Expert: Catherine Beier MS CBE - 5/29/2008

Question
Hi, Ms. Beier

Something tells me I might be pregnant.  I'm waiting until the end of next week to have a Qualitive Blood Test.   I'm jumping to the gun with this test this time because I believe I have a UTI (and do not want any kind of antibiotics if I should be pregnant).   Believe me, I'd rather itch and burn for weeks.

Just a note:  The last time I tried to conceive was last weekend.  Oh sure, I realize this is *really, really* early.
But for some reason, I have hope this time around..  I don't remember if I "felt pregnant" after conceiving my first child, but I do remember feeling rumblings not too long after conceiving my second.  

This time around, I could swear there's movement inside my middle.  (Not in the lower intestinal area like gas..)   And I imagine that my uterus is actually stretching(?) as it seems a little bloated ((again, in the *middle)) of my belly.   Oh, sure, watch it be gas. (hope not).

True, this is ridiculously soon.   Could I just be imagining this, or in your experience, is it at all possible to feel as though a uterus is stretching (or to feel movement) so early on?

Thank you!  

Answer
C,

You pose an interesting question.  You didn't indicate how far along you think you may be, but I'm guessing no more than 6 weeks.


To answer one part of the question, no, it is not possible to feel movement this soon.  The baby is not even formed at this stage.  There is a sac at most and the fetal pole is just developing.  There are no limbs to move at this point.


On the other hand, is it possible to feel strange uterine twinges at this stage?


Well, from my personal experience, yes.  With both my children, I knew I was pregnant because I felt this slight stretching/twinge on my left side both times.  It was something I've never felt before and was a clear sign to me that I was indeed pregnant - and I was.  


We tried for 6 months with our first and 7 months with our second, and I knew both times that we had suceeded because this feeling was so different from anything I'd felt before.


With my first, I felt the twinges about 10 days before I got a positive HPT at 4 weeks, 4 days.  With my second, I felt the twinges about 14 days before my positive HPT at 5 weeks.


Could it all be in your head?  Yes, that is also a possibility.  Only time will tell.  


Good luck and if you think you have a UTI, then try some cranberry juice to clear it.  I don't recommend leaving an infection untreated as it could potentially cause pregnancy complications.  It's best to check it out so you know what you're dealing with and what your options are for treatment.


Best,
Catherine