Alternatives to HPTs, blood tests & ultrasounds to confirm a possible pregnancy

[LionsandBears]

A blood test on you cant hurt a baby. Many pregnancies end in miscarriage. A blood test wouldnt cause that. The timing would be coincidental. If the HCG was low then it's likely it was a chemical pregnancy, a term given to pregnancies that end before a heartbeat is detected. It's sad but it's noone's fault.

The other way to confirm a pregnancy is wait. Back in the day, women were advised to wait until they'd missed 2 periods before confirming a pregnancy. It depends on what model of antenatal & birth care you'd prefer. Private OBs book out fast - like 5/6 weeks pregnant fast. It's not such an issue with public hospitals, depending on where you live.

[Pegasus]

A blood test on you cant hurt a baby. Many pregnancies end in miscarriage. A blood test wouldnt cause that. The timing would be coincidental. If the HCG was low then it's likely it was a chemical pregnancy, a term given to pregnancies that end before a heartbeat is detected. It's sad but it's noone's fault.

The other way to confirm a pregnancy is wait. Back in the day, women were advised to wait until they'd missed 2 periods before confirming a pregnancy. It depends on what model of antenatal & birth care you'd prefer. Private OBs book out fast - like 5/6 weeks pregnant fast. It's not such an issue with public hospitals, depending on where you live.

Hi LionandBears, I think that's very sage advice about waiting for two missed periods before seeing a doctor. Wish I new this a while ago! And no, I'd prefer not seeing an OB if that's at all possible. Only a midwife/ doula.

I thought these two websites were elucidating on the possible risks of non-essential medical intervention:


After my own experience, it has even more resonance.

Re the potential I had chemical pregnancy that would never have become a baby, that's entirely possible. But maybe my HCG does not metabolize in my urine nor my blood (if that is at all possible??). I'll never know now. But what I do know is that I had intense fluttering, stretching and pulling sensations so something was 'happening'. I also had the stitch pain (implantation?). So in my heart, I feel it wasn't a chemical pregnancy but a miscarriage brought on by the early blood test. Could I be wrong, yes. But intuitively & circumstantially, I feel it is the case.

Thanks for replying to my question LionandBears

[ladybirdflies]

to add to my above reply... your uterus pops above your pubic bone around 12 weeks, so a midwife can confirm then for you.

[Pegasus]

to add to my above reply... your uterus pops above your pubic bone around 12 weeks, so a midwife can confirm then for you.

Awesome, thanks for this information Ladybirdflies !!!

[glorious]

HCG will show up in the blood if you are pregnant >5 and it is considered pregnant.
it appears by the results of your previous BHCG you were not considered pregnant clinically. as others have said there is no connection between having a blood test and a spontaneous miscarriage the 2 are simply not connected. the 3mls of blood taken to be tested would not have made any difference to the blood supply to your uterus. perhaps the pregnancy had already ended and that day was simply the day you started to bleed.

fluttering stretching and pulling sensations are not normal early pregnancy signs, which it appears you have already searched for to decide if you are pregnant. A blood test is likely to be the best and safest way to confirm pregnancy. IF you want to confirm it rather then waiting to see what happens.

[Pegasus]

HCG will show up in the blood if you are pregnant >5 and it is considered pregnant.
it appears by the results of your previous BHCG you were not considered pregnant clinically. as others have said there is no connection between having a blood test and a spontaneous miscarriage the 2 are simply not connected. the 3mls of blood taken to be tested would not have made any difference to the blood supply to your uterus. perhaps the pregnancy had already ended and that day was simply the day you started to bleed.

fluttering stretching and pulling sensations are not normal early pregnancy signs, which it appears you have already searched for to decide if you are pregnant. A blood test is likely to be the best and safest way to confirm pregnancy. IF you want to confirm it rather then waiting to see what happens.

Hi Glorious, yes, my signs were pregnancy signs (just research) and the fact I bled very heavy blood & clots for two weeks (this has NEVER happened to me before, I usually bleed 4-5 days max), had excruciating pains as I bled (far more than usual period cramps) and that my period stopped for 2 months thereafter are all classic miscarriage signs (just research). And I knew/ felt I was pregnant. Moreover, I read that HCG can only be present if you're pregnant (unless you're a female over 40- 44 yo).

So, I respectfully disagree with your assertion that blood tests are 100% safe for pregnant women. I certainly would never choose that option again. But thanks for replying Glorious

Cheers

[nothing2lose]

Blood tests do not cause miscarriages. Around one in four pregnancies end in miscarriage due to problems inherent in the developing fetus.

[Trillian]

Sorry if this is crass, but having a vaginal exam to confirm a pg would be no more damaging to the baby than a penis would be during sex. I think you are well within your right to choose not to have a vaginal exam or any other test, but I do think your logic is a little flawed. Are you wanting a midwife for a homebirth or a birth centre birth? You would be hard pressed to find a midwife that would be comfortable with your refusing of any testing during your pg because it can reflect on them if you don't and something goes wrong if you were having a homebirth and if you were wanting a midwife birth centre birth then you won't be able to avoid the tests and still be able to birth there as they have their own regulations that must be followed etc.

[mummame]

To answer your question, yes a well trained doctor /midwife would be able to use a stethoscope to detect babies heartbeat but not until after 20 weeks, some women it takes even longer to hear it through the skin...like closer to 30. That is an awfully long time to wait for confirmation of a pregnancy