Could I Have Conceived in February? Pregnancy Timelines

Date of conception

Doctor, I noticed that my period didn't come in February, and in March, there was only a little bit of bleeding.
On March 4th, I had unprotected intercourse, and I was quite active throughout March.
On March 25th, I went to the gynecologist for a pregnancy test, but it came back negative.
The doctor mentioned that my endometrium was thick, so they prescribed medication, saying my period would come after finishing it, but it still hasn't arrived.
On April 17th, I went back to the gynecologist and found out I was pregnant, but we couldn't hear a heartbeat yet.
The ultrasound photos from my prenatal check-up show a due date of December 21.
I would like to ask the doctor if it is possible that I conceived in February?

Mi Le, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2018/07/15

Dr. Huang Jianzhong reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

In February, it seems that my period did not come.
In March, there was only a little bit of bleeding.
On March 4, there was ejaculation inside.
Throughout mid-March, we were quite active sexually.
On March 25, I went to the gynecologist for a pregnancy test, but it was negative.
The doctor mentioned that my endometrium was thick, so they prescribed medication, saying that my period would come after finishing it, but my period still hasn't arrived.
On April 17, I went to the gynecologist and found out I was pregnant, but we couldn't hear a heartbeat yet.
The ultrasound images from the prenatal check-up show a due date of December 21.
I would like to ask the doctor if it is possible that I conceived in February? Answer: It is unlikely that conception occurred in February.

Reply Date: 2018/07/15

More Info

Based on the information provided, it seems unlikely that you conceived in February. To understand this better, let’s break down the timeline and the biological aspects of conception and pregnancy.

1. Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation: A typical menstrual cycle lasts about 28 days, but it can vary significantly among individuals. Ovulation usually occurs around 14 days before the start of the next menstrual period. If your last menstrual period (LMP) was in early February and you did not have a period in February, it is possible that you did not ovulate that month.
2. Timing of Sexual Intercourse: You mentioned having unprotected intercourse on March 4th and throughout March. If you did not have a period in February, the likelihood of conception occurring in February is low. The most fertile window is typically a few days before and after ovulation. If you had not ovulated in February, then conception would not have occurred during that time.

3. Pregnancy Test Results: You took a pregnancy test on March 25th, which came back negative. This suggests that if you were pregnant, it was likely too early for the test to detect the pregnancy hormone (hCG). However, given that you later found out you were pregnant on April 17th, it indicates that conception likely occurred after March 4th.

4. Ultrasound Findings: The ultrasound performed later indicated that you were already several weeks into your pregnancy by the time you were diagnosed. The estimated due date of December 21st aligns with a conception date that would be more consistent with mid-March rather than February.

5. Irregular Menstrual Cycles: Since you mentioned having irregular menstrual cycles, this can complicate the determination of ovulation and conception dates. Irregular cycles can lead to uncertainty about when you ovulate, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact date of conception.

In conclusion, based on the timeline and the details provided, it is more plausible that you conceived in March rather than February. The negative pregnancy test on March 25th further supports this, as it suggests that the pregnancy likely began after that date. If you have any further questions or concerns about your pregnancy or menstrual cycle, it is always best to consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice and care. They can provide more specific insights based on your medical history and current health status.

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