Hernia or Ectopic Pregnancy?

I found out earlier this week that I'm pregnant. Initially, the doctor estimated I was 6 weeks pregnant based on my last period (on or around Feb 17), but the blood test showed I was more like 1-2 weeks pregnant. I don't know if that means 1-2 weeks from conception or 1-2 weeks from implantation.

In any case, I've had a hernia for the past three years in my lower left abdomen. I have had ongoing pain, but never really severe enough to have the surgery to get it fixed. For the last few days, it feels like the pain has increased. It's not super severe, but it seems more noticeably than before.

I could just be paranoid, but I'm concerned that I have an ectopic pregnancy. Does the pain feel the same for a hernia as an ectopic pregnancy? It's kind of a dull pain in my low left pelvic area that kind of shoots down to the very top of my inner thigh sometimes. Could that explain why my blood work shows only 2 weeks pregnant when my last period was 6-7 weeks ago? Or am I just overreacting and it's just my hernia?

I have an appointment with the OB Tuesday, but I'm not sure if they can really tell whether it's a normal pregnancy or not so early into it...

Any advice would be much appreciated!

[Ricobord]

Really good question!  I don't think you can know without a doctor's exam.  Sometimes a lower than expected hormone level indicates an ectopic pregnancy.  But you could also have ovulated late, have a normal pregnancy that is only 1-2 weeks along, but the hernia is becoming a problem.

But if the pain gets too bad before the doctor's appointment, do not hesitate to go to the emergency room.  Either one could be serious.