How Soon Can You Tell?

Updated on October 30, 2006
J.S. asks from Springfield, MO
7 answers

I have looked at several websites and can't really understand what they mean. I know that a home pregnancy test can give a positive around the first missed period, but how far along do you have to be for a test to give you a positive result? If anyone is pretty familiar with conception facts, here's a little information about me that may be useful in determining whether I may or may not be able to tell from a test now:
I started my period late (when I was 14), and have never really had regular periods. I would usually go 5-6 weeks between them, sometimes longer. After my last child was born, I went on the DepoProvera shot. I was on that for about 18 months. I didn't have a period at all during that time. After having complications with the shot, I went off of it and took a birth control pill for 2 months. Currently it has been around 4 months since I have used any form of birth control. During that time, my periods were right around 4 weeks apart. I ended my last period within the last couple of days in September. Normally in the first 2 days of my period, I get some cramping. Yesterday, I had very heavy cramping, worse than usual, and some today, but no bleeding. So it raises some concerns for me. Not enough so to go see a doctor at this time, unless it continues for a couple more days with no bleeding. Anyone who can offer me some insight to answer my questions, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you in advance!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

I guess I got my answer already. Because I am indecisive as well as impatient (not a great combination sometimes), I got a home pregnancy test. It is positive! I'm going to make an appointment on Monday with my doctor to find out for sure (because one line is very faint, but still quite visible). With three kids, I have not had a false positive, even when the second line is very faint, so I already have myself set on the fact that I am pregnant!

More Answers

M.G.

answers from Dallas on

Congratulations!
I just wanted to comment on the cramps that you were experiencing. My fourth pregnancy I had very bad cramping (but w/ small amounts of blood) so I went into the doctor. He told me that it was possible that it was "implantation cramping". That is when the fertilized egg implants itself to the uterine wall and can cause pain and sometime light bleeding. That may have been what you experienced. Be sure to tell your doctor about that no matter what that way he can check you out. Just to play it safe.
I have 5 children and from experience I can tell you that not all pregnancies are the same, even for one mom. I felt like such an idiot w/ my fifth one. I figured that I should know everythin by this point. I read so many books on pregnancy and childbirth and newborns. I probably could have written my own book. But there were still some things that popped up that were new to me.
I wish you all the best of luck. And hope that everything goes beautifully for you.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.S.

answers from Rockford on

My dil got results from an EPT at 3 weeks...guess you already got yours...Congrats!!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.

answers from Oklahoma City on

The only thing I can tell you is my own expereince. I knew I was pregnant because my boobs were sore. I was also told by my Dr. that there will never be a false positive test. If the test shows positive then you are pregnant. I had one period after I got pregnant. My boobs were really sore so I knew I was pregnant. Then I got my period and took a home test. It still came up positive. I know you can take it while you are on your period and it will give you results.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.B.

answers from Kansas City on

Okay, first, don't freak out, which is what I did. I had absoltuely regular periods, had my daughter then went on Depo. I was on Depo for about two and a half years, then we decided that I should come off the shot in order to get my periods regular so we could start trying to have another baby. My last shot was in January. I did pills for two months but the hormones made me crazy, so I stopped those. I still haven't had a period. I've had lots of cramping, some really irregluar spotting, but no actual period. I've been to the doctor about 10 times, trying to figure out what's going on. They even went so far as to do an ultrasound.
The short answer is, don't worry about it. It's the depo wearing off. NOW they've told me that it could be more than a year before everything is out of my system and back to normal. Call your doctor to confirm, but I even went to the depo website, and it says it could be a year before you have a period, let alone regular ones.
The depo website is :http://www.depo-provera.com/vc-user.asp#, and then there's a phone number you can call to ask them questions as well.
-A.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.B.

answers from Kansas City on

Wow! Four kiddos. That is how many I have. If you are pregnant....everything will be great. Our family is so wonderful with four, I couldn't imagine not having all of them. Good luck with the doctor appointment. C.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.P.

answers from St. Louis on

Congratulations Jenn!!! How exciting for you! With both of my pregnancies I got a very faint line at about 3 weeks prego.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.H.

answers from Tulsa on

I got a faint line on both of my pregnancies....Congrats. I knew before I ever missed a period...cramping, sore boobs and on the second my pee smelled the same as when I was pregnant the first time!! GROSS but true! My husband thought I was CRAZY when I told him I was pregnant because i had pregnant pee before I ever missed a period!!!

Some test can tell up to 5 days before you're supposed to start. One response is right, you can't have a false positive because the hormone has to be there to make the line appear (even a faint one). They usually error on the negative side if any.

So congrats again!

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches