Suggest possible tests to confirm pregnancy
Patient: Hi, I just had my period from the 10th to the 15th. I had sex with my boyfriend protectively on 16th and unprotected on the 18th. On the 20th I went to get the morning after pill and the nurse told me I was pregnant. I told a ultrasounds today and nothing is there. Am I pregrant? I need help!!!! Doctor: Hallow Dear,There is a lot of misconception.Firstly, if you had menses from 10th to 15th, 18th is the day 8 of your cycle. The fertile window usually lies between day 10 to day 20 of the cycle (see below). So the chances of becoming pregnant are very remote. Moreover, it is impossible for the nurse to diagnose a pregnancy on day 10 of the cycle after menses. The egg is yet to be released. The egg is released (ovulation) 14 days before the next expected menses. Egg lives for 24 hours and sperms are active for 72 hours. Hence a period of about 8 to 10 days around this day of ovulation is considered as Fertile window. So on 20th your ovulation also had not taken place. How can you become pregnant? No test for pregnancy will reveal pregnancy as it is not there. Please wait for the menses. If you have few more intercourse in the fertile window, you will have chances to conceive and then 8-10 days after the missed period, your urine test for pregnancy will detect it. Of course, Beta hCG tests can give reliable results within 2-3 days of missed period. Best Wishes,Dr. Nishikant Shrotri