Late positive test cause for concern?

Preparing For Your Next Pregnancy
1

Hi all!

Just to get this off my mind!

I have had two pregnancies, my first I got a positive test when I was maybe 3 days late, this sadly ended in miscarriage. My second pregnancy I didn’t get a positive test until six weeks (pretty certain of dates as my husband was away and we couldn’t have conceived later!) this was the pregnancy that turned out to be ectopic. We are now trying to conceive again and I am nearly a week late with negative tests. Is a late on positive test suggestive of an ectopic pregnancy? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Planing to test of the weekend and if I’m still late call the GP! Just can’t get the worry out of my mind! Thank you!

2

Dear LRDav,

I am so sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy and losses,

Unfortunately home pregnancy test kits are not sensitive or reliable enough to guage if your pregnancy is ectopic or not.

Just to give you an indication, I had a strong positive on my first pregnancy, which sadly turned out to be ectopic and a barely there positive on my second pregnancy which was successful.

Periods can be delayed for a number of reasons including stress or even (as surprising as it may sound) excessive exercise or weight loss. Doctors normally consider menstrual cycles of between 23-42 days to be within normal parameters. If you have not had your expected period, we would advise retesting, using an early morning urine sample in a further week.

If it is positive (whispered congratulations) and contact your local EPU or GP to book in for an early pregnancy scan at around 6 weeks. If it is negative, speak to your GP as you stated. Sadly I do have to remind you to seek urgent medical advice if you experience any unexpected or heavy bleeding, abdominal pain, shoulder tip pain or feel dizzy and unwell.

Sending much love,

Karen x

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