Pregnant or Ovulating or Both or Neither?
April 7, 2022 5:16 AM Subscribe
YANMD. What do these very, very faintly positive pregnancy tests and strongly positive ovulation test mean? Especially worried because I had a bad fever during what would have been my previous ovulation and the two weeks after, so I have no idea what's going on with my body. TW: loss
My partner and I have been trying to conceive for a few months. In January, I had a very early miscarriage (chemical pregnancy, 5ish weeks). In February, we took the month off and didn't track for the most part. However, I did happen to take an ovulation test on a whim and get a positive, so I know within a couple days of when I probably ovulated. Didn't get pregnant.
On March 11, I developed a fever of 100+F (I got really sick and the fever didn't go away until around March 30-31).
On March 16, I took an ovulation test on a whim, and it wasn't positive but it was very close. On March 17, my partner and I slept together. (March 17 was cycle day 12, which is quite early for me to ovulate).
My fever then took a turn for the worse and I went to the hospital the next day, on March 18. The doctor said he didn't know what virus it was (and I would have to see a virologist for an actual diagnosis), but it wasn't flu, it wasn't covid, and it wasn't life threatening, so he sent me home. I was sick in bed for the next two weeks. Didn't have sex during this period.
While sick in bed, I took prescription-strength ibuprofen every night for about five nights straight because otherwise I couldn't sleep, and the hospital had told me to lay off Tylenol because the only odd thing they found in my vitals was liver enzymes (indicating a liver injury -- the doctor said that it might mean that the virus was hepatitis). I also stopped taking my prenatal, because I was too sick to keep up with it. I also took a course of antibiotics for an unrelated reason.
At this point, I became terrified that I had caught CMV or even that my fever would cause horrible birth defects. (I was CMV-negative in tests a couple years ago, so very scared of catching it now). Because of the risk of birth defects from this illness, I was really hoping NOT to be pregnant.
The fever FINALLY went away on March 30 or March 31. By April 4, I was feeling totally fine. But I wasn't getting my period.
This morning, April 7, is cycle day 33. Based on when I ovulated in February and then got my period, my luteal phase is around 14 days. So if I ovulated on cycle day 13 or so, I should have gotten my period around 5 days ago. It is exactly 3 weeks since my partner and I had sex before/when I was sick.
I took an ovulation test and a pregnancy test this morning. I had already had two glasses of water and peed once, earlier in the morning. And this was using the cheapie sticks you can buy in bulk. The ovulation test was positive. Not a surprise because of other ovulation "symptoms" that I've had the last couple days. However, the pregnancy test was also a very, very faint positive. I then took an Early Response test because it has such a high sensitivity rating and I was freaking out. Very, very faint positive. The sensitivity rating for these tests is so high that positives this faint mean that I have maybe < 10 HCG in my system.
This reminds me of what happened in January, when my tests started getting fainter and then I finally miscarried. So what I think might have happened is that I did get pregnant from when we slept together on March 17, but it was another chemical pregnancy/very early loss? And I'm catching the tail end of it?
The thing is that I trust the ovulation test, too. I took it because I've had some strong ovulation symptoms (crazy EWCM last night, feeling very horny for the last couple days, etc). But how can I be ovulating?
Even if I am ovulating, this isn't a viable cycle, right? Because how could my lining be able to support implantation if it's a month old already? So confused about what's going on with my body.
What I would love is if I am ovulating and get pregnant this cycle, now that I'm not sick. But I don't know if that's possible because I have no idea what was going on with my body last cycle.
TLDR:
Is it even possible to get pregnant, lose the baby, and ovulate again in 3 weeks? I haven't bled since before all this. My last period was 33 days/4.5 weeks ago.
My partner and I have been trying to conceive for a few months. In January, I had a very early miscarriage (chemical pregnancy, 5ish weeks). In February, we took the month off and didn't track for the most part. However, I did happen to take an ovulation test on a whim and get a positive, so I know within a couple days of when I probably ovulated. Didn't get pregnant.
On March 11, I developed a fever of 100+F (I got really sick and the fever didn't go away until around March 30-31).
On March 16, I took an ovulation test on a whim, and it wasn't positive but it was very close. On March 17, my partner and I slept together. (March 17 was cycle day 12, which is quite early for me to ovulate).
My fever then took a turn for the worse and I went to the hospital the next day, on March 18. The doctor said he didn't know what virus it was (and I would have to see a virologist for an actual diagnosis), but it wasn't flu, it wasn't covid, and it wasn't life threatening, so he sent me home. I was sick in bed for the next two weeks. Didn't have sex during this period.
While sick in bed, I took prescription-strength ibuprofen every night for about five nights straight because otherwise I couldn't sleep, and the hospital had told me to lay off Tylenol because the only odd thing they found in my vitals was liver enzymes (indicating a liver injury -- the doctor said that it might mean that the virus was hepatitis). I also stopped taking my prenatal, because I was too sick to keep up with it. I also took a course of antibiotics for an unrelated reason.
At this point, I became terrified that I had caught CMV or even that my fever would cause horrible birth defects. (I was CMV-negative in tests a couple years ago, so very scared of catching it now). Because of the risk of birth defects from this illness, I was really hoping NOT to be pregnant.
The fever FINALLY went away on March 30 or March 31. By April 4, I was feeling totally fine. But I wasn't getting my period.
This morning, April 7, is cycle day 33. Based on when I ovulated in February and then got my period, my luteal phase is around 14 days. So if I ovulated on cycle day 13 or so, I should have gotten my period around 5 days ago. It is exactly 3 weeks since my partner and I had sex before/when I was sick.
I took an ovulation test and a pregnancy test this morning. I had already had two glasses of water and peed once, earlier in the morning. And this was using the cheapie sticks you can buy in bulk. The ovulation test was positive. Not a surprise because of other ovulation "symptoms" that I've had the last couple days. However, the pregnancy test was also a very, very faint positive. I then took an Early Response test because it has such a high sensitivity rating and I was freaking out. Very, very faint positive. The sensitivity rating for these tests is so high that positives this faint mean that I have maybe < 10 HCG in my system.
This reminds me of what happened in January, when my tests started getting fainter and then I finally miscarried. So what I think might have happened is that I did get pregnant from when we slept together on March 17, but it was another chemical pregnancy/very early loss? And I'm catching the tail end of it?
The thing is that I trust the ovulation test, too. I took it because I've had some strong ovulation symptoms (crazy EWCM last night, feeling very horny for the last couple days, etc). But how can I be ovulating?
Even if I am ovulating, this isn't a viable cycle, right? Because how could my lining be able to support implantation if it's a month old already? So confused about what's going on with my body.
What I would love is if I am ovulating and get pregnant this cycle, now that I'm not sick. But I don't know if that's possible because I have no idea what was going on with my body last cycle.
TLDR:
Is it even possible to get pregnant, lose the baby, and ovulate again in 3 weeks? I haven't bled since before all this. My last period was 33 days/4.5 weeks ago.
Response by poster: The internet suggests that luteinizing hormone, (which the ovulation test looks for) is chemically similar enough to HCG (which the pregnancy test looks for) that some brands of ovulation tests may get false positives from HCG.
It takes more HCG to turn an ovulation test positive than to turn a pregnancy test positive, though. Since my HCG tests are so questionable, I think it's unlikely that I have so much HCG in my urine that it's giving me false positive ovulation strips.
I also don't think it's possible to have such a faint positive HCG test at DPO 20~and it be a viable pregnancy. Realistically, it's either a false positive/wonky tests or the tail end of a loss.
I took another test on a cheap strip pregnancy test just now and it looked negative. Looking at the Early Response test from earlier, I feel like it could be negative, too (there's an extremely faint line, but it may be an evaporation line). There is just the one cheap strip pregnancy test from earlier this morning that looks positive.
My main question is whether it is even possible for me to be ovulating now, and if I am, for it to be a viable cycle?
it felt like a time that was supposed to be exciting and joyful, and instead it was stressful and anxious.
Thanks. It's been very stressful and high anxiety. I knew it would be, because I already have tons of health anxiety for this person who is probably not even conceived yet. But I didn't think that it would all be so screwy. I thought I would have a cycle and then either be pregnant or not. And if not, I'd try again the next cycle. I didn't think it would be a mess of loss and illness for months.
posted by nowadays at 7:10 AM on April 7, 2022
It takes more HCG to turn an ovulation test positive than to turn a pregnancy test positive, though. Since my HCG tests are so questionable, I think it's unlikely that I have so much HCG in my urine that it's giving me false positive ovulation strips.
I also don't think it's possible to have such a faint positive HCG test at DPO 20~and it be a viable pregnancy. Realistically, it's either a false positive/wonky tests or the tail end of a loss.
I took another test on a cheap strip pregnancy test just now and it looked negative. Looking at the Early Response test from earlier, I feel like it could be negative, too (there's an extremely faint line, but it may be an evaporation line). There is just the one cheap strip pregnancy test from earlier this morning that looks positive.
My main question is whether it is even possible for me to be ovulating now, and if I am, for it to be a viable cycle?
it felt like a time that was supposed to be exciting and joyful, and instead it was stressful and anxious.
Thanks. It's been very stressful and high anxiety. I knew it would be, because I already have tons of health anxiety for this person who is probably not even conceived yet. But I didn't think that it would all be so screwy. I thought I would have a cycle and then either be pregnant or not. And if not, I'd try again the next cycle. I didn't think it would be a mess of loss and illness for months.
posted by nowadays at 7:10 AM on April 7, 2022
My understanding of pregnancy tests is that false negatives are quite common but false positives are quite rare. I would take the positive pregnancy test as a sign that you are pregnant.
Sure, I suppose it’s possible that your body tried to ovulate earlier in your cycle but failed, and that you’re ovulating now, but that would not explain the positive pregnancy test.
In your shoes I would do the following: have sex, just in case you’re ovulating now. Don’t stress about whether it’s a viable cycle or not, your body will decide that for you.
And take another pregnancy test in 24 hours and compare the line to today’s line. If it’s darker, you’re very likely pregnant, and you should call your doctor and book an appointment and discuss your concerns. If it’s lighter or nonexistent, then you’re likely not pregnant or experiencing a chemical pregnancy.
You could also check out r/tryingforababy and ask your question there, but I suspect you’ll have a more definitive answer within a few days or a couple of weeks - you’ll either get your period and start another cycle or you’ll continue to get positive pregnancy tests and be pregnant.
posted by rodneyaug at 8:42 AM on April 7, 2022
Sure, I suppose it’s possible that your body tried to ovulate earlier in your cycle but failed, and that you’re ovulating now, but that would not explain the positive pregnancy test.
In your shoes I would do the following: have sex, just in case you’re ovulating now. Don’t stress about whether it’s a viable cycle or not, your body will decide that for you.
And take another pregnancy test in 24 hours and compare the line to today’s line. If it’s darker, you’re very likely pregnant, and you should call your doctor and book an appointment and discuss your concerns. If it’s lighter or nonexistent, then you’re likely not pregnant or experiencing a chemical pregnancy.
You could also check out r/tryingforababy and ask your question there, but I suspect you’ll have a more definitive answer within a few days or a couple of weeks - you’ll either get your period and start another cycle or you’ll continue to get positive pregnancy tests and be pregnant.
posted by rodneyaug at 8:42 AM on April 7, 2022
It's well known in TTC groups that you can get positive ovulation readings when pregnant.
With you vvf positive, your period was due 5 days ago, you're most likely newly pregnant. Since you didn't take an ovulation test in March, you actually have no idea WHEN you ovulated - and illness can, and often does, delay ovulation. So you could be JUST pregnant enough for a faint positive, or you could have had another chemical pregnancy and be catching the end of it... time will tell. At this point, I'd either test again in another couple days, or call your OB and go in for bloodwork so they can track the HCG trend rising/falling. (Also, with both my viable pregnancies, the first ~week of tests all more or less looked the same, and only then got significantly darker.)
posted by DoubleLune at 8:51 AM on April 7, 2022 [1 favorite]
With you vvf positive, your period was due 5 days ago, you're most likely newly pregnant. Since you didn't take an ovulation test in March, you actually have no idea WHEN you ovulated - and illness can, and often does, delay ovulation. So you could be JUST pregnant enough for a faint positive, or you could have had another chemical pregnancy and be catching the end of it... time will tell. At this point, I'd either test again in another couple days, or call your OB and go in for bloodwork so they can track the HCG trend rising/falling. (Also, with both my viable pregnancies, the first ~week of tests all more or less looked the same, and only then got significantly darker.)
posted by DoubleLune at 8:51 AM on April 7, 2022 [1 favorite]
It's been a while since I was pregnant, but my understanding is that things that are likely to cause birth defects, if they happen very early on, tend to be "all or nothing", i.e. either the pregnancy will end or things will proceed as normal. So a fever now, or medication or even drinking, is unlikely to affect things badly, assuming you're pregnant and remain so. Best of luck.
posted by altolinguistic at 2:48 PM on April 7, 2022
posted by altolinguistic at 2:48 PM on April 7, 2022
If there was a positive pregnancy test - it sounds like probably yes - then it is not possible for you to be ovulating right now; there hasn’t been time for your body to recruit a new follicle.
But if both positive tests were evap lines, you could be ovulating now (the mid-March ovulation test would have been your body gearing up to ovulate but not actually doing it), and it’s very much possible you could conceive a viable pregnancy - people with longer cycles conceive later in the cycle all the time, no issue with the lining being a couple weeks older.
I’m sorry you’re in this limbo!
posted by songs about trains at 2:11 AM on April 8, 2022
But if both positive tests were evap lines, you could be ovulating now (the mid-March ovulation test would have been your body gearing up to ovulate but not actually doing it), and it’s very much possible you could conceive a viable pregnancy - people with longer cycles conceive later in the cycle all the time, no issue with the lining being a couple weeks older.
I’m sorry you’re in this limbo!
posted by songs about trains at 2:11 AM on April 8, 2022
Response by poster: But if both positive tests were evap lines, you could be ovulating now
I think this is what happened. Although I don't know what was going on with the Pregmate cheapo stick. It must have been an evap line, but it was massive and pink. Wonky test, I guess?
But I took another HCG test and another ovulation test this morning. The HCG is negative and the ovulation test is negative-to-ambiguous (pretty sure the test line is lighter than the control, but it's close enough to be a bit iffy).
I think that I must not have ovulated while I was sick, and will finally ovulate today (give or take). Of course, I can't confirm because I haven't been temping, since I was expecting to get my period.
Fingers crossed that somehow this cycle will work, despite being pretty bizarre. Thanks for your help, everyone.
posted by nowadays at 8:53 AM on April 8, 2022
I think this is what happened. Although I don't know what was going on with the Pregmate cheapo stick. It must have been an evap line, but it was massive and pink. Wonky test, I guess?
But I took another HCG test and another ovulation test this morning. The HCG is negative and the ovulation test is negative-to-ambiguous (pretty sure the test line is lighter than the control, but it's close enough to be a bit iffy).
I think that I must not have ovulated while I was sick, and will finally ovulate today (give or take). Of course, I can't confirm because I haven't been temping, since I was expecting to get my period.
Fingers crossed that somehow this cycle will work, despite being pretty bizarre. Thanks for your help, everyone.
posted by nowadays at 8:53 AM on April 8, 2022
Call your OB or family doctor or whoever and get two quantitative pregnancy blood tests two days apart. It will tell you what your HCG is AND how it is changing -- it's supposed to double every 2 days if you're pregnant. That will tell you if you're pregnant or you WERE pregnant, or what.
Note that if you DID have a chemical pregnancy, that's something you probably want to have confirmed, especially since it would be your second. Lots of doctors won't investigate miscarriages fully until you've had 3, so if there's a problem or if you require some assistance in conceiving, documenting it now gets you ahead of the game.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 5:32 AM on April 9, 2022
Note that if you DID have a chemical pregnancy, that's something you probably want to have confirmed, especially since it would be your second. Lots of doctors won't investigate miscarriages fully until you've had 3, so if there's a problem or if you require some assistance in conceiving, documenting it now gets you ahead of the game.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 5:32 AM on April 9, 2022
This thread is closed to new comments.
I'd call your OB's office and tell them what's up. In my area, they usually wait to see patients till 8 weeks, but if you have concerns they might want to see you earlier. They can do a blood test for HCG that's more sensitive than the urine tests. (Usually involves testing on 2 days in a row to see if levels are doubling.) If your symptoms are weird, they might want to see you anyways to make sure it's not an ectopic pregnancy or something else unusual. Illness can affect menstrual cycle, make it longer or shorter or skip one, so it's extra hard to read the tea leaves of timing here.
CMV is a scary possibility for sure, but it is less scary in 1st trimester than later in pregnancy, and there are a lot of other explanations for fever. Hang in there. Take your prenatals again if you can. It is so damn difficult to be trying to conceive after a loss, my heart goes out to you. This was us three years ago, and it felt like a time that was supposed to be exciting and joyful, and instead it was stressful and anxious. "Hurry up and wait", ugh. But the truth is that there's not much you can control this early. Sending internet-stranger hugs and hope for you.
posted by february at 6:07 AM on April 7, 2022 [3 favorites]