to have some mild cramping, or other potential pregnancy symptoms, and even if you don't, try another test in several more days. If negative... wait and see what happens when your next period is due to come on and test again if need be.
Would be a good idea to treat yourself as if you might be pregnant to be on the safe side... watch what you eat/drink, that sort of thing. No doubt you are already taking folic acid, either alone or in a multivitamin, but if not that would be a wise thing to do while trying to get pregnant. I know in the UK they often recommend it for primarily the first 12 weeks, but it really is helpful throughout... especially in the last trimester when a good deal of baby's brain development is occurring. The risk of having too much (you may also see it as B9 or folate) is rare if you aren't going over the top with it. A good antenatal vitamin, or many multivitamins, should cover what you need throughout a pregnancy and can be started on while trying to get pregnant... (look for 400 mcg or 0.4 mg of folic acid) Fingers crossed you get a positive result before long!