

Does a pregnancy work if possibly 30+ weeks pregnant?!

(90 Posts)
knan Thu 13-Mar-14 13:13:57

Hi there

I've got an 18 month old daughter who is still breastfeeding so my periods have not returned to normal, though the last two months I've had a slight bit of bleeding on a day each month which I thought could be my periods slowly returning.

I have separated from my husband and we last had sex in August and didn't use protection (we were still together then)

About a month after having sex I felt tired and nauseous so took a pregnancy test but it was negative. I even retook a test a little while later to be sure and again negative. These were just morrisons own brand though!

Anyway over Christmas I felt really tired and breathless at times and so the doctor tested my iron levels and also thyroid, all normal. If I was pregnant would these blood tests have shown I was pregnant or would they have had to have tested separately for that?

Reason I ask is that a few days ago I was laid in bed after all the chaos of running around after my little girl and I felt what felt exactly like fetal movements, not gas. It was so strange, like actual kicking/fluttering feeling. Then these past few mornings I've woke up feeling nauseous and this morning I swear I saw my stomach moving! Ive still not lost all the baby weight and in fact look about 20 weeks pregnant!

I've read online that pregnancy tests you buy don't work later in pregnancy? Anyone know if that's true?

I suppose I should go to doctors! I just feel like if I am pregnant I'd be well over 30 weeks as an estimation and surely It'd be obvious? I feel a bit mad!

ElleDubloo Thu 13-Mar-14 13:18:31

Yeah, you should definitely go to your doctors. As bHCG levels fall after the first trimester, the urine tests will likely be negative. If the baby's 30 weeks, then you should be able to feel your uterus about 10 cm above your belly button. You might also feel the baby's spine or head. But the only way to know for sure is to have an ultrasound.

ShadowFall Thu 13-Mar-14 13:21:21

I have no idea about the answer to your question about pregnancy tests, but if you're worried about this, I think it's best to go and talk to your doctor.

And pregnant women don't always look obviously pregnant. I had an annoyingly large amount of random acquaintances tell me after DS2 was born (at 37 weeks) that they hadn't realised I was pregnant. They'd just thought I'd put on a bit more weight (I am admittedly quite overweight).

Definetly get yourself to the doctors.

Good luck!

pomdereplay Thu 13-Mar-14 13:26:19

hCG levels fall but do not vanish even right up to the end of pregnancy. Here is a very rough guide: http://americanpregnancy.org/duringpregnancy/hcglevels.html
I would still very much expect a test of standard sensitivity to indicate a positive result if you were indeed pregnant. Talk to a doctor about your concerns if you are at all unsure.

pomdereplay Thu 13-Mar-14 13:26:48
NatashaBee Thu 13-Mar-14 13:28:00

No, a pg test wouldn't work if you're that far along. You would need to go to the doctors. I have to say though, after having DS I often get what feel exactly like baby movements (not even the fluttering type but full on movements). I'm not pregnant. Maybe it's another one of those weird post-birth things that nobody tells you about.

Wishfulmakeupping Thu 13-Mar-14 13:33:15

I posted a similar thread at the weekend. Yes a test wouldn't work now but dr can feel if you are- I thought if I was I would be over 20 weeks swore I could feel kicks etc but I'm not- confirmed by the dr

knan Thu 13-Mar-14 13:42:51

Thanks ladies. I've just tried to call docs to see if I could speak to them to check re previous blood tests. Maybe it is just one of those weird post childbirth body quirks? Very strange. I've got to call docs back tomorrow so I'm left wondering for now. X

knan Thu 13-Mar-14 13:45:40

Just checked out that link pomdereplay thanks, will get a home test if I can get to the shops later x

Souper Thu 13-Mar-14 13:48:42

Tests for iron and thyroid will definitely not tell you if you are pregnant. The doctor would have had to have requested the specific pregnancy test to be carried out by the lab, which he would not have done routinely. Make an appointment to see the doctor. If you are 30 weeks pregnant he will almost certainly be able to tell just by examining you as your uterus will be easily palpable.

knan Thu 13-Mar-14 13:50:10

Great thanks souper, I'll make an appt in the morning x

pomdereplay Thu 13-Mar-14 13:51:34

As the others have said, a quick feel of your uterus by a GP will be able to rule pregnancy in or out quite easily.

Because I am strange I had a go with an internet cheapy test (am 27 weeks) and still got strong positive, if that helps at all!

Good luck -- I imagine the uncertainty is awful!

CrispyFB Thu 13-Mar-14 13:51:44

I can never work out where this myth about pregnancy tests not working later on comes from! Of course they still work!

The bHCG levels drop from the end of the first trimester but they're still crazy high compared to, well, not pregnant, and definitely easily seen on a pregnancy test. I love POAS and have been known to do so in the third trimester for a laugh, trust me, it's positive grin In fact I'm 8 days post birth now and I bet it would still come up positive.

diege Thu 13-Mar-14 13:53:02

I did a pregnancy test at 30 plus weeks and the line came up quicker than the control one. A friend and I (also pregnant but just a few weeks) were interested in testing out the claim that hcg won't show up at that stage, and were actually surprised that it came up so fast!

diege Thu 13-Mar-14 13:54:00

<waves at crispy, fellow FMC buddy grin>

ItsSpringBaby Thu 13-Mar-14 15:22:40

A pregnancy test would work, like Crispy said they are extremely sensitive. There's no way HCG levels would be equal to someone who is not pregnant!

I'd also suggest that at 30 weeks approx you would have some unmistakeable signs...I'm at roughly the same point now. Carrying a small-average sized baby, but even laying here typing this I'm getting some good Alien-style kicks!

It would probably be worth going back to the GP just for peace of mind though.

DinoSnores Thu 13-Mar-14 15:28:08

It is, as others have said, a complete myth that pregnancy tests don't work in late pregnancy. The only possibility that this might ever be the case is if hcg levels are sooooo high that the test is overwhelmed. It is called the hook effect.

eexcitement Thu 13-Mar-14 16:01:43

Obviously got to the docs anyhow, but I really thinks its v unlikely.
I know there are crazy stories about people who don't realise they're pregnant but!!
I conceived bout August 30th so would be around the same or a week or so behind you.
I have a big bump now - hard and putting a lot of pressure on my diaphragm and ribs - the last month there is no mistaking it and I've been getting REALLY kickboxed by bubs since the end of jan - movements like your describing would have been more December time.
I know everyone's different, but you would only have 7-9 weeks to go.
I think ud be very sure.

Excitedforxmas Thu 13-Mar-14 16:04:22

My friend didn't have a clue she was pregnant until she went into labour so totally possible. Good luck x

neolara Thu 13-Mar-14 16:05:36

There was a thread on here a couple of months ago by someone posting about what could be causing her very bad stomach pain. A couple of hours later she had a baby.

ElleDubloo Thu 13-Mar-14 17:20:12

Neolara - why was she posting on a pregnancy board if she didn't know she was pregnant?

Honeybear30 Thu 13-Mar-14 17:28:23

There was a lady on conception a while back to who felt like she could be pregnant due to tiredness and 'feeling' kicks. She would have been about 20 weeks if she was. She ended up having a scan which showed nothing. But she swore she felt movements. Some people do have negative pregnancy tests their whole pregnancy. Best of luck at the doctors!

KeithTheCat Thu 13-Mar-14 17:31:58

elle she didn't. it was in chat or something.

ElleDubloo Thu 13-Mar-14 17:36:46

Oh I see smile

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