4 days late, negative blood test.

Jennxo

I am now four days late, light back pain, slight nausea and slight cramping. My boyfriend and I have been ttc for about a month. I went for a blood test 2 days ago and it came back negative. Don't know what to think. Anyone had this happen?

Sliptak

I am actually going through this right now too. Today marks 8 days late for me but I got a blood test done when I was 3 days late and had a negative. Just in case I took another hpt yesterday morning and got a bfn.
I'm not sure what to think either. Obviously all signs point to no, but 8 days and no af seems excessive

FemShep

Do you temp and chart so that you know when you ovulated? Many things can cause a delay in ovulation, and you can't tell if you're "late" unless you know for sure when you ovulated. It's entirely possible you're not actually late at all. The newbie blog on Trying to get pregnant has some great information that may be helpful for you.

nopegoat

When I am TTC I become super sensitive to every little twinge and symptom. Like the others have already said, if the test is negative then you are not pregnant. Sorry girl.The waiting game with TTC is hard. Hope you get your bfp soon. 

TikiTurtle

Just an FYI, blood tests are no stronger then hpt's, in fact most hpt's are more sensitive. So don't waste your time and money (and the Doctors) getting a blood test until you get a bfp. Also, blue dye tests tend to have a higher tendency to give false negatives, so stuik with pink dye tests. Good luck!

Ducktale

Agree with pp, you don't know you're late unless your charting your BBT. Just because the calendar says its been more than usual days since your LMP does not mean your late. No need to waste time and resources on blood tests, the pee sticks don't lie.

TikiTurtle

WhoCanItBeNow said:

TikiTurtle said:

Just an FYI, blood tests are no stronger then hpt's, in fact most hpt's are more sensitive. So don't waste your time and money (and the Doctors) getting a blood test until you get a bfp. Also, blue dye tests tend to have a higher tendency to give false negatives, so stuik with pink dye tests. Good luck!

What? No. Blood tests are far more accurate than a urine HPT. 

Urine tests at the doctors office are often less sensitive.

My bad. I was thinking about the urine tests. Major brain fart.

normandyn7

Pretty much what everyone else said. Just remember, if you're far enough along to be experiencing pregnancy symptoms, then you're far enough along to get a positive pregnancy test. So if the test is negative, then you're not pregnant right now. Test once a week until you get a positive or your period. If you get neither for 90 days then go to your doctor.

I'm going through the same thing right now. I'm convinced that I'm pregnant but the test said I'm not. So I'm going to test once a week until I get my period.

Sliptak

Actually @joy2611 my doctor was the one who told me to go get a blood test. And I am charting. Thanks for the snippy attitude though that really helps.

Jags8

Sliptak said:

Actually @joy2611 my doctor was the one who told me to go get a blood test. And I am charting. Thanks for the snippy attitude though that really helps.

Then you need a new doctor.

WashingtonQueen

I don't understand why you got a blood test.

WashingtonQueen

Sliptak said:

Actually @joy2611 my doctor was the one who told me to go get a blood test. And I am charting. Thanks for the snippy attitude though that really helps.

Oh get over it. She is trying to help you. The proper response would be "Thank you for taking the time to try and help, Joy. It looks like I have a little more learning to do, I'll get on that."

I also call BS on the charting.

24karat

Sliptak said:

Actually @joy2611 my doctor was the one who told me to go get a blood test. And I am charting. Thanks for the snippy attitude though that really helps.

If by "charting" you mean recording your period start dates, OPKs, and/or cervical mucus, that's not what Joy was referencing. She was talking about taking your BBT daily which is the only way you can know for sure when you are ovulating. If you know your O date there is no guesswork about being "late."

Also @Sliptak if you think that @Joy2611 's answer was snippy, I'd recommend getting a thicker skin or you will likely not do well here.

Sliptak

I know what she meant...I started charting my bbt last month, edit* before that I just marked my start and end dates and checked cm but after lurking on these boards I learned about bbt.* As far as opks, I have one that I was going to use on this next cycle but I'm just waiting for af. This will be my first time using one.

WashingtonQueen

Sliptak said:

I know what she meant...I started charting my bbt last month, edit* before that I just marked my start and end dates and checked cm but after lurking on these boards I learned about bbt.* As far as opks, I have one that I was going to use on this next cycle but I'm just waiting for af. This will be my first time using one.

Can you link your chart?

Sliptak

I guess I could. I use the app called my days. Is it really that serious that I need to prove my charting to you?

WashingtonQueen

Sliptak said:

I guess I could. I use the app called my days. Is it really that serious that I need to prove my charting to you?

If you link your chart we can help you by taking a look and seeing if you pinpointed the correct O day.

If you learned your charting info from this site you would be using Fertility Friend. I took a look at the My Days app and nowhere on it did I see anything having to do with imputing your BBT.

WashingtonQueen

I kept looking and found some more apps. There are a couple with similar names. I did find one that has the BBT but they call it BMT. Is that the one you use?

Jags8

Sliptak said:

I guess I could. I use the app called my days. Is it really that serious that I need to prove my charting to you?

Whoa take a deep breath and calm down lady. I'm pretty sure @WashingtonQueen just wanted to help you.

Jags8

Also, I used to use My Days just to track when to change my NuvaRing and when we had sex (just in case the bc didn't work, I could hopefully narrow down when I had gotten pregnant). But Fertility Friend is way better for tracking BBT, CM, etc.

24karat

Sliptak said:

I guess I could. I use the app called my days. Is it really that serious that I need to prove my charting to you?

@WashingtonQueen was asking you to link so those who've charted for a while can take a look and see if they can help you, since you said you weren't sure what was going on and didn't know what to think. We're all trying to help you but you do need to calm down and not get so defensive when we ask for information that will allow us to help out.

Sliptak

Wow I'm sorry I definitely got defensive there. I'll link screen shots of my charts. I've been using my days just because I've had it on my phone for years now. It doesn't say bbt or but it has a place to input temperatures. I've been tracking since January

Sliptak

@jags8 thanks for the advice I'll download fertility friend

how do I attach my screenshot? Is it possible to do on the phone or do I need to get on my computer?

Jags8

Sliptak said:

@jags8 thanks for the advice I'll download fertility friend how do I attach my screenshot? Is it possible to do on the phone or do I need to get on my computer?

You're welcome.
Below where you write, there should be a link that says "Attach a file."

24karat

If you click attach file, it should allow you to upload from your phone.

Sliptak

It doesn't do anything when I click on choose file?

Sliptak

I apologize for getting so defensive so quickly. I really don't know why I got like that, I should remember this forum is for women in similar situation to help each other and I joined in because I saw how much you all genuinely care for each other and do your best to help each other. I also learned a little just from lurking and figured if I could ask specific questions it would be even more helpful. I didn't even think that you were all trying to give me advice when you asked for my charts, which is crazy because that's what we're all here for. 

Sorry ladies I didn't mean to be so cranky!! You're all right, this is all new to me and I probably am making tons of mistakes, I need to swallow my pride and remember that I have a lot to learn! Thanks for reminding me!!

Ok so I switched from my phone to my computer and I was able to attach them. There's a big downward slope because I skipped a couple days of taking my temperature when I left my thermometer at home and we were staying at our camp. 

Sliptak

oops sorry only one of them attached!

Jags8

Honestly, I'm having a hard time reading your charts. I can't even tell when you may have ovulated.

WashingtonQueen

What cycle day are you on now?

Sliptak

It says I ovulated on the 23rd of January and I don't have any ovulation for this month yet...the "predictor" page says it should be on the 22nd but that's if I had started on the 7th. I'm on day 39 now. 

Jags8

This isn't mine, it is just an example. But see how there is a clear temp shift? I'm just not seeing that on yours.

WashingtonQueen

I really don't like that app. I can't read it very well. The second picture you posted is actually the first one right? And the numbers on the bottom are the dates and not your cycle days? Just trying to make sure I'm looking at it right.

Sliptak

Yes I accidentally posted them backwards, and yes they are the dates on the bottom. I see what you mean...I did think it was weird that when I had the flu it spiked so high and when it was only a 3 degree difference. I just downloaded fertility friend and I'll start using that to chart tomorrow. 

WashingtonQueen

What thermometer do you use? A regular one or a BBT?

Sliptak

I've been using a regular one just because that's what I have and I read on a different website that it doesn't make that big of a difference as long as you stay consistent with the time you take your temperature and the thermometer you use. Do you agree with that or do you think I should switch? I've been taking my temperature from my underarm

greeneyed_bride

Sliptak said:

I've been using a regular one just because that's what I have and I read on a different website that it doesn't make that big of a difference as long as you stay consistent with the time you take your temperature and the thermometer you use. Do you agree with that or do you think I should switch? I've been taking my temperature from my underarm

There's your problem. It should be oral or vaginal.

WashingtonQueen

Sliptak said:

I've been using a regular one just because that's what I have and I read on a different website that it doesn't make that big of a difference as long as you stay consistent with the time you take your temperature and the thermometer you use. Do you agree with that or do you think I should switch? I've been taking my temperature from my underarm

This could explain your wonky chart. A lot of regular thermometers have a "favorite" temp in its memory. If your temp is anywhere near the favored temp it will just tell you that instead and it can mess up your chart. I suggest the BBT from Walmart, it's only $8.
Also, I would not suggest underarm temping. Oral or vaginal is much better.

Sliptak

Oh...my mil said armpit. So it's fine to use a regular thermometer and take it orally?

greeneyed_bride

Sliptak said:

Oh...my mil said armpit. So it's fine to use a regular thermometer and take it orally?

I used a regular thermometer my first month of temping and was still able to see a clear shift. But I like the BBT thermometers better because they make it easier to see a smaller shift. Also, some regular thermometers are just crappy. We had one we used for my son, and when he was warm to the touch and clearly had a fever, it said his temp was 97. I ended up using my BBT to check his temp instead.

ETA - However, I wouldn't switch thermometers in the middle of a cycle. Buy one now, and assuming your period shows up, start temping with it during your next cycle. Switching in the middle can screw your chart up because there can be a variance of a degree or two between thermometers.

Jags8

Sliptak said:

Oh...my mil said armpit. So it's fine to use a regular thermometer and take it orally?

Honestly I would just switch to a BBT. It goes to the hundredth instead of tenth of a degree. And definitely start temping orally or vaginally.