I have been trying to get pregnant for the past year with no luck. I have no health problems, but during my period I see clots and have strong cramps. Before my period (about 10 days before) I get all the symptoms of morning sickness. My friend says I'm losing the baby in its early stages. Could that be happening? She says it's because of the strong cramps and me moving too much. Could that be true?

S.R.

Women who have no known fertility factors, having appropriately timed intercourse, will have an egg fertilized up to 85 percent of the time. Approximately 30-40 percent of these pregnancies are lost even before pregnancy is suspected. Only by measuring daily blood hCG levels starting about seven or eight days after ovulation can you determine if this is the case.

Your symptoms are not a reliable predictor for this. Morning sickness is related to progesterone levels. Progesterone rises after ovulation, and even the normal rise of progesterone seen with each ovulation can be enough for some women to experience morning sickness.

I am not sure what type of "moving too much" your friend suggests may be interfering, but physical activity is not likely a concern nor a cause for pregnancy loss. I would suggest that you thank your friend for her support, but that you seek medical advice from a physician who is trained in this discipline.