Ask Me Help Desk - Could I still be PREGNANT?

I have to wait 6 weeks to get into my OB, so I need some help. I am trying to conceive and have been having symptoms. I also have been bleeding, so I am really unsure of what is happening? I have RA and have been off all my meds with the exception of 5 mg prednisone for the past 2 months, for the past 9 months. My first month of trying I was 15days late for my period (45 day cycle). My second month I was right on time at 30 days. This month I was 13 days late (43 day cycle). I have been charting my cycle for 9 months and before trying, I was always 30-32 days. I have not tested positive on any ovulation perdictor tests, taken them twice a day from the last day of period, for the first 2months. I decided not to waste anymore money on them! I also haven't gotten any positive pregnancy tests. I am really concerned that I may not be able to test using urine? This past month I thought for sure I was pregnant, but then started bleeding? I also check my cevical positions and for the past two weeks I have been high and soft, sometimes I couldn't even reach my cervix (includeing the day before I started bleeding). My breasts are swollen and have some sensitivity, I go to the bathroom once an hour if not more, I feel like I have to puke every now and then, my cervical mucus has been constantly wet and slimmy, I have headaches and some light cramping. I don't know what's going on and hope there will be some answers? If you have any ideas or advice, Please Respond...

Thanks in advance for the help... :)

I'm not really sure what you're asking, but it sounds like you could either be pregnant, or ovulating late as both have similar symptoms.

Are your charts showing clear ovulation?

Note: OPK's only need to be used once every 24 hours (directions need to be followed very closely) and they are not necessarily accurate for everyone. HPT's, however, are pretty accurate as long as you don't test too early.

Is there a particular reason why you feel you might not be able to test using urine? Are your periods usually a bit off each cycle or were you very regular before? Were you using birth control pills prior to trying?

If you suspect possible pregnancy, even though you have been having bleeding each month, try a pregnancy test. If you had been on birth control pills prior to trying, it could be your body is adjusting to coming off them... some women will have irregular cycles for a time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoulaLC

Is there a particular reason why you feel you might not be able to test using urine? Are your periods usually a bit off each cycle or were you very regular before? Were you using birth control pills prior to trying?

If you suspect possible pregnancy, even though you have been having bleeding each month, try a pregnancy test. If you had been on birth control pills prior to trying, it could be your body is adjusting to coming off of them....some women will have irregular cycles for a time.

I don't know why I wouldn't be able to use urine tests, just that I have been very committed to following the directions and test at the same times daily - with no positive results... My doctors say I should be ovulating. My periods were all regular before trying to conceive. I have never been on birth control. My partner and I have been using a live donor and doing twice a week inseminations.

While usually regular periods would equal ovulation, it is not automatic. OPKs can work well for some women, but just be frustrating for others.
You might want to try a pregnancy test. Are the twice weekly inseminations done by yourselves or through your doctor? Has the donor sperm gone through a semen analysis?
Depending on your age, your doctor may decide to start doing some testing to determine for sure if you are ovulating, as well as some other initial tests, in the next several months. Would be something to consider discussing if you don't become pregnant by summer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoulaLC

While usually regular periods would equal ovulation, it is not automatic. OPKs can work well for some women, but just be frustrating for others.
You might want to try a pregnancy test. Are the twice weekly inseminations done by yourselves or through your doctor? Has the donor sperm gone through a semen analysis?
Depending on your age, your doctor may decide to start doing some testing to determine for sure if you are ovulating, as well as some other initial tests, in the next several months. Would be something to consider discussing if you don't become pregnant by summer.

Thanks for all your help... I did take a pregnancy test this morning and it said "neg". We do the inseminations ourselves, in our home. We have read everything on the internet and consulted with my doctor about the procedure, so we hope we are cutting out too much error? Our donor has not had a SA done, but we did do STD and HIV testing before trying. Our donor is 36 and I am 34. I am def going to try to push for some testing, when I can get into my OB. For now we'll just keep trying and try to not stress over it!

Thanks Again