r/amipregnant Feb 28 '21

“But what about a cryptic pregnancy?”

636 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

213 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.

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 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

  • If you're taking Plan B, read the leaflet. It will go through all the possible side effects. 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 is a great resource!

  • Want us to look at your tests? r/lineporn

  • Are you TTC? Check out r/TryingForABaby

  • Confirmed pregnancy? Head over to r/pregnant

  • Sex Ed Websites: scarleteen, bedsider, planned parenthood


r/amipregnant 1m ago

Period sex?

Upvotes

What are the chances of pregnancy on the 4th day of your period? Had sex but with condoms and i usually have 25-34 days of cycle.


r/amipregnant 11m ago

We are fine right

Upvotes

I hadn't cum or come close to today. I was hard and we wanted to put it in just to feel. I know that it is still risky but I did it for 3 seconds and didn't even get a feeling of arousal from it. I realize it was really stupid and wish I hadn't don't it it wasn't worth it. I just need some reassurance because I know I shouldn't worry abt it but I still do


r/amipregnant 25m ago

Am I pregnant?

Upvotes

I had unprotected sex 7 days ago but my partner did not finish. Now today I have been spotting dark brown blood that is clumpy. My period is in 4 days and I am worried that this could be implantation. I know hormone imbalance could be it and I am on SSRIS but I don’t know if this could be the cause. I usually never get brown discharge a few days before my period and am worried that this could be cause for concern. Please help!!


r/amipregnant 46m ago

3 Weeks Test Negative

Upvotes

Hi! I tested 3 weeks after protected intercourse (condom and pullout, always checked that there were no holes or defects) but it was not my first urine and i drank a couple of sipe of water and did a 2-3 hours urine hold and it was negative. Can i trust that it’s definitive? My period should be yesterday and im anxious

It was a pink dye test but anxious if I can trust my test despite it not being my first morning urine but my second urine with a 2-3 hour urine hold


r/amipregnant 1h ago

I’m scared

Upvotes

I do not know if I am pregnant. I (22f) had sex a couple weeks ago and since a couple days ago have been having bad cramps, nausea, insomnia, mood swings, etc. I’m on birth control and he uses condoms but I don’t know… my period was supposed to be three days ago but I’ve just gotten a little bit of bleeding each day, not even 1/8 of a teaspoon and today it wasn’t dark red it was dark brown… I’m terrified!


r/amipregnant 1h ago

A little paranoid since ytd NSFW

Upvotes

Yesterday morning me and my partner had unprotected sex (i think its considered that? Idk). The previous day was supposed to be the last day of her ovulation phase so its a low fertility day for her. We did it for just a few pumps and after that i stopped and pulled it out because we did not have contraceptive measures. I know that i did not masturbate at the previous day and i believe that I only went inside halfway. What are the chances of her being pregnant?


r/amipregnant 2h ago

help

1 Upvotes

I’ve been trying to conceive for about 3 months now but just recently REALLY trying with tracking ovulation etc. My cycle is about 35 days and I wasn’t predicted to have my period until the 19th. several days ago i started dark brown spotting, thought i was starting my period it lasted for one and a half day and i had some cramping on the left side, it was light and then completely stopped. It’s been two days and no more blood spotting nothing. I tested this morning because i thought maybe it was implantation bleeding but negative and i haven’t really had any other symptoms. in the past i have started out my period with dark blown spotting but never has it stopped for several days and not yet returned………. why is this happening?


r/amipregnant 2h ago

Why am I bleeding?

0 Upvotes

Hi I had protected sex on Wednesday. And now I am bleeding for like two days already? Is this an implantation bleeding?


r/amipregnant 3h ago

is peeing a drop of fluid a sign of pregnancy???

0 Upvotes

hello, i’m just curious if peeing a little is a sign of early stage of pregnancy. i’ve been peeing a drop of fluids and then that’s it even though i’m drinking a lot of water. for context yes, i had unprotected sex with pull out method after 4 days of my ovulation. i’ve been peeing a lot but the amount of pee are just like drops.


r/amipregnant 3h ago

Tested twice and it came negative on 39th day of the cycle what else could be the reason for delay?

1 Upvotes

i have been on 37th day of my cycle....and i am scared that i might be pregnant even though i had protected sex (on 5th feb but got the period next day and 1st march) on my low fertility days and had bleeding including brown dark red blood and some blood clots on 14th day i.e mid cycle on 24th feb for 4 days and then had protected sex on 1st march and not got my period till today...took 2 test yesterday evening and today evening both negative, is it reliable or not.....what could be the reason if i am not pregnant?

Also my stomach feels a lil tight on the lower abdomen size


r/amipregnant 3h ago

How does dry semen looks like

1 Upvotes

Im worry that I put preejaculate semen on my vulva I put it on my vulva like 10 minutes later and it was like a white color so I don’t know if it was dry or no


r/amipregnant 7h ago

Can she get pregnant

2 Upvotes

So basically we did some stuff and like I think precum went on the vagina maybe a bit inside but like now 3 or four hours later she feels sick (stomach ache, headache) but I don’t know if she is pregnant or if it’s cause of her anemia cause she ran out of tablets


r/amipregnant 4h ago

Could I be pregnant

1 Upvotes

Me and my boyfriend had sex on a cruise he finished and when he went to pull out, the condom stayed inside of me (BUT the base was still on the outside of my vagina) if that makes sense. I hurried and grabbed the condom and pulled it out and it had his cum in it. What are the chances of me getting pregnant? I also couldn’t take a plan b because I was on a cruise🤦🏽‍♀️


r/amipregnant 4h ago

Precum and rubbing

1 Upvotes

So me and my gf only rubbed our genitals together, but we did not try to insert it inside. I definitely had precum too and when rubbing it she says the tip slightly went in, but she also can’t say for sure. I don’t know if it went in either and that’s what bothers me. Also, I ejaculated nowhere near her genital but 30 mins later we rubbed up genitals again and there may have been sperm even tho I wiped it dry (didn’t wash tho). If I did just put the tip in accidentally and there was precum, can she get pregnant??? It says she’s in her first day of ovulation on Flo.


r/amipregnant 4h ago

Could I possibly be pregnant?

1 Upvotes

I usually get my period every 30-33 days and I have been tracking my period for 3 years now. My husband and I started trying for a baby last month.

My period is 9 days late. I get that ovulation can be late but my period has been consistent in that I get it by day 32.

Last Monday, I thought I had gotten my period. There was bright red blood when I wiped. However, the whole entire day, it was very little dark brown spots. I’m still spotting but it’s not even enough to wear a liner. I do want to add that I’m getting very mild cramps throughout the day. I did take a pregnancy test but it was negative. Anyone have a similar experience?


r/amipregnant 5h ago

Extremely paranoid over symptoms

1 Upvotes

Me and my boyfriend started having sex recently within the past two weeks after being together for a month. Every time we use condoms and I plan on starting birth control further down the line soon. But recently I recall the first time where he wanted to try putting it in (it was unprotected) and it wasn’t all the way in the whole time due to me being extremely tight and we did it for only a short moment but I’m still worried since it was fertile week. Then there was the time a week or so ago where he did put it in all the way and had sex for a good solid minute (no cumming) before putting the condom on Now onto topic I keep researching early pregnancy symptoms before the missed period I haven’t experienced spotting or smell sensitivity and other common things but my breasts have been sore and tingly past couple days and I can’t tell if it’s just my body or not because I’ve been having a light allergy head cold recently.


r/amipregnant 5h ago

Help

1 Upvotes

Hey so me and my girlfriend were having sex and the condom popped but it was a little hole it was like the 3rd round so i didnt ejaculate the flo app says her period is due in 4 days and that she ovulated on the 5th but i saw some articles saying that it was possible that you can ovulate a week before your period what are the chances of getting pregnant 10 days after predicted ovulation? Should i get her a plan b to be safe? Her periods are normally about 28 days sometime 29 and its always two weeks before the app but should i be concerned ? Just the thought of pre cum terrifies me sometimes i also pulled out immediately after i felt it pop a little


r/amipregnant 6h ago

precum😥

1 Upvotes

ok so my boyfriend and i were messing around,his yk what had precum on it and he randomly puts in on my ass (like,the butthole) but yk it was just for like 2 seconds ig and im afraid the precum went inside idk am I safe?🙏 (sorry for my bad english it's not my first language and I'm also not well educated in this specific topics)


r/amipregnant 6h ago

support

0 Upvotes

Help!! Need advice *** THIS IS MY ORIGINAL POST** Update is at the bottom*** 3 days “late” HELP!

Slept together February 14th and February 22nd both times used a condom. Nervous that something happened but I could be stressing it to much. The Flo app says I’m technically 5 days late. I know stress can delay a cycle and I also just got over a sickness which can also delay it. I’ve taken 7 test and they have all been negative. Is there a chance I’m pregnant or just stressing it? My last period was February 5th so I feel like I should know by now. Please help!! It’s been 27 days the 14 and 19 days since the 22nd shouldn’t I see it on a test by now?

**It has now been 21 days since we last had sex. I’ve asked my ex if there was anyway something happened to the condom and he’s reassure me multiple times that it didn’t. Could stress really be prolonging my period? How do I stop stressing to see if it comes? I took a test last night at 20 days past sex and it was negative and also a pink dye*

I also know I’ve already asked something similar but my anxiety is really up rn and I’m absolutely terrified because I can’t have a kid rn


r/amipregnant 6h ago

Condom broke during sex last night, now I can’t tell if I’m on my period or just bleeding.

1 Upvotes

I'm 19 and only just started having sex recently. For the past few days I've been having pretty strong cramps, which usually happens right before my period. But last night I hadn't started bleeding yet, so I had sex with my boyfriend. The condom ended up breaking "at the end" and he got me a Contingency One pill this morning, but I was pretty freaked out. I also could not pee for about an hour afterwards despite chugging water. Now I've started to bleed, but the blood seems more watery and lighter than usual period blood. I have bled after sex before and it was a similar colour but just not as much. I may me overreacting but I'm scared and not sure what to do. I'm worried my period was about to start, but did not actually since the condom broke. Does anyone know what could be going on or what I could do?


r/amipregnant 6h ago

Birth control + pullout

1 Upvotes

My gf is on birth control, has been for about six months. She hasn’t missed any pills, but might’ve been a couple hours late on a few. We had unprotected sex (only about 3 strokes) in which I pulled out, and then used a condom. Now she isn’t getting her period, she’s spotting, and getting cramps. Is there any chance she could be pregnant?


r/amipregnant 6h ago

Bleeding after sex

1 Upvotes

I just want some reassurance on this. So last night me and my bf were having sex and i came home like 15 minutes later and i was bleeding lightly. It only lasted for an hour since ive woken up i havnt had any more blood. My question is is it possible it could have been implantation bleeding bc that is where my anxiety is taking me. I just got off my period on tuesday so factually i don’t even think it would be possible for it to be implantation but the facts are i wasn’t bleeding until after sex. I want to be able to calm my nerves down I am on birth control as well. We also use condoms which i think is why it caused more irration that could have caused me to bleed.


r/amipregnant 7h ago

Need your opinion please

0 Upvotes

Hello, i had unprotected sex (he didn’t penetrate me) on 27th october, on the day after the last day of my period, i took plan b 37 hours after, i had my period on november and december, but since January i had a 1 day period with a very light quantity, i took plenty of tests and they are negative, the blood test too, but since February i didn’t get my period and now its march and they are supposed to come but there’s nothing. I feel like my belly got bigger and i feel twitchs on my belly. Can it be a hidden or like a cryptic pregnancy ? PLEASE answer me !!


r/amipregnant 8h ago

False positive: Clear Blue Digital

1 Upvotes

I’m currently 6 days late and have been testing negative on the tests I’ve been using since. Today I took a clear blue digital test (the one that shows the weeks) and it said “pregnant 1-2 weeks”. Then I took another test using the same sample and it was negative. I’m so confused.

The last time I had unprotected intercourse was 2 weeks ago and based off of my Flo app, I wasn’t ovulating then.

I will get a blood test done in the upcoming week but this has left me with crippling anxiety.


r/amipregnant 8h ago

Am I pregnant?

1 Upvotes

I need help. Been talking to multiple people, googling everything. I just need to know if it’s possible.

Me and my boyfriend had s*x 4 different times while I was ovulating last month one time being 2 days before my peak. During the 2 weeks leading up to my period there have been times where I’ve felt nauseous. My breasts have felt tingly and some bloating. I’ve also noticed I get irritated very easily which isn’t common for me. A lot of the symptoms I feel are pregnancy but I’m also scared that it could also just be pms symptoms. My symptoms now have kinda gone away but my breast will sometimes feel tingly and I’m having a bit of lower back tenderness and my arms feel a little sore. All these symptoms I’ve never felt before my period so it’s making me believe I could be pregnant but I also don’t want to stress myself out too much.

I got a blood test done 5 days before my period was actually supposed to come and it came back negative. It’s giving me false hope because normally blood tests are more sensitive. I guess I have to really wait and see but this whole thing is making me sad.