r/amipregnant Feb 28 '21

“But what about a cryptic pregnancy?”

719 Upvotes

Is this you?

  1. Last had sex more than 3 weeks ago (sometimes months)
  2. Have had multiple negative home tests or blood tests for HCG
  3. (optional) Have had periods or withdrawal bleeds since having sex.

But you’re still concerned that you might be pregnant based on shows like “I didn’t know I was pregnant” or online stories about cryptic pregnancy. Could it be that?

So, in a word, no. If you have multiple negative pregnancy tests three weeks after having sex, you’re not pregnant. In order to support a pregnancy your body produces HCG. Without HCG, there is no pregnancy. HCG tells the corpus luteum to continue producing progesterone, and is required for major changes to sustain pregnancy like growing a placenta. Home pregnancy tests are very reliable at detecting even trace amounts of HCG, and blood tests as well.

There are three causes of false negatives with home pregnancy tests:

The first: Early measurement after conception. When people talk about cryptic pregnancy, they either never take a test, or they took a test too early and became pregnant after. It takes at least 7 days for a fertilized egg to float downstream and implant into the uterine lining. That’s why you have to wait about 2 weeks to take a pregnancy test after unprotected sex - 3 weeks makes it 100% solid result.

You’ll also see people say “I knew I was pregnant, but I didn’t test positive until I was 6 weeks”. This is because of how pregnancy is dated from the last menstrual period (the day your period started), but, embryonic development only starts after an egg is ovulated and fertilized. In a textbook 28 day cycle, this happens on day 14, and the first day your period is missed you get a positive test. In real life, bodies are a little more complicated, and sometimes people ovulate weeks later leading to a discrepancy - a doctor will tell them they are 6 weeks pregnancy based on their last menstrual period, but in embryonic terms they are only 4 weeks pregnant because they ovulated on the 28th day of their cycle. If they tested when they were ‘late’ on the 29th, it would have been a negative test. They weren’t pregnant, but they became pregnant later. For people who are more visual, I have made a very ugly calendar for the above example scenario.

For a longer, more detailed explanation: "Your period isn't late" Part 1 and Part 2

The second: Dilute urine specimen. If your HCG levels are low, drinking a lot of water can result in false negatives in very early pregnancy. This is typically why you’ll see folks talking about testing with first morning urine - it’s the most concentrated. HCG roughly doubles every 48-72 hours, and you can see in this figure how fast. At 20 days of embryonic development (aka about 3 weeks after sex), on average a pregnant person will have HCG around 1000 mIU/ml. At home tests are typically rated for detecting 10 - 25 mIU/ml.

The Third: The Hook effect. This is where there is too much HCG for a test to work properly. It is unlikely that this is happening especially if you’ve taken multiple tests. First, peak HCG is typically around 10-14 weeks pregnant - after this, it starts coming back down. Second, tests are often tested for the hook effect - wondfos (a very cheap test) showed no hook effect to concentrations of 200,000 mIU/ml. First Response Early Result showed no hook effect at 1,000,000 mIU/ml - much higher than any normal pregnancy. If you are concerned about it because you’re taking your first pregnancy tests 12-17 weeks after sex, you might dilute a sample of urine just in case for a second test. Although, that would be very unnecessary if you’re using an FRER.

When people do not figure out they are pregnant for months at a time, it is typically because they have not taken any tests. Denial of pregnancy is a more accurate descriptor.

If you believe yourself pregnant despite all the evidence, or having a lot of anxiety and fear around being pregnant, you may want to see a mental health specialist. If you’re feeling very unwell, or haven't had a period in months, you may want to see a doctor. Scarleteen has a great page on these things as well.

Want to learn about pregnancy tests? Great video

TL;DR HCG is required to support a pregnancy - if you've gotten multiple negative tests across a large time frame, there is no possible way you are pregnant from sex more than 3 weeks ago.

Feedback and questions welcome! Also if anybody has any resources they want to share, please do.


r/amipregnant Mar 14 '23

FAQs ANSWERED with Sources. Friendly PSAs for AmIPregnant

288 Upvotes

Hello friends! Mod Stress here to address a few things that come up often on this sub. Resources provided. :)

1.) You cannot get pregnant from fingering, with or without precum. Unless globs of fresh semen are being inserted into a vagina, fingering is just not going to cause a pregnancy. Dry humping also cannot cause a pregnancy. This article goes through all the sexual things that can happen that have no chance of pregnancy.

2.) It's extremely unlikely to get pregnant without PIV sex.* *Not including medical processes such as IVF to cause a pregnancy.

3.) If you're having unprotected sex, pregnancy is always technically possible. Doesn't matter if it's "just the tip" or "three strokes" or "pulled out before ejaculation." Pullout is 78% effective over the course of a year. Some of these scenarios are much less likely to result in a pregnancy than others, but we can't extrapolate the data like that. You're unlikely to get pregnant from one singular instance of unprotected sex, but it's always possible.

4.) Implantation bleeding is a misnomer. In fact, implantation is too small a phenomena to cause any symptoms.

5.) A test is mostly accurate 14 days after sex and definitive 21 days after. If you're getting negative tests 2+ weeks after sex, you are not pregnant. Regardless of if you have your period or not. In early pregnancy, concentration of urine matters. Take a pink dye test after a 3-4 hour urine hold without drinking too much water for the most accurate results. At 21+ days after sex, dilution of urine won't matter. Do not look at tests outside of their validity window and thoroughly read the instructions for your test before you take it.

6.) You cannot have a true period and be pregnant. Some women experience light bleeding in early pregnancy (this is NOT their period). If bleeding were related to pregnancy, a test would be positive.

7.) It takes more HCG to cause symptoms than a positive test. If you're testing negative, any symptoms you are currently experiencing are not currently related to pregnancy. Lots of early pregnancy symptoms overlap with normal PMS symptoms.

8.) Am I having a Cryptic Pregnancy?? No, you're not.

9.) The only way to truly know when you ovulated using an approved FAM method. Apps are not an accurate way to track, your body doesn't know to follow an algorithm off your phone. While things like CM and OPKs may indicate your body is gearing up to ovulate, they do not confirm ovulation. Check out the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility and [r/FAMnNFP](r/FAMnNFP).

Some other helpful tips:

  • Read the leaflet that comes with your birth control so you understand how your medication works, possible side effects, how to use it, etc. [r/birthcontrol](r/birthcontrol) is also a good source.
  • If you're on birth control and using it properly, you are having protected sex (from pregnancy). This is true whether or not you are using a condom. If you are using protection properly, you do not need Plan B.
  • Don't want to become pregnant? READ THIS before engaging in sexual activity.
  • The buddy system: using more than one method of contraceptive when engaging in sexual activities
  • How is pregnancy dated?
  • If you're taking Plan B, read the leaflet. It will go through all the possible side effects. [r/PlanBs](r/PlanBs) is also a good friend.
  • If your symptoms are of concern, visit a doctor.
  • Do not trust TikTok or YouTube as your medical advice.
  • A lot of our users are from the Philippines. [r/SafeSexPH](r/SafeSexPH) is a great resource!
  • Want us to look at your tests? [r/lineporn](r/lineporn)
  • Are you TTC? Check out [r/TryingForABaby](r/TryingForABaby)
  • Confirmed pregnancy? Head over to [r/pregnant](r/pregnant)

- Looking for abortion resources? r/abortion

  • Sex Ed Websites: scarleteen, bedsider, planned parenthood

r/amipregnant 57m ago

Trying to figure it out

Upvotes

Typically I’m a 26-28 day cycle I’m currently on cycle day 31. on cycle days 28 and 29 it felt like my period was coming but my cramps felt different and af never started (obvi) I test and get negatives but it’s blowing my mind how I’m having pms symptoms but no period. How likely is it that I’m pregnant? the only other times I’ve been late I was pregnant with my two kids. with my first it took almost 4 days to show up but my second it was on the first day of my missed. I know time will tell but I need to hear what the other possibilities could be or stories from others who have been in this situation before. I’m going crazy.


r/amipregnant 1h ago

just need assurance

Upvotes

me and bf had period sex & it was my 2nd day, he pulled out and came outside. its safe right ??


r/amipregnant 6h ago

In denial? lol

2 Upvotes

Hi all! My period is supposed to come today but hasn’t, I took a pregnancy test at about midday but it was a really tiny pee (tmi sorry!) so it was only in the stream for like one second. It came back negative and my period still hasn’t come yet! Any chance I could be pregnant and that it was a false negative?

14DPO, honestly can’t remember for the life of me when we were intimate I’m pretty sure it was the follicular phase though.

I’m not very symptomatic and I feel like my period will turn up tomorrow sadly lol, but a tinyyy part of me is hoping!


r/amipregnant 3h ago

Help TTC. DPO

1 Upvotes

Hi all. I (28) and husband (30) are trying to concieve seriously starting this month. I had my period on 5th july. We both work so due to lack of time and energy had BD on 12th july and 18th july when husband finished inside. Has also BD on 15th july but no ejaculation occurred. Now I am dpo. No idea when i ovulated. Was tracking with EWCM. I know silly of me. Saw EWCM on 17th july so tried BD . Now past 2 days i had symptoms like super gassy, loose bowels and today i had a lump in the back of throat which makes me feel nauseous. Is there any possibility of conception currently?

Please be gentle as I am still learning about the process.


r/amipregnant 4h ago

Could I be pregnant

1 Upvotes

Hello I’m 30 year old Female have never had kids before, I been on the pill for 3 years straight until this year march it only took a month for me to start getting my periods again since the birth control stopped my period. Ever since April my period would always come on the 18th and it came every single month since April. On this month on the 14th I was in the hospital because I had the parasite that’s going around and when they drew blood it showed on my results that the pregnancy test was negative. Today is now the 22nd and I don’t have my period at all. Usually I can tell days before my period comes by my boobs aching, cramping and I gain appetite but I have not had any of those symptoms at all. I have been slacking on getting a test due to working 15 hours a day but I plan on getting one tomorrow, my partner and I have talked and would love to raise a baby but right now curiosity is killing me lol, I need an opinion if I’m close to being pregnant


r/amipregnant 5h ago

I have a 6 month old baby, could I be pregnant?

1 Upvotes

So... I've got a 6 month old and my period returned when he was 3, alright. My cycle was regular for the first two months, but now it is I don't know, a week late? Me and my husband only had sex once after my last period ended, and for a series of reasons... I don't know what to think.

I've had a VERY symptomatic pregnancy with my first, from the first three days of conception, and they were pretty intense. Nausea, hunger, increased sense of smell, becoming suddenly highly emotional, sore breasts and all.

But right now, I have none of these, except for the emotions and the sore breasts, but I've been like this ever since my little one was born. Besides, my breasts do get a bit tender because well- I am breastfeeding!

My body usually gives me clear signs when I am ovulating/about to ovulate or about to get my period.

However, this month my body feels like a weird sack of potatoes. I am still breastfeeding, still taking my vitamins, eating well, I'm not particularly stressed- but somehow, my body showed no signs of ovulation or a period, nothing.

The only thing I feel is a little constant random bloating sensation in my belly, but then again- I don't think it says much.

There is nothing that indicates an actual pregnancy or denies it, so I'm very confused and would like to know if you guys have been through something like this and how you navigated it! Is it worth taking a pharmacy pregnancy test? My husband almost panic bought one, but I told him "naaaah I'm not pregnant", but now I'm a bit hesitant about that statement.


r/amipregnant 6h ago

2 days late after unprotected sex (withdrawal method) 10 days ago – Looking for advice / next steps (Sri Lanka)

1 Upvotes

Hey everyone,
I’m looking for some realistic guidance and advice on what to do next.
• Timeline: Had unprotected sex 10 days ago. Used the withdrawal (pull-out) method before ejaculation.

**•   Current Situation:** Her period is currently 2 days late.

**•   Location:** Sri Lanka.

We know withdrawal isn't 100% effective due to pre-cum. Given the legal restrictions around abortion in Sri Lanka, we are quite anxious about the situation.
1. When is the earliest/most reliable time for her to take an early-detection pregnancy test?

2.  Are there safe, confidential resources or clinics in Sri Lanka (like FPA) that we can reach out to for accurate advice and testing?

Any advice on how to navigate this calmly would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.


r/amipregnant 7h ago

could i be pregnant (teen…)

0 Upvotes

heyyy so i’m 16F, and i’ve been having some weird symptoms at the moment but idk if they’re just birth control, my body, or could i be pregnant

i’ve been bloating a LOT over the past few months, like since december last year but it’s been getting a lot worse, there’s a lot of loud stomach movement, i get nauseous quite often, i’ve been having killer mood swings (screaming to crying to laughing in like 5 minutes), and i pee like 10-12 times a day (TMI i have a problem where i can’t empty my bladder and i’ve had it looked at on an ultrasound but im still worried)

i am on the combined pill (i think?) and i rarely take it on time, i take it anywhere from 4-9:30 pm, i always forget, and my boyfriend and i don’t use condoms but he has never ejaculated in me and always pulls out occasionally to check if everything is okay, but my doctor told me i should be fine.

i’m in a shitty situation with my parents so i can’t go to them for support or help if i am pregnant

(sorry for the formatting, i don’t know how to post)


r/amipregnant 7h ago

11 days delayed, pms resolved, still no period

1 Upvotes

Hi!

To give background, LMP is around the first week of June so around 48 days in my cycle and then I had protected (condom) sex on June 15/29 both days my man came inside the condom, the second time he continued while still being hard but on the verge of going limp (but the condom stayed on). Upon unwrapping the condom after sex, there was liquid that came out of the base so we just assumed that none leaked. In addition, we water tested it and held up well.

My concern is why am I still late and still no signs of my period? I had pms symptoms like breast tenderness and mild cramps around at around day 39 but was resolved at day 46. There was no spotting or any discoloration.

Another concern is, even tho my man’s finished inside the condom and continued for about a minute, is still wrapped and semi-hard it could not have been the reason for leaks? Since liquids only came out upon unwrapping it.

I still haven’t taken any tests as there’s still a big psychological barrier about it. Help me.


r/amipregnant 8h ago

likelihood of pregnancy/implantation period

1 Upvotes

hello all, throwaway for obvious reasons

I just got my period, however I have a lingering fear of this being an implementation period.

I had sex on day 1 or 2 of my ovulation window (I know this via the app/tracker i use) and no condoms or plan b was used after. however my partner didn't finish inside me or near my vagina, but I also understand pre cum can still contain sprem

im trying to keep calm as

  1. the entire month of July i was stressed out ( I also have a terrible eating schedule -- ill skip meals or eat small and unhealthy meals )

and 2. continuing to stress will make my period worse

I guess if anyone have advice or words of wisdom that would be great.

i do intend to take a test after this period ends as well


r/amipregnant 8h ago

delayed period (protected sex and taking antibiotics)

1 Upvotes

my period has been delayed for 5 days. 11 days ago, i had protected sex with a condom and my bf came inside the condom. i did the water test and didn't find any leaks. my discharge the day i had protected sex is kinda resembling ovulation period, but the next day it dries up and leaves watery and white bits on my panties, until now. since the dry discharge, i had mild cramps sometimes.

i had UTI and got prescribed antibiotics for 7 days, two weeks before i had sex. and a few days after finishing the antibiotics, i had spotting for 5 days-ish with a big blob of clear jelly discharge.

what are the chances of pregnancy here? does UTI/taking antibiotics could delay your period?


r/amipregnant 8h ago

Help?

0 Upvotes

Okay, this is a doozy.
I’m 27F. My husband and I had unprotected sex on July 13, which was around day 3–4 of my period. I do take birth control, but because I was on the placebo week, I didn’t start my new pack of active pills until Saturday (July 18).
We definitely weren’t trying to conceive because we figured the chances were extremely low, but now my body feels off.
Here’s what’s been going on:
Lower back pain that started a few days later.
Burping CONSTANTLY (seriously after water, bland food, everything). This is very unlike me.
Breasts aren’t sore but they feel noticeably heavier/fuller.
Today I’ve had pretty intense nausea and have gagged multiple times.
I’ve also been way more emotional than usual.
Then on July 20, I had very light brown spotting that lasted only a few hours. It wasn’t enough to need a liner and then it completely stopped.
Today (July 22), I took a CVS pregnancy test in the evening and it was negative, which honestly I expected because it feels early.
My questions are:
Has anyone had symptoms like this so early and ended up being pregnant, or does this sound more like hormones from birth control?
If conception somehow happened from sex on July 13, when would you realistically expect a home pregnancy test to turn positive?
I know the odds are low, and I’m not asking anyone to tell me I’m pregnant. I’m just trying to figure out if I’m completely overthinking this because my body genuinely feels different this cycle.
Please be kind. I’m an anxious first-timer and would really appreciate hearing other people’s experiences. ❤️


r/amipregnant 9h ago

Best day to test

1 Upvotes

So on July 6th I had unprotected sex he pulled out however it was alot... looked on my app and ovulation was starting in 2 days on the 8th...been very tired lately and nauseous and slight twinges and cramps my period is supposed to come in about 5 days it says on my flo app, should I test now or wait until it's late?


r/amipregnant 19h ago

pretty sure i’m pregnant

3 Upvotes

haven’t had a positive test yet but here’s the rundown.

according to my period tracker, my cycles tend to be about 29 days and it predicted i’d ovulate on 7/14.

i had unprotected sex where he came inside me on 7/16. i took plan b on 7/18. i know it’s less effective since i’m over 150 lbs, but i took it just in case.

then i learn that plan b doesn’t work when you’re ovulating. if i can remember correctly, i had clear, slimy discharge around the time i took the plan b. today (7/22) i just started getting some mild cramping in the lower stomach/uterus region.

i’ve been pregnant twice before and i honestly feel like i’m pregnant again as i had the exact same symptoms the previous times. my period is due in 5 days.


r/amipregnant 12h ago

Are condoms still effective if I didn’t hold the base while withdrawing?

1 Upvotes

My girlfriend and I recently had sex using a condom. After I ejaculated, I forgot to hold the base of the condom while pulling out. The condom stayed on and didn’t break, but it slid up partway during withdrawal.

Does failing to hold the base automatically mean the condom failed or that semen likely leaked? Or are condoms still considered effective as long as they remain intact and don’t come off completely?

I’d appreciate any explanations on how this works so we can use condoms more correctly in the future. Thanks!


r/amipregnant 12h ago

Please help assure us that we did the pregnancy test at the correct time.

1 Upvotes

Hello everyone.
We had protected sex on July 8th. A condom was used the whole time, I always pulled out even with the condom on, and I checked the condom afterward for leaks or tears (found none). This was also 6–8 days after her ovulation, since her period was expected around July 14th (according to Flo and one other app whose name I forgot).
I did switch to a second condom after the first ejaculation, but the erection didn't last too long, the condom didn't break, and it came off at the same time as my penis.

Around July 14th, she experienced spotting for about 3 days. She told me that a larger blood clot also passed. I'm not sure how big it was, but she said it was a bit bigger than the other spotting.

On July 23rd (14–15 days post-intercourse), I asked her to take pregnancy tests using test strips. 3 tests, 3 different brands. I asked her to read all the instructions carefully and follow them exactly as directed. All 3 tests showed a single line, meaning negative.

After the test (july 23rd), she also mentioned experiencing lower back soreness, which is her usual period symptom.
on July 17th she mentioned she experienced lower back soreness as well, but it was not very noticeable.

Did we do the test at the correct time, or was it too soon? I told her that if her period still hasn't come within 5 days, she should take another test.


r/amipregnant 12h ago

Am I pregnant

1 Upvotes

Okay, so my cycles range from 30 to 37 days. Yeah, I know it sucks😅
Anyway, before my period started this cycle, I began having unusual nausea. I almost never get nauseous unless I have an upset stomach, and I knew that wasn’t the case this time. My period started at 36CD with reddish spotting, then the flow became heavy enough that I needed pads for four days. Yesterday and today, though, it’s gone back to just spotting. My periods usually last only four days, so I’m surprised I’m still spotting on day 6.
I’m also still having morning nausea, and my body temperature feels higher than usual.
I know I should take a home pregnancy test, but I’m just wondering if this has happened to anyone else and it ended up being pregnancy.


r/amipregnant 13h ago

what causes people to have false negatives 3 weeks after sex?

0 Upvotes

It doesn't make sense to me as why people are claiming they have gotten negative pregnancy tests 3 weeks post ovulation because by then your hcg levels would be more than high enough to detect with any pregnancy test at that point.. it just doesnt make sense how that would be possible, are these people not testing correctly or what?


r/amipregnant 13h ago

Pregnant

0 Upvotes

I’m so worried that I’m pregnant I had unprotected with my then bf I left him cause he was immature but now I have a scare I already deal with health anxiety so I’ve been hard on myself I feel so stupid and dumb , I hate myself for this I don’t know what to do I called my ex telling him to look for abortion clinics in case I am but I really hope I’m not , my health anxiety is controlling my life I really can’t do anything


r/amipregnant 17h ago

Are condoms still effective if I didn’t hold the base while withdrawing?

2 Upvotes

My girlfriend and I recently had sex using a condom. After I ejaculated, I forgot to hold the base of the condom while pulling out. The condom stayed on and didn’t break, but it slid up partway during withdrawal.

Does failing to hold the base automatically mean the condom failed or that semen likely leaked? Or are condoms still considered effective as long as they remain intact and don’t come off completely?

I’d appreciate any explanations on how this works so we can use condoms more correctly in the future. Thanks!


r/amipregnant 14h ago

Negative test on the 19th and 20th Very light bleeding on 15th - tapered in the spotting 16th-17th.. Very confused as my cycles have always been above 28 days. This one was 25 days from my last (31 day cycle) Today I'm cramping and white creamy cm? Thoughts?

1 Upvotes

r/amipregnant 15h ago

Am I actually pregnant?

1 Upvotes

So I've been ttc and for a bit of context I have lean pcos not symptomatic except for very irregular periods anywho my period was 50 days late so it's ofc hard to determine when I ovulated. But the last 5 or 6 days now I've been having waves of nausea, cramps, pinches, and even a weird what fel like an ovary spasm. Just really odd symptoms and bad menstrual like cramps. I tested and thought I saw a super faint positive. So I thought I'd give it three days to get darker. I took it it with first morning urine and absolutely no line. But still I feel these strange symptoms that are very unusual for me. So my question is does anyone have any relation to this? If so please tell me what it was like and the outcome. Thanks :)