Is My Wife Pregnant? Early Pregnancy Signs and Tests

Q: Is My Wife Pregnant? Early Pregnancy Signs and Tests

Hello： If you feel that home pregnancy tests are not reliable, you are welcome to come for an examination at the Hsinchu City Hospital Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

I want to know if my wife is pregnant?

Hello, Doctor! My wife's last menstrual period was at the end of February and early March (during the Lunar New Year), and she still hasn't gotten her period.
We had protected intercourse during this time.
On February 28 and March 12, we purchased different brands of pregnancy tests, and both showed negative results.
Recently, she has been experiencing breast tenderness and thought her period was coming, but it still hasn't arrived (I read online that breast tenderness can also occur in early pregnancy).
I'm unsure if she might be pregnant.
Thank you for your response!

Xin Hun Nan, 30~39 year old female. Ask Date: 2006/03/14

Dr. Li Guanghan reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

Hello: If you feel that home pregnancy tests are not reliable, you are welcome to come for an examination at the Hsinchu City Hospital Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Reply Date: 2006/03/14

More Info

Determining whether your wife is pregnant can be a nuanced process, especially in the early stages of pregnancy. Based on the information you've provided, there are several factors to consider.

Firstly, the timing of her last menstrual period (LMP) is crucial. If her last period was at the end of February or early March, and she has not had a period since, it is possible that she could be pregnant. However, the fact that you mentioned using condoms during sexual intercourse is significant. While condoms are generally effective at preventing pregnancy, they are not infallible. If there was any breakage or slippage, there is a chance of pregnancy.

You mentioned that you purchased pregnancy tests on two occasions, and both tests indicated that she was not pregnant. Home pregnancy tests work by detecting the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in urine, which is produced shortly after a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. These tests are most accurate when taken after a missed period. If your wife tested before her expected period, it could lead to a false negative result.
The symptoms your wife is experiencing, such as breast tenderness or swelling, can indeed be early signs of pregnancy. However, they can also be associated with the premenstrual phase. Hormonal changes that occur before menstruation can lead to similar symptoms, making it difficult to distinguish between premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and early pregnancy symptoms.

If your wife continues to miss her period, it would be advisable for her to take another pregnancy test, ideally a few days after her expected period. If she still receives a negative result but her period does not arrive, it may be beneficial for her to consult a healthcare provider. They can perform a blood test, which is more sensitive than a urine test and can detect lower levels of hCG.

Additionally, if she experiences any unusual symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, or dizziness, she should seek medical attention promptly, as these could indicate complications.

In summary, while the absence of a period and breast tenderness could suggest pregnancy, the use of condoms and the negative pregnancy tests complicate the situation. It is essential to wait a little longer and possibly retest or consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation. Early pregnancy can be tricky to confirm, and medical advice can provide clarity and peace of mind.

Similar Q&A

Understanding Pregnancy Concerns: Signs, Symptoms, and Testing

Hello, doctor. My girlfriend got her period on July 4th. We had a brief sexual encounter on July 20th where I inserted my penis for less than 3 seconds and then pulled out without ejaculating. I'm quite certain about this. Could this lead to pregnancy? I took a pregnancy tes...

Dr. Zhang Kunmin reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Hello, based on your description, if your menstrual period is normal from the 8th to the 15th, the chances of pregnancy are low. The instances you mentioned where someone has a period but is still pregnant are often due to early pregnancy bleeding being mistaken for menstruation....

Signs of Pregnancy: Understanding Symptoms and When to Take a Test

My girlfriend has been feeling nauseous lately, experiencing lower back pain, dizziness, and there's bleeding when I insert my fingers into her vagina during intercourse, which didn't happen before. The nausea started around the same time. Could this be a sign of pregna...

Dr. Li Guanghan reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
You can take a pregnancy test three days after a missed period. Symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, and bleeding could all be signs of pregnancy. - Dr. Cheng Jin-He, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hsinchu Hospital.

Signs of Early Pregnancy: Dizziness and Nausea After Sex

Dizziness, loss of appetite, and nausea 25 days after sexual intercourse could be early signs of pregnancy. However, if a pregnancy test taken on the 18th day after intercourse showed only one line, it typically indicates a negative result. It's also possible that these symp...

Dr. Cao Guotao reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Hello, if your period is more than a week late, it is recommended to see a gynecologist. Wishing you good health.

Is She Pregnant? Understanding Pregnancy Tests and Symptoms

My girlfriend's period is already 5 days late, but recently she has been experiencing symptoms similar to those she has before her period, although now it comes in waves with menstrual-like cramps. She also used a pregnancy test, following the instructions, and it showed res...

Dr. Lü Lizheng reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
The pregnancy test showed only one red line within the first five minutes, but after ten minutes, a faint second red line appeared. This typically indicates a positive result for pregnancy, although the faintness suggests it may be very early in the pregnancy. Recently, there hav...