TTC#2: repeated faint +ve tests followed swiftly by AF

[hobnob57]

I'm not sure whether I'm on the right board here, but wondered if anyone had any ideas on this or has been through anything similar.

LO#1 was conceived with pretty much no effort required. After she was born, I didn't feel ready for #2 for a while due to her having reflux issues, chronic tiredness on my part and also my SPD took flipping ages to settle down again. So, when she was 17mo we thought we'd try again. 5 months later, Ive had 2 months where I've had faint positive pregnancy tests followed by 'AF', and I'm pretty sure it's about to happen again. The first time it happened I definitely felt pg - even started the bottomless appetite/raging thirst thing. It took 3 days, but then massive cramps and huge AF arrived. The second time I tested early at the first sign on brownish discharge, hoping it was implantation but no, it wasn't. Got a faint +ve though. I've felt pg other months too, but haven't tested to confirm before AF arrived. I've had a 3rd faint +ve today but feel that AF is imminent on it's due day tomorrow.

Am I having implantation issues, and if so, what can cause those? I had an emcs 1st time round. I get pains up my midline before and during periods since then - don't know if that's just a symptom of my separated abs or something more sinister. I'm just exasperated that I can't get excited about these positive tests! I'm beginning to believe that it'll never happen again, and everyone is now quite publicly saying 'isn't it time for #2 yet?' and we have no answer to that...

[PussinJimmyChoos]

I had a show with DS the day AF was due and that was implantation bleeding. So, its always possible to have that.

However, if it is followed by AF, I would say that its likely to be a chemical pregnancy. There is a fertilised egg, enough to start signalling the production of HcG - hence the faint positive but not enough to sustain the preg, hence AF a few days later

I'm afraid its a waiting game at the moment to see whether AF arrives or not. I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed for you

If its any consolation, I felt very crampy until the first 10 weeks were over - I even wore pads as felt like I was going to come on any minute, even though I knew I was pg!

[ShowOfHands]

It is estimated that up to 50% of all cycles are chemical pregnancies for women ttc. Early testing and sensitive hpts just show them up nowadays. Upsetting and frustrating but common. I wish you luck.

[hobnob57]

Thanks for the info and sympathy. I was aware of the 50% thing... was just thinking that my odds seemed to be a bit higher than that and wondered if there were any potential reasons for it?

[in reality I suppose what I'm really looking for is for someone to suggest something that I can spend hours Googling for and dithering over whether to go and see GP and distract myself from the reality of another month ttc! Will crawl back into the hole from whence I came and resolve to look on the bright side of things]

[ShowOfHands]

I do admire you. I have a 17 month old and can't even contemplate trying again. I would imagine that having finally taken the plunge to try, the frustration is increased.

It took me 13 months, a chemical preg and miscarriage to conceive my dd. The idea of going through it again is maddening.

I'll look out for your 'I'M PREGNANT' thread with bated breath.

[roseability]

Hi HobNob

I had 2 consecutive chemical pregnancies in July/August

At the moment my period is 4 days late and I have lots of symptoms. I am convinced I am pregnant again but dare not test. I spent an absolute fortune on HPTs and spent too much time squinting at barely there pink lines in the window, I can't face going through it again.

It is so tough. Have fingers crossed for you (and myself).

Don't know when I am going to pluck up the courage to test!

[hobnob57]

Fingers crossed for you - sounds promising! My symptoms disappeared about a week ago and AF arrived today as expected. So that's chemical pregnancy #3. If I ever do get a nice BFP rather than a sketchy one then I'll be paranoid about MC before 12 weeks I think! I hope that you manage to keep up your positive outlook Rosehearty. I do think that you get a 'feeling' about how things are going so I reckon you're on a winner!

[hobnob57]

Sorry, that's Roseability!

[anonymxxx]

Hey Hobnob. I know that pregnancy can change your thyroid activity which can cause secondary infertility. Don't know however, if and how that influences implantation. Sorry to hear that AF arrived.

[hobnob57]

Hmmm I've heard that I think. I've a feeling I had thyroid tests done last Xmas when I was feeling particularly knackered and they were 'normal' then so I don't expect things will have changed since then (12 months after birth). I think I will ask GP next time I'm there though.

[hobnob57]

any news rosehearty?

[roseability]

Still no period, so one week late tomorrow (I have a pretty regular 28 day cycle)

I don't feel nauseous anymore but have very sore boobs and need to pee a lot!

I am not testing until next week. I went through so much stress with the 2 chemical pregnancies. I refuse to spend a fortune on tests and squint at lines!

My plan is to buy a digital next week. Just pregnant or not pregnant - NO LINES! If I am preggers a test will definatley show positive by then. If I start bleeding before then I will just presume my period was late. In a twisted way I think if I miscarry but I am 6 weeks, I might be taken more seriously by my GP. Some people don't view chemical pregnancies as true miscarriages

The waiting is killing me though. I am not a laid back person and not sleeping very well

[roseability]

forgot to add I am very sorry for what you have been through hobnob. It is so tough and such an emotional rollercoster

[smallone]

I think that all these v sensitive tests have alot to blame for all this heart ache. There is alot to be said for roseability's approach - although I wouldn't hold out that long

I think testing with a high level test (clearblue) on the day of your longest ever cycle - CD32 for me, but usual cycle 28. Should give you more reliable results.

Some of these fertilisations are never meant to implant, and early losses are natures way of protecting us, we shouldn't have to beat ourselves up about them.

[hobnob57]

I know you're right smallone, but I still think that I'll be doing the same this month. In a twisted way I really want to know that I'm not out of my head thinking I'm pregnant and there really is something there. As I said before I'm also paranoid that there's a scarring problem with my uterus that may be causing this (I know I'm pulling at straws - that's why I'd never admit it to a GP, but by the same token I want 'evidence' in case I ever do!).

Hmmm. When you type out your paranoias they really sound futile.

I'm so impressed with you rosehearty!

[HeadFairy]

This is very interesting for me. I didn't know about the 50% statistic for chemical pregnancies. I've been convinced I was pg, I was three days late, been having brown spotting for days and loads of pains, plus boobs keep feeling like I'm getting a milk let down and nipples are really dark. However have just started period, so perhaps I had a chemical pregnancy too. How very weird, it had never occured to me these things were possible.

[roseability]

hobnob - I know your reasoning.

Part of me wants to test, to know, so that if it doesn't stick again I have evidence that something might be wrong.

But then is there something wrong if you have repeated chemical pregnancies? Or is it, whilst terribly upsetting, quite natural? Of course I mean that as no disrespect as I know there is nothing 'natural' feeling about it when you go through it. But if there is a 50% statistic, then that is a 50% chance it won't stick each time you conceive. One month, one will stick I'm sure.

And whilst I hated people saying 'at least you know you can get pregnant' (with a passion!) are more pressing problems with conception a lack of ovulation or poor sperm quality? I don't know, just waffling!

I suppose i'm just trying to be supportive but I worry I am in danger of trivialising chemical pregnancy. I know how horrible and sould destroying it is when you know, even for just a day or two you are pregnant, and then it is all taken away from you. You still visualise 'a baby', work out due dates etc

It sucks ttc soemtimes. I just hope the sex is good!

[HeadFairy]

Roseability, I hope things work out right for you and it sticks this time.

I've never experienced this chemical pregnancy thing, how do I know if this is what's happened to me?

Is the period after a chem pg particularly heavy?

I know that after mc many women experience a slight surge in their fertility, is this also the case with chem pg?

So many questions....

[hobnob57]

I know 100% of what you've said is right. I was just using MN to indulge my neuroses. Sad thing is, I no longer get excited about positive tests nor even dream about due dates. DH has banned me from buying an ovulation kit so we are resolving just to take each month as it comes.... again.

HeadFairy, the only reason I knew about these pgs was because I tested a day early. My period when I was 3 days late was more heavy and painful than normal, but the other 2 haven't been (these bleeds were more or less just a day late).

Don't know much about fertility post-mc I'm afraid. I think it varies wildly.

[hobnob57]

I was going to add Rosehearty that my first pg showed an IMMEDIATE and unmistakable blue line when I did the test at 2 days after my period was due.

But then I've just spoken to a friend who got negative tests for 3 weeks but was actually pregnant all that time.

So I guess we can't win...

[HeadFairy]

Gah! Blooming period has stopped dead. It was a tiny amount, not enough to fill a tampon (sorry 'bout that) so now I'm back to thinking i'm pg.

[hobnob57]

HeadFairy - any developments? I've got my fingers crossed for you!

[HeadFairy]

Thanks so much for the crossed fingers, it must have worked because I got a +ive test this morning (cd 32) with a clear blue digital. I did carry on with some bleeding, but it seems to have stopped now. Still feeling pregnant, boobs feel tingly and have been nauseous all day, so I'm keeping everything crossed. What gave me the heebeegeebees was that it took ages for the pregnant indication to come up, I don't know if that's normal for digital pregnancy tests. I used a standard line test last time I was pg, and a really strong blue line appeared the second the pee hit the stick. That always reassured me, the thought that there was tons of pregnancy hormones to give such a strong positive result. I might have to go and buy an old fashioned test tomorrow, mind you, I'm feeling so sick that I'm hoping it's a good sign.

[RealityGap]

HeadFairy,

the digial pregnancy tests always take ages to come up no matter "pregnant" you are. And it isn't worth even taking the stick out and looking at it as it can be faint again with a strong positive

The symptoms all point towards things looking good - hope it works out for you

wishing BFP for everyone looking for them x

[HeadFairy]

Thanks for that realitygap... that's reassured me a lot. Bleeding has stopped again too, still keeping everything crossed though...

Good luck to all those waiting for their bfps!

[hopefulnicci]

Headfairy, i've been reading your posts with gr8 interest. Congratulations with ur bfp! wondered if you could tell me a little more about the pattern of your bleeding. i was convienced i was pregnant and 2 days ago although i started spotting mainly on wiping i got a bfp on a FRER. Problemis i've continued to bleed, still not enough to fill a tampon, but now hpt appears only v faint second line, husband says bfn. blood now red, what colour was ur bleeding and how long did it last, sorry for all the questions, just clutching at straws, i'm currently 11 dpo. (confused) x