midwives, is it possible to be 4-5 wks pregnant & getting NEG results?

[Lucilla]

I am asking for a friend. She asked me this and I wasn't sure of the answer. She is 6 days late for her period and suspects pregnancy, but has taken 2 pregnancy tests and both were negative.

She is nursing her 15 month old, if that makes a difference; and she has had her period back since 3 months postpartum, and it has been pretty regular.

She has a few other possible pregnancy symptoms; vertigo (I think that's the right word ), slightly queasy but not nauseaous, slightly more tired than usual, small things like that. If she was pregnant, why would the results be negative?

Any thoughts! I'll pass them on to her....thank you!

[momileigh]

Although I have no idea what the mechanism is that would cause a false negative, I do personally know people who consistently test negative when they are pregnant.

If she wants to be sure, she should get a blood test. But if I were her I'd just wait it out.

[MidwifeErika]

It is also possible that she ovulated a little late. I would wait a week and retest if the period still hasn't shown up.

[valeria_vi]

not a midwife, but YES - it is possible. it happened to me :-)))
my periods are irregular, but I had brest tenderness so bad, that no words can describe it. i couldn't move my arms it hurt so bad. i did a test and it was negative. way way way later I found out I'm pregnant, and I did ultrasound for dating. it puts me at 5 weeks pregnant for the time of the test. so yes - it is possible. by the time i did another test, i was already 12 weeks along (yep - lucky me - i had no morning sickness) and at that time the test was positive.
the test measures the level of pregnancy hormone. it could be that the test itself is not sensitive enough or just that this is the way her body is. she can try different brands or do a blood test - that should be accurate. good luck!