Anxiety about my first pregnancy....?

Question

I just turned 21 in October and we found out I was pregnant on December 13. I am very excited, but every at home test i have taken has shown very faint positive results. I even went to the local health department and took one and they had trouble confirming it. After they decided that i was in fact pregnant, i took 4 more tests during the following 2 weeks ( Since the hCG levels increase, i was expecting the results to be clear as day by now). Those other 4 tests were still very faint, even the one i took today at 7 weeks and 2 days! Im so nervous because I dont know weather to be excited or prepare for a dissapointment. I have a prenatal appt. on the 10th of Jan, but i wish they could get me in sooner. One day i feel very pregnant, then the next day i dont. has anyone else had this problem or does anyone have any words of encouragement?

Answer 1

Don't stress, that just makes things worse. I know it's tough to wait, but the 10th is closer than you think. Just eat healthy, don't smoke or drink and make it to that appointment! :)

If you are pregnant, I recommend a book that helped me greatly called "What to Expect When You're Expecting." I think you can get it at all sorts of places, including maybe even WalMart or Target.

When I was first pregnant with my daughter, I was in an HMO and had to go to a doctor I had never met before. He did one exam (with his hand) and told me that he felt like I had a "grapefruit" growing in me and that the pregnancy wasn't viable. He told me to come back in 2 weeks for one more exam, then we'd go ahead and schedule an abortion!!!

I freaked out! Finally, I called the insurance company and told them what happened. They allowed me to go to another doctor, but I had to wait for weeks and weeks because there were no appointments! Finally, I got in to see the new doctor. He did an exam and ordered an ultrasound. By this time I was three months pregnant and the ultrasound showed that everything was fine.

That was 12 years ago and today, the "grapefruit" is a beautiful young lady who makes straight A's and is the light of my life! I am a firm believer in second opinions!

If it turns out that you aren't pregnant, hang in there. A friend of mine got pregnant, but the baby never developed and she miscarried. She was devastated (of course). But a few months later, she got pregnant again and today she has a healthy baby boy. I believe everything in life happens for a reason, even if we don't understand the reason at the time.

I am sending you all the positive energy and good thoughts I can! Good luck!!! :)

Answer 2

I had a friend that wen through the same thing. It's like no matter how many test she took it still wasn't proof enough. Finally i had to tell her girl, your pregnant! Most of the test do come up faint but most of the time there correct. I think your just nervous about becoming a mom. Don't worry you still have a while to go and the 10 will be here before you know it. Just wait until you hear the heart beat for the very first time, it made me cry. It's very normal to feel pregnant one day and not the next, i was like that in the beginning too. Everythings going to be fine!!

Answer 3

Oh I know what you're going through. It's sooo hard. I had to quit my anxiety meds AND smoking cigarettes at the same time when I found out I was expecting. My poor patient hubby, these are some tricks I've learned to help keep the anxiety at bay and preserve my marriage.... lol. My tricks: 1. Yoga: Pregnancy yoga is great too. I'm not good about doing it every day. But it does help. 2. Baths: Luke-warm bubble baths. 3. Chocolate: I don't know if this is the right thing to do per-say, but I keep a big hersheys milk chocolate bar in my desk at work. When I'm feeling anxious I break off a square and wait for it to dissolve in my mouth. It makes me feel better for some reason. 4. Foot massages: if you can coax your hubby into giving you one of these - it's very relaxing 5. Shopping layette: helps me remember that the little bundle of joy is worth the temporary discomfort and it takes my mind off things. Since you're TTC, stores like JCPenny have adorable inexpensive gender neutral sets. ;) 6. Crying: Okay I know this is crazy, but occassionally you'll get to the point where chocolate, baths, foot massages and yoga don't cut it. Crying is suprisingly refreshing. My spouse just writes it off as hormones. Sometimes you just need a good cry. Target carries a cucumber eye cream if your eyes are puffy-prone. I hope this helps. Best of luck TTC. It is soo worth it!

Answer 4

I'm 27 weeks pregnant now. Just calm down and take it day by day. I found that EPT pregnancy tests were the best. I took like 6 pregnancy test to make sure. They say the best time is to take it as soon as you wake up in the morning. Plus remember your body it going through alot of changes right now. I didn't feel pregnant until the morning sickness started. That was hell. Gingerale became my best friend. You'll be fine.

When you go to your first prenatal visit they'll most likely do another pregnancy test and then toward the end of January you'll be sent for blood work. The blood work will surely confirm it. They'll also take like 4 or 5 vials of blood. It's routine. At around 14 weeks pregnant you'll have your first ultrasound. The baby is so tiny it looks like a peanut. lol.

You'll be alright. I know how you feel. I went through it. You'll be alright hun.

Answer 5

Try not to stress about it. I was the same way. I didn't really believe that I was pregnant the first time until I heard the heartbeat. Just try to relax and be excited. It is very unusual to get a false positive on a pregnancy test, you are more likely to get a false negative. If you have had over 4 positive test then you are pregnant. Just try to relax, you might call the doctors office and let them know that if anyone cancels their appointment you would be willing to come in early. I didn't have a faint positive test, but my sister did and she is due in March. Good luck I hope all the best for you.

Answer 6

You are fine. As for the health department, they use cheap home pregnancy tests. They aren't any different then what you'd buy at the dollar store. Also 7 weeks is early enough that you aren't really sick yet or anything so "feeling" pregnant is quite relative. Stop wasting your money on HPTs and just wait it out. Don't worry too much. A positive is a positive.

Answer 7

I would suggest getting a vaginal ultrasound. That will be the final confirmation if there is anything in there. A blood test may or may not be definitive.

I will say this, though. In about 95% of faint positives, they really are positively pregnant.

Ask about a blood test and an ultrasound, though. These people you're going to don't sound like they know what they're doing.

Answer 8

This is all so normal and typical. Don't worry about the tests - they don't always give "clear as day" results and can be affected by all sorts of things (like drinking too much water or the time of day when you tested). Faint results are just as reliable as stronger ones. But the early months of pregnancy are a time to take of yourself (stop smoking, take prenatal vitamins, eat healthy and get rest).

Answer 9

The level of the certain hormone that confirms pregnancy may not be very strong yet, you just got to look on the bright side, i lost a little boy in march last year and am 25 weeks pregnant now, so i know how worried you are, but i'm sure everything will be fine, good luck and congratulations on the pregnancy

Answer 10

Hey girl... I say just hang in there if ALL of the tests are coming back positive, whether faint or not, you're definitely pregnant. Your being on an emotional roller coaster everyday is also another sign so just be excited and enjoy your pregnancy.