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Childbirth/Am I pregnant?!

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Expert: - 8/30/2010


Question
I had sex with my boyfriend just once 15 days ago, which was the day before
my period was due.  He only penetrated me partially and didn't ejaculate
inside of me.  My period (which is usually regular, though longer than
average) didn't come until last night (2 weeks late), and I only bled a very
small amount, then stopped.  I've taken several hpt's, which were all negative,
but I am unsure whether the timing was too soon.  I've been under various
circumstances that are said to throw off a cycle (a great deal of stress, rapid
weight loss & gain, illness, and overseas travel) for the past month and a half.  
Is it likely that I'm pregnant?  Was it too soon for me to take those hpt's?  
Should I be worried about having such a late and short period?  Sorry for all
the questions; I'm driving myself crazy, and hopefully some answers can calm
me down.

Answer
If you wait until 17 days after the incident, you should get an accurate result.

Yes, stress can throw off your cycle, and sometimes you can have a different period. Even with that, it's highly unlikely that you're pregnant,although certainly not impossible. A test at 17 days will be accurate and should hopefully put your mind at ease.

Sincerely,

Dorothy H, LCCE  

Childbirth

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Dorothy H, LCCE

Expertise

As a certified childbirth educator and birth doula, I can answer questions dealing with preparing for birth, childbirth classes, pregnancy, what happens during labor and birth, doulas, VBAC, natural childbirth, cesarean birth, interventions in labor, labor, birth, helping someone through labor, concerns or fears about labor and birth, doulas, breastfeeding, and other topics dealing with pregnancy, labor, and birth.

Experience

Since 2004, I have taught childbirth education classes focused on helping couples gain confidence, make decisions for their birth, and give them tools for helping them get the birth they want. Since 2004, I have also attended births in local hospitals as a birth doula (as of 8/10, I have attended 120 births) so I am able to see firsthand what is working in helping couples deal with labor. I am also a mom of five children, and have various birth experiences myself, including unmedicated birth and a cesarean.

Organizations
Lamaze International DONA International

Publications
International Doula Magazine

Education/Credentials
I am a Lamaze-certified childbirth educator. I am a DONA-certified birth doula.

Past/Present Clients
I work with approximately 4-6 couples a month with my childbirth classes. I attend 2 births a month with doula clients.

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