[Ticipa]

Hello. I'm 33 and have never been pregnant. I've been on bc most of my adult life. I went to a gynecologist yesterday. I had scheduled the appointment months ago due to some pelvic pain. When I went in, the nurse asked me when my last period was. I knew my period was about a week late. She asked if she could test my urine for pregnancy. When she came back in, she said the test was positive. I almost fell off the chair!! NOT at all what I expected.

It's true that I had sex last month and the condom broke at approximately the time I would have been ovulating, but I still question the results. I had been on birth control up until Jan when I decided that I would try to go without them due to migraines. The doctor gave me a pelvic exam and told me that I wasn't very far along. I was in such shock I didn't ask more questions, not even about my original complaint.

So, my question is this (I can't call the dr again until Monday!): i just read that ovarian cysts can cause a false positive test. I had an ultrasound back in July for the same problem and they found nothing. I've had pelvic exams and nothing. I had a lot of tests over the summer. The doctor I saw for these things seemed unconcerned and said it could be IBS. It is not an intense pain, but it just made me nervous. I've never been diagnosed with cysts.

So, how do you tell between an ovarian cyst and pregnancy? I don't know whether to be freaking out about being pregnant or not. My symptoms now are: nausea, mood swings, heartburn, bloating, sore breasts, insomnia and cravings. All of these can be caused by cysts, right?

This is tough because if I AM pregnant, some extremely tough decisions are ahead. Maybe I'm just trying to convince myself that I'm not pregnant, even after being diagnosed by a doctor AND (afterword) taking a home pregnancy test because I didn't believe them.

Sorry if this is rambling or if I sound crazy. I'm still in shock. I also hardly slept a wink last night and so I'm a little crazed. Maybe I also think that it's not possible to get pregnant the first month off of BC with one broken condom. I know it is scientifically, but...

[strvnwritr]

Hi and welcome! I'm no expert on ovarian cysts but from what I understand it is rare (albeit possible) to get a false pregnancy test as a result of one. That's because, if I understand correctly, the cyst would only produce a very small amount of hcg. Considering that the pregnancy test at your doctor's office showed positive, I think you're most certainly pregnant. I say that because doctor's tests are usually not very sensitive.

When you combine that with your symptoms, I'd say there's no question about it--you're pregnant.

As for the first month off the pill...I have a five year old conceived my first month off the pill. So it's very possible.

This is obviously an unexpected pregnancy for you but I still want to say congratulations and I wish you all the best!

[Ticipa]

Thanks for your response! I think it's starting to sink in and your response helps. I think at this point I'll assume I'm pregnant and make the decisions from there. I'm partly fascinated and partly terrified. I guess this is a pretty common reaction.

Thanks again!

[strvnwritr]

Originally Posted by Ticipa

Thanks for your response! I think it's starting to sink in and your response helps. I think at this point I'll assume I'm pregnant and make the decisions from there. I'm partly fascinated and partly terrified. I guess this is a pretty common reaction.

Thanks again!

Yes, I think it's a very normal reaction, particularly since you weren't trying to conceive. Good luck and have a happy and healthy nine months!

[Grace]

I once ask an ob about this and she explained the same thing, it is possible but very rare to get a + pg test because of a cyst. I would say indeed you are pg, it certainly only takes one time, the old saying it only takes 1 sperm is untrue, it actually takes around 500 sperm to break the egg down enough to let 1 in, but it really only takes one broken condom. As unexpected as it is, I hope everything turns out just fine for you. Just take it one day at a time.

[Ticipa]

Thanks, Grace! It's sinking in now. I guess this must be the first time in my life I've ever experienced true "denial". I guess it's made worse by the fact that I'm unmarried and live in a small, conservative town. My mom would faint if she knew, and I'm very close with her, so of course my stress level is skyrocketing. I haven't told anyone but my boyfriend, so your supportive words mean a lot.

[strvnwritr]

I know that must be a very difficult situation. Keep in mind that after the shock wears off, your mother will have the prospect of a new grandchild to kind of soften the blow

[anniemal]

You have to have faith that things will be alright. And yes, a cyst can very very very rarely give you a + pregnancy test. My sister had a huge cyst before she had her youngest daughter. Never did a test come back + until she was surprised with the + result that is now my almost 10 year old niece.

So good luck with the road ahead in telling people. I do hope that things go well for you. And here's to a happy and healthy nine months to come!