r/amipregnant • • Feb 28 '21

“But what about a cryptic pregnancy?”

736 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

292 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](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](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
  • How is pregnancy dated?
  • If you're taking Plan B, read the leaflet. It will go through all the possible side effects. [r/PlanBs](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](r/SafeSexPH) is a great resource!
  • Want us to look at your tests? [r/lineporn](r/lineporn)
  • Are you TTC? Check out [r/TryingForABaby](r/TryingForABaby)
  • Confirmed pregnancy? Head over to [r/pregnant](r/pregnant)

- Looking for abortion resources? r/abortion

  • Sex Ed Websites: scarleteen, bedsider, planned parenthood

r/amipregnant • • 1h ago

No period and a negative test

• Upvotes

Hi guys, my period is 3 days late. I’m having cramps and period symptoms but no period. I took a pregnancy test and it was negative. I use condoms and I never had a condom fail this month and we used them as recommended. Am I probably ok and not pregnant?


r/amipregnant • • 2h ago

bloating + late period

2 Upvotes

i’m now 5 days late, but have been experiencing extreme bloating in the past week. i had protected sex twice, one about a month ago and again 2 weeks ago. i had some light spotting in between the two time periods of when i had sex but i thought it was just due to ovulation. ive taken 2 tests in which both of them say negative. i have been also releasing discharge occasionally where its wetter than usual. i had a massive pregnancy scare back in feb where i ended up being 2 weeks late, so im scared its happening again. is there potential im pregnant or am i just paranoid?


r/amipregnant • • 6m ago

Am I pregnant?

• Upvotes

My husband and I were intimate the 7th I took a plane B less than 24 hours later. A few hours later I took an ovulation test and it was positive. I was supposed to ovulate around the 9th. I’m over the 165lbs (230) and I read the plan b could be less effective due to my weight and idk about the timing that I took the plan b, I also read that it might not be affective if I’m already ovulating or having the lh surge. Today I’m 7 dpi and idk if I have line eyes or if I’m just tripping. We both wouldn’t mind having another we wanted to wait a little longer to get our finances in a better place but we would be just as happy to have another one


r/amipregnant • • 1h ago

Should I be worried?

• Upvotes

October 11 (1 day before estimated ovulation)
- Unprotected sex 1 day before her ovulation at around 3am
- I pulled out and came far from the vagina

October 12 (day of ovulation according to Flo)
- Had her take a morning after pill (Victoria pill) at 4pm

October 15
- Had protected sex at dawn (around 4am); protected and 3 rounds of unprotected sex in the morning (around 8am). I still pulled out tho.

My concern here is that since the pill delays her ovulation, she still might be in her most fertile days. I’m very anxious right now and I really need advice as to how I would approach this situation (is it too late for a plan b?). I would like for insights, personal experiences, and credible statistics on how likely she is to conceive a child.

Also, how would I know if she’s not pregnant if the pill also delays both her ovulation and period? She has a regular cycle and missing a day would be probable since she took the pill but how can I be so sure? When do I test? What to do if positive?*** ***
Is it a low chance or a high chance of pregnancy?

Please help 🙏🙏🙏


r/amipregnant • • 1h ago

Question..

• Upvotes

Condom broke. So, last September 22 me and my partner had protected sex. However, the condom broke. Luckily he realised it early and quickly cleaned himself nd replaced the condom and didn’t ejaculate inside me (however I didn’t take emergency contraception and looking back at it I def should’ve just taken one and dealt with the side effects later). That happened days after my period which stopped at September 19, according to my period tracking app I was supposed to have my period yesterday but until today i have no blood, cramps, or any signs.

Im not sure if it helps but I was apparently on a new cycle during my last period. Last week I did feel cramps which is normal to me and usually signalled that my period is coming soon. I did feel dizzy/nausea but brushed it off being due to my prescription glasses and the arrival of summer (im from Northern Queensland) just want to know if I should take a test (IM genuinely terrified to do)

Thank u!


r/amipregnant • • 2h ago

Took a plan b right at ovulation

1 Upvotes

Okay so me and my bf had sex, he finished inside (we both wanted this) and I started ovulating the next day. I took a plan b (about 16ish hours later) because I was scared and he left the choice entirely up to me. Bear in mind my Flo chart said I was to start ovulating that day. After we talked about it more and decided f it because we both want a child and if it happens now it’s okay with us (so we had more unprotected sex with him finishing inside) a week later. I have been spotting light red blood, having excessive watery discharge, constant urge to urinate, and extremely tender nipples. All of these symptoms started last week and have persisted (one week after the first unprotected sex) and the spotting started today (almost 2 weeks after). I have taken a plan b before (2 years ago) and never remotely experienced any of these symptoms but idk. I can’t tell if all of this is just the plan b or if it’s early stage pregnancy. One thing to note as well is I have very regular periods and I NEVER experience spotting mid cycle. I don’t know why I took the plan b, I just got a little nervous because I am young (24) but if I do end up pregnant I would be very happy overall. It’s something both me and my partner want we just aren’t sure about the timing but when is there ever really a perfect time? Anyways do yall think its early pregnancy, or just the plan b?


r/amipregnant • • 3h ago

urgent help

1 Upvotes

i had sex it was raw for first 2-3 mins then we put condom on it was during september i got my periods just 5 days later after that sex no delay it was right on time but now my periods are late by 10 days it was supposed to be on 8th october its 18th today i had intense cramps on the day of my period and im still having cramps i recently started working out im hoping thats the cause


r/amipregnant • • 3h ago

Precum during ovulation?

1 Upvotes

I sucked my boyfriend’s dick and he came in my mouth. We lay around for a bit messing around, and then started having sex. For about 15 seconds he put it inside me before putting a condom on, and im worried that there might be leftover sperm that made its way into his precum, especially since im 2 days before ovulation. what are the chances i get pregnant?


r/amipregnant • • 4h ago

Used protection, still paranoid I could get pregnant.

1 Upvotes

Hey, I’m a late teenage girl it’s like 3 am when I’m making this post and I’m regretful that I even have to ask this.

Me and a guy hooked up, we used a condom and he pulled out right after finishing. And now my period is a few days late. I don’t keep track of my cycle very well but I started bleeding September 16th I think and was done by the 20, I have cramped the past few days but not bled. I am still so damn scared of that small chance something didn’t work right and I could be pregnant, can’t say anything to my parents because they’d shame me and they’re very religious.

I know that this might be stupid to some people but it’s not to me. Please don’t be mean to me in the comments I really just want people to help me out a bit.


r/amipregnant • • 5h ago

positive clear blue test

1 Upvotes

my last period was june 10th.

i (19f) and my bf (20m) had protected sex back on july 13th and i took a plan b due to the condom slipping off completely.

august 3rd i took a plan b again from unprotected sec this time. im not so sure how long later it was but around a week or so later i had light bleeding (pink/brown) which im sure was implantation.

later in september i noticed my nipples were so tender and hurt at any sense of touch.

a week ago i started feeling nausea especially mornings, my lower belly started feeling heavy and back pains. today i threw up and finally brought myself to get a test. i unwrapped the test but didnt take it right away until 10mins later, with in the first 15 seconds i got the two dark red lines. i didnt take this early morning i took it around 10pm.

i don’t know what to do at this point. my parents are not aware that im sexually active as im not too close with them and we do not have the parent/child bond of even having the sex talk. i live in a hispanic household therefore anything sex related is automatically seen as a red flag for my parents. and just bringing this up would make everything go downhill. what do i do someone please give me advice i have no one else but my bf to speak about this with.


r/amipregnant • • 13h ago

Am I pregnant

4 Upvotes

I stopped taking my birth control pills because I was trying to get an implant and I thought it would be faster then it is, I still haven’t been able to get it so after 2 weeks I went back onto my pills. In the time that I wasn’t taking them me and my boyfriend were doing the pull out method. I took one plan b but I think there was three times we did that. This morning i woke up on the verge of vomiting but ended up keeping it down, ive been extremely fatigued and constantly peeing and having headaches but I don’t have any sort of fever. Ive been either extremely hungry or the thought of food makes me want to throw up. Ive also been pretty bloated but it might be my irregular eating habits. I haven’t taken the test because I’ve had a lot of pregnancy scares in the past and wasted money on tests but im never actually pregnant. My family and me are very infertile. What do you think?


r/amipregnant • • 6h ago

What’s the chance most likely am I okay? Pregnant?

1 Upvotes

Had raw sex a couple weeks ago and she took a plan b with a few hours… I can’t get in contact with her for a pregnancy test or anything? Thoughts? I think im fine. But who knows.


r/amipregnant • • 8h ago

Repeat negatives, spotting but no period, 31-34 days LMP

1 Upvotes

I keep feeling pulling sensations, back pain, exhaustion and don't know if its phantom symptoms since I've been pregnant before (did not carry to term). I would be ok with either outcome as my partner and I do want kids in the next year or so but we aren't actively trying, not sure if the spotting was a light period or if I’m late. Getting a blood test in 2 days to rule out pregnancy. Not sure if anyone has experienced a positive after a blood test but please let me know so I can understand how definitive it is!


r/amipregnant • • 10h ago

6 days on birth control + condom leak + Plan B 13 hours later. What are my chances?

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I’m feeling really anxious and wanted to get some outside perspective on my timeline and pregnancy risk.

Here is exactly what happened:

  • Sept 13–19: Had my last normal period.
  • Sept 20: Took a Plan B for good measure after an encounter (probably didn't need it, but took it anyway).
  • Sept 28: Started my very first pack of Apri birth control pills (combination pill).
  • Oct 4 (2:00 AM): Had sex using a condom. The condom leaked/spilled over and some semen got inside me. At this point, I had taken 6 active Apri pills (one day shy of the 7-day rule for full protection).
  • Oct 4 (3:00 PM): Took a second Plan B (13 hours after the leak).

My calculations: My calendar originally predicted ovulation for Sept 28, but because of the first Plan B on Sept 20, I assume ovulation was pushed back 5–7 days, right into the Oct 3–5 window when the leak happened.

Current Status:
My period is now 3 days late according to my usual tracker. I’ve been experiencing lower abdominal cramps and stomach pains, which is making me incredibly nervous. I have continued to take my Apri pills perfectly every single day since then.

What are my actual chances of pregnancy here? Are these cramps just from the double dose of Plan B and starting a new pill?


r/amipregnant • • 10h ago

this is eating me alive

1 Upvotes

ive had protected sex on september 14th, where he stopped right before coming, pulled out and did so elsewhere. prior to us having sex there was absolutely no contact involving his penis near my vagina. since then, my period has been late for 11 days. it usually comes around the 1st of the month and it finishes on the 6th. this cycle has lasted 45 days, which is out of my usual range of 31-34 days. i have taken 2 pregnancy tests, one on the 6th of october, which was negative, and one today, which also turned out negative.i am aware that my usual routine has also been turned inside out by exam season, with sleepless nights and whatnot, so i'm considering this a plausible reason for the delay, but besides that i dont know what to do anymore, please help.


r/amipregnant • • 11h ago

Am I Pregnant

0 Upvotes

Hello. I finished my menstrual period 2 days ago. Had sex today without condom but my boyfriend did not ejaculate inside. And it only lasted for like 3 minutes. What are the chances that I’ll be pregnant from that? Sorry for asking, I’m young and a bit scared.


r/amipregnant • • 12h ago

Looking for thoughts

1 Upvotes

I’m (26) having some anxiety that I could be pregnant. Me and my partner use condoms and withdrawal and have had no issues with either.

2 days ago, 6 days before my period is due according to Flo (which is usually very accurate for me as I have very regular cycles), I woke up to some spotting. I assumed my period was starting early, but since then there’s been nothing. I’ve never had this before.

I now feel like I’m having my usual PMS symptoms (low mood/slightly tender breasts/bloating) but nothing out of the ordinary for me. My period is still supposedly 4 days away.

Has anyone else experienced this?


r/amipregnant • • 12h ago

Condom broke, fear of delayed ovulation + Plan B (Norlevo). Now bleeding a week later. Am I safe?

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I’m writing here because I’m dealing with a lot of anxiety right now and I really need some advice/reassurance.
On October 8th, my boyfriend and I had sex and the condom broke. According to my Flo app, my ovulation was estimated for October 5th, but because my cycle can be irregular, I was terrified that my ovulation was delayed and actually happened on the 8th (the day of the accident).
However, he pulled out and ejaculated completely outside. He had also urinated about 30 minutes before and hadn't ejaculated earlier that day. Just to be safe, I took the emergency contraceptive pill (Norlevo/Plan B) within 20 hours of the encounter.
My menstrual cycle is usually on the longer side, lasting about 33-35 days. Today (which would be day 28 of my cycle, exactly one week after the accident), I started moderate, bright red bleeding with some clots/pieces, accompanied by painful lower belly cramps and breakouts on my face.
I know emergency contraception causes hormonal shifts, but since this bleeding started earlier than my usual cycle, I wanted to ask:
Should I consider this bleeding as withdrawal bleeding caused by the pill, or is it likely my actual period starting early?
Given that Flo predicted ovulation on the 5th but it might have been delayed to the 8th, considering we used withdrawal, prior urination, and I took the pill within 20 hours, what are the actual chances of pregnancy here?
When is the best time to take a home pregnancy test to get a definitive, accurate result and clear my mind?
Thank you so much to anyone who replies!


r/amipregnant • • 15h ago

Condom slipped during ejaculation/pullout, ring stayed outside

1 Upvotes

Hey everyone, looking for some reassurance/advice on a situation that just happened. I was using a condom, but I always pull out before ejaculating as an extra precaution. During ejaculate, I pulled out, but I noticed the condom had slipped down a bit.The outer ring/base of the condom was still completely outside of her, and she was able to pull the condom out easily right after. Since the base/ring stayed outside the whole time, is the risk of pregnancy low, or should we consider emergency contraception (Plan B) just to be safe? She is not on birth control.


r/amipregnant • • 15h ago

7 days late

1 Upvotes

me and my partner had unprotected sex on sept 23rd, and now i'm 7 days late..He didn't finish inside, but still very concerned. I took a pregnancy test two days ago, was first response brand, came out negative. But i've been seeing a lot about how unreliable the brand is so i'm even more worried now. I don't feel weird or anything just back pain, but I started a new job and it's a lot of sitting so could explain it. I've also been getting discharge, the first day I was supposed to get my period. As well due to new job i'm waking up at 4am and I use to wake up at 9am so I don't know if that drastic sleep change could be a /the cause of my period being late. Should I take another pregnancy test of a different brand ? if so please give me suggestions 🥲


r/amipregnant • • 15h ago

First time TTC

1 Upvotes

Hi first time ttc and it’s only my second cycle- I started noticing yesterday and today my left ovary feeling heavy? Or like I could feel it more if that makes any sense? But could I be pregnant? For more context I am on a 28 day cycle last period was Sept 30th been trying since the 5th - 13th? Maybe I’m overthinking it but what do yall think?


r/amipregnant • • 19h ago

Help

2 Upvotes

So I have PCOS but for the past year or so it's been regular except for this month. But I have started taking topamax this past month and I've heard that can cause irregular periods?

But usually it comes on the 1st but it didn't. On the 10th I accidentally got semen on the entrance but I didn't have full penetrative sex. This is the first time that happened. It's the 15th now.

I'm so scared because I learned that I could get pregnant. Should I be worried. Am I fertile enough for that to even happen?


r/amipregnant • • 16h ago

Could I have an ectopic pregnancy?

1 Upvotes

My period is technically 10 days late. I started the faintest spotting on Sunday then spotting Monday and Tuesday. I wouldn't have even noticed if I hadn't been looking for it and I didn't need a pad at all. Not any spotting yesterday. Then this morning I'm getting my kid ready and I start feeling really nauseous and my back hurts. I've been in bed all day, just exhausted and hurting. When I got home from dropping him off and went back to sleep. After, I had a little blood in my underwear. No clots and only about a quarter-size spot. I thought for sure it was my period, cleaned up and grabbed a pad. Hours later, there's three tiny spots of blood but nothing else. So I guess I'm just still spotting. My husband and I had sex while I was ovulating a couple weeks ago.

The thing is, I had my tubes tied almost 7 years ago when I was 24. I've met lots of women who've gotten pregnant after without medical intervention including 2 who just had hysterectomies after multiple kids because they kept getting their tubes "retied" and getting pregnant anyway. I also know there's a higher chance of ectopic after the procedure.

The thing is, I took a test Sunday before the spotting started. I took one this morning first thing because I thought the bleeding was done. Like I said, not a drop yesterday on any toilet paper. It's super light pink mostly, usually faint except once or twice where there's maybe a 1/4 tsp worth of blood if that? Today is the most blood I've had and it's still not much. Now my belly is pouching out a little, and I don't normally deal with much bloating during my menses.

I'm sorry if this is a lot of information. I don't have an OB right now and my PC can't see me for almost 2 weeks.