Can a pregnancy test be positive even when I am not pregnant?
Yes it is possible for the pregnancy test to be positive even when the person is not pregnant. The conditions when this happens are;
1. When the person is having hCG injections for treatment of infertility.
2. If they have an hCG secreting tumour in their body.
3. After having an abortion which can be either spontaneous or induced the pregnancy test can remain positive for a few weeks.
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When to consult a doctor?
Ideally it is recommended to visit a doctor before becoming pregnant when you are planning to start a pregnancy, but if it is not possible then as soon as you miss a period or find out that you are pregnant you should visit the doctor.
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What are the common early pregnancy symptoms?
Pregnancy Fatigue
It is one of the most common symptoms of pregnancy, commonly experienced during the first trimester or as early as the first week after conception. Feeling excessively sleepy and becoming easily tired in pregnancy is pretty common. It is mainly due to excessive production of hormones specially progesterone. This condition gradually improves with time as the body becomes adjusted.
Headaches
Some women experience headaches during pregnancy consult a doctor if they become unbearable. The doctor can advise you medicines for relief.
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Dizziness
Another common symptom of pregnancy is dizziness or feeling faint. It is due to a fall in blood sugar as in pregnancy your blood sugar is used up quickly and secondly due to a fall in your blood pressure. The increase secretion of hormones like progesterone causes blood vessels to dilate leading to pooling of blood in the legs so the level of blood returning to heart decreases causing a fall in blood pressure and secondly as the uterus grows it puts pressure on the veins and impeding the venous return to the heart. Keep your sugar level normal by eating small frequent meals and keep yourself hydrated by taking plenty of fluids to combat hypotension, avoid sudden abrupt changes in posture i.e. gradually stand from a sitting position and start walking after a minute or two.
Frequent Urination
The expanding uterus puts more pressure on the bladder causing frequent urination. The body is producing more fluids, the blood supply to the kidneys is increased leading to increased urine production. This symptom will disappear after delivery.
Nausea & Vomiting
The most frequently experienced symptom of pregnancy is nausea and vomiting. It can start as soon as 7 days after conception. It does not always occur in the morning but can last throughout the entire day. Some women have no precipitating cause while some develop nausea from certain strong smells or foods.
It is causing by rising levels of the hormone, human chorionic gonadotrophin or hCG. This feeling ends once the second trimester begins as the hormone level stabilizes and stops to rise.
Back Pain
About 50% of women experience back pain during pregnancy. Reasons are changes in weight, shifting of center of gravity towards the front of the body. Most of the weight is carried in the front which creates a strain on the back while trying to adjust balance.
Dr. Ambreen Akhtar