Is It Possible To Be Pregnant And Still Have A Period
No. A period is when the lining of your uterus sheds because an egg did not implant. That is the whole purpose of a period. If you are having your period, then you are shedding the inner lining of your uterus to prepare for another month of trying to conceive. If you are shedding the lining of your uterus while you are pregnant, then that will result in a miscarriage.
On the other hand, not all bleeding is a period. Many women believe that they are having a period during their pregnancy because they have significant spotting in early pregnancy. The spotting usually comes from the damage that implantation is causing to the lining of your uterus. As the embryo buries deep into the uterus, you might find pink or dark brown blood on your undies or toilet paper when you use the restroom.
Other reasons you might have bleeding during your pregnancy is Subchorionic Hematoma or placenta previa. Neither of these types of bleeding would be considered a period, but would be totally understandable for you to be concerned about.
Make an appointment with an OBGYN ASAP if you are concerned about bleeding during any point of your pregnancy.
Weird Early Symptoms Of Pregnancy
Something that sticks out to me as my “ah ha!” moments of realizing I was pregnant before I’d even taken a pregnancy test is that the symptoms I first noticed were weird, not typical. Like yeah, those common pregnancy symptoms popped up for me later on, but in those two weeks before my missed period I wasn’t running around barfing in planters or peeing every five seconds like you see in the movies.
Instead, being grossed out by a favorite meal and feeling suddenly so dizzy on an autumn walk that I needed to sit down tipped me off that I might just be pregnant , even before I was far enough along to get an accurate result on a home pregnancy test.
A Sign Your Symptoms Indicate Something Else
If you skip your cycle or have irregular periods and youre not pregnant, there could be several other reasons. Some of the most common things to cause a change in the usual pattern can be fluctuations in your weight, hyper- or hypothyroidism, extreme stress and extreme exercise. Some hormonal methods of contraception can also affect your periods. There is a medical condition called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS, where women often stop getting their periods or have irregular cycles.
Its always a good idea to see your health care provider if youre not having a regular monthly period, Giles said. We can do a workup for irregular cycles or for absence of cycles that may include a blood test and a pelvic ultrasound. Its important to get treatment for amenorrhea or irregular cycles to prevent a condition known as endometrial hyperplasia. There are many treatment options to prevent this from happening.
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Missed Period Is A Sign Of Pregnancy
Of course, missing a period is one of the most common symptoms of early pregnancy or implantation. For women who have regular menstrual cycles, missing a period will usually prompt them to get a pregnancy test.
There can also be other reasons, apart from pregnancy, that cause you to miss a period. Dr. Pagano says that stress, losing or gaining a lot of weight, fatigue, or hormonal problems can also affect your menstrual cycle. However, if your period is late and you have other signs of implantation, then you should get a pregnancy test.5
Uti Vs Early Pregnancy
Remember though, you can be pregnant with a UTI at the same time and you can buy at-home tests for both of these things just about anywhere!
| Only UTI | |
|---|---|
|
Frequent need to pee, feeling of fullness in lower abdomen, bloating, raised temperature, nausea, sensitivity to smells, fatigue |
Severe burning and pain during urination, actual fever |
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Youve Missed Your Period
If youâre in your childbearing years, sexually active, and more than a week has passed since the day your period was expected to start, itâs very possible youâre pregnant. If you have an irregular menstrual cycle, have recently experienced significant weight loss or weight gain, or stopped taking your birth control pills, a missed period may not be a reason to worry. However, missed periods are perhaps the most tell-tale sign of a potential pregnancy, so be sure to take a pregnancy test if youâre in this situation. Many pregnant women experience some bleeding around two weeks after fertilization and mistake it for a light period, but a missed period on their next cycle will indicate a pregnancy. â
How Far Along Am I
Knowing how far along you are in pregnancy is useful for both you and your healthcare provider. Your provider will use this information to check on your babyâs growth and development, to keep an eye on your health, and to schedule tests and exams.
The weeks of pregnancy are also grouped into three trimesters:
-
First trimester: 0 to 13 weeks
-
Second trimester: 14 to 27 weeks
-
Third trimester: 28 to 40 weeks
So that you can see at a glance how far along you are in your pregnancy, and which trimester you are in, check out the illustration below:
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You May Feel The Following:
- some drowsiness or sickness
- nagging abdominal pain
- swelling or soreness of your breasts
Certainly, all these symptoms really look like PMS, but in some cases you may feel them a little bit stronger or different from what you normally experience before period. Some women may notice bloody spotting. It is the so-called implantation bleeding and you dont need to be scared it happens when the fertilized ovum attaches to the uterus wall. However, if you are anxious about your state it would be better for you to consult with your doctor.
Do All Women Get Early Symptoms Of Pregnancy
Every woman is different. So are their experiences of pregnancy. Not every woman has the same symptoms or even the same symptoms from one pregnancy to the next.
Also, because the early symptoms of pregnancy often mimic the symptoms you might experience right before and during menstruation, you may not realize you’re pregnant.
What follows is a description of some of the most common early symptoms of pregnancy. You should know that these symptoms may be caused by other things besides being pregnant. So the fact that you notice some of these symptoms does not necessarily mean you are pregnant. The only way to tell for sure is with a pregnancy test.
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Other Pregnancy Signs And Symptoms
When Pregnancy Is Unintentional
If you had unprotected sex or a contraceptive failure and fear you could get pregnant, emergency contraception is an option. Commonly called the “morning-after pill,” medications are available over-the-counter that can prevent pregnancy if taken within five days of having unprotected sex.
The sooner you take these medications, the more effective they are in preventing an unintended pregnancy. These medications do not cause an abortion, but rather prevent a pregnancy from being established.
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Whats Happening In Your Body If Youre Not Pregnant
Your menstrual cycle is what prepares your body for pregnancy each month, but if that doesnt happen it returns to a predictable series of events to carry on for the next month. If a fertilized egg hasnt found its way to the lining of your uterus for implantation, that lining is no longer needed and the familiar shed and subsequent bleeding will eventually take place.
Since premenstrual symptoms can look very similar to those of an early pregnancy, it can be hard to tell what those symptoms might mean. The differences between pregnancy and an impending period are subtle and can vary from woman to woman.
How Many Women Have Typical Pregnancy Signs And Symptoms
Not all women have typical pregnancy symptoms. Only about 1 in 2 pregnant women have pregnancy symptoms, and there is nothing wrong if you are pregnant and have none of these symptoms.
Very early symptoms differ from one woman to the next and from one pregnancy to the next. Some women can experience them within a week after ovulation, fertilization, and conception. Yet, others may develop much later, well after a missed period and/or positive pregnancy test. Other women may never have any symptoms at all.
While these are the most common early symptoms of pregnancy it’s important to realize that many of these symptoms may be caused by other things besides pregnancy. So the fact that you notice some of these symptoms does not necessarily mean you are pregnant. The only way to tell for sure is to do a pregnancy test.
The most significant sign of a pregnancy is a late or missed menstrual period, but the only definitive diagnosis is a positive pregnancy test.
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About Our Fertility Expert Dr Amin Gorgy
Dr Gorgy co-founded The Fertility & Gynaecology Academy in 2004 and is now its co-director. Previously, he was the deputy director of the Assisted Reproduction and Gynaecology Centre. He is a fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and a member of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.
S Of Implantation Bleeding Vs Period
The images below can give you a better impression on how the color and quantity of implantation bleeding differ from regular period.
Some of the main differences between implantation bleeding and your period are:
- Menstrual blood is a red to dark red color and is much heavier than implantation bleeding which looks like light pink or brown spots.
- Menstrual flow lasts anywhere from 3 days to 7 days whereas implantation bleeding may only last a few hours.
- Blood during your period has a thicker consistency than implantation spotting which is light.
- You can sometimes have a dark or black period, but this usually happens at the end of your period whereas implantation bleeding is always the same color.
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Elevated Basal Body Temperature
An elevation in your body temperature, also known as your basal body temperature, can be an early signifier of pregnancy as well. Typically, the basal body temperature rises around ovulation as progesterone hormone levels rise and then drops when you begin your period. After conception, your basal body temperature will stay elevated from ovulation and throughout your pregnancy. If it has been over two weeks of consecutive days with a high temperature, you could be pregnant. Taking an at-home pregnancy test will best determine this.
How Soon Can I Take A Pregnancy Test
You should wait at least one to two weeks after you have sex to take a home pregnancy test. That is the earliest the test will detect levels of human chorionic gonadotropin , a hormone produced during pregnancy.
If you take a test too early, it may not yet be able to detect hCG. If possible, you should wait and test the week after you miss your period.
After getting a positive home pregnancy test, see a doctor and let them know. They will be able to confirm the pregnancy and discuss next steps in your prenatal care.
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Am I Pregnant12 Pregnancy Signs And Symptoms To Look For
Have you been experiencing bodily changes? Do you think you may be pregnant? This can be a puzzling time as it is. To add to the confusion, many pregnancy signs and symptoms can have causes unlinked to pregnancy.
You should know that the early signs of pregnancy tend to differ from one woman to the next. Of course, your best bet is to take a pregnancy test as soon as possible. But paying attention to early symptoms of pregnancy is also important. With that in mind, consider these 12 early signs of pregnancy.
Dark Areola Or Nipples
A rise in estrogen and progesterone levels produces more pigmentation in your breast area. This is a very telling sign of pregnancy because not enough estrogen and progesterone is produced before your period to darken your areola.
If you have hormonal imbalance, you may see a fluctuation in the color of your areola, which is not a sign of pregnancy. But, if you are regular, and you are suddenly seeing darker nipples before your period when you wouldn’t normally see it otherwise, you may be pregnant!
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We Know You’re Wondering: Is It Possible To Be Pregnant And Still Have A Period
Nope, experts say. Some people may experience bleeding or spotting, but those are different bleeding patterns from the cyclical menses your body experiences in absence of a pregnancy.
Dr. Michele Hakakha, an OB-GYN and author of Expecting 411: Clear Answers and Smart Advice for Your Pregnancy, told Parents that people definitely can experience vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, but that “when they bleed, they are not having a ‘period.'” That’s because your body needs to reserve the uterine lining as nourishment for the growing pregnancy.
Although bleeding during pregnancy doesn’t always mean cause for concern, it can indicate something more serious like a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, according to the Mayo Clinic.
In the earliest stage of pregnancy, however, some very light bleeding is totally normal and leads us to our first pregnancy clue: implantation bleeding.
Implantation bleeding usually doesn’t last more than a couple of days, and it’s much lighter than most people’s periods .