People commenting congratulations on a very faint could be positive / negative test?

[Monkeytoy]

I’m on a couple of mum groups on Facebook and always see people post photos of their pregnancy tests asking if people can see a second line. It’s either a very very faint line that could possibly be an evap line or a negative. The photo is also usually edited into black and white.

I am not blaming the poster, because when I was ttc I used to stare at tests wondering if the very faint line was a positive or not.

It just makes me cringe when people comment congratulations you’re going to be a mum! To a pregnancy test that looks pretty much negative. The poster ends up coming back a couple of days later to say it was negative as they’ve just come on their period. I feel bad that they must of got their hopes up from the numerous congratulations messages.

I’m probably just bored atm but just wondering what everyone else thinks about this?

Yes, not seen it on Facebook but a lot on Mumsnet.

I wish they would stop making those Clearblue blue dye tests that show a line even when your dog pisses on them.

Tbh I think that it is a strange thing to do in the first place, posting something like that for other people's opinions on whether they can see another line, or not. Just test at a later date. But yes, the congrats can seem rather cringey, but that is how it is I suppose.

I see it all the time on here. I stare and stare but I can't see the line. Then everybody piles on saying congratulations and I wonder what they are looking at.

Yes, followed by a dozen or more so chunks of plastic with the same line that isn't a line because the woman is testing at 6DPO.

Yes, I've been there with TTC, and yes, there might be a point to it when you have a pattern of chemical pregnancies, but it's a rather toxic culture in my opinion.

In fact, there's a massive difference in behaviour between the Pregnancy boards on MN and the TTC boards. The former will say "doesn't look right, test again in a couple of days" and the latter will go demented with congratulatory emojis (followed by the obligatory baby dust when the OP gets their period a week later).

@Clefable I got caught out on these when I was ttc again after my pregnancy loss. Blue line, albeit faint but it was negative! Felt like a cruel joke

I see it on here all the time. I used to say I thought it was negative, but if you do you get piled on. And of course, when their period arrives bang on time “it must have been a chemical pregnancy”. Instead of a negative test and normal period.

There are also the people who test from D1 post ovulation, and again hordes of others will say “looks like a faint line, Hun!” instead of “maybe wait to test if and when your period is late?”

I don’t bother opening those threads any more, if the people on them want to delude themselves that they are pregnant for two weeks of every month, that is up to them.

YANBU

These early tests have lead to a lot of heartbreak IMO

I see it on here all the time, everyone claiming they can see a line when there's nothing there. I guess they think they're being supportive but it's shitty imo.

I have taken MANY pregnancy tests and studied them intensely hoping to see something!! Have had very faint lines that became viable pregnancies and another which resulted in a chemical pregnancy (confirmed with blood tests) but I have NEVER had a false positive no matter how faint the line.
People posting online are likely in some sort of fertility woe, it can overtake every thought and feeling you have and they are probably just looking for a bit of hope.

The attached pics are for my pregnancy with DS2. The one in the bathroom has an incredibly faint line but I was able to make something out.

I wouldn't ever tell someone I could see a line if I couldn't.

@MorningOclock I have been there myself. After I lost twins at 12 weeks I obsessively took pregnancy tests from 7Dpo each month. I must of spent so much. I definitely do not blame the posters at all, I think a lot of us can relate to being there and praying it’s a positive. I just think saying congratulations you’re going to be a mum! Adds salt to the wound x

@Jamtartforme yes, so much heartbreak

Yeah it’s grim. When I see it on Mumsnet, and especially when I see it on Mumsnet but I can’t see a line, it feels like s deliberate act of spite/cruelty by the congratulating poster.

Not really the same but I did used to see it a lot and I was one of those posters who'd test very early. But the crazy thing is, there WAS always a line on my test but I was never pregnant
I've been sterilised and I still get positive pregnancy tests
But blood test is negative though my period never arrives
I'll upload some examples
Dr's have agreed there's a line as I've taken tests to my appointments but they can't find a reason for it

God yes!
I struggled with infertility and it made me bonkers but there is absolutely no point in testing early!

All it does is create more plastic to go into landfill, create more anxiety, break more hearts and make money for the manufacturers.

Wait until your period is late, then test!

@Hibiscrubbed I commented on one of these posts on fb and said “I can’t see a line, so I’d say negative but that’s not saying you’re not pregnant - maybe re test in 2 days” and had a few people comment saying that I’m being rude saying she wasn’t pregnant. She wrote back to my comment the day after saying she’s come on her period so much of been negative. I stopped commenting after that

Probably was the reason it made me think of starting this thread

@Highlyflavouredgravy Testing early is the biggest stress but for some reason we still do it to ourselves. It’s like, I KNOW my 6dpo test will say negative but I can’t help but test. I hope I learn from my mistakes but I know I’ll probably end up early testing if I ever am brave enough to ttc again.

I just think congratulations on a very clearly negative test is so hurtful

I’m glad these early tests did not exist when I was ttc 30 years ago.

People get obsessed on these threads - you either have to buy into it or step away

The combination of new TTCers and those who have been trying for a long time isn't ideal either

It amazes me that people test so early. I was given a blood test in hospital at 10DPO which was negative. Dd is now 16. If a blood test can't pick it up at 10DPO then how people think a pee stick will pick it up at less dpo is beyond me. The amount of tests people do, some on the same day, baffles me too. So much money and waste for what is essentially a maybe if it's before your period is due.

It happens all the time on here, and anyone not joining in the “Yay! congratulations!!” (because it’s clearly negative) are instructed to “be kind” 🤦‍♀️
What’s kind about giving some anxious woman false hope?

@JustACountryMusicGirlInCowboyBoots You are right in what you are saying but for me my loss triggered me and I became obsessed with getting pregnant once I was able too. I took many pregnancy tests early. It does make you more anxious but it’s almost like an itch you need to scratch

@Hellsbellsandspidersankles I commented about this above as well but I got told I was rude for saying a test looked negative but to re try again in 2 days because a negative doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not pregnant, just maybe too early for hcg and had a few comments making me feel bad

I was right as the poster responded saying she came on her period but I just think the false hope it gives an already on edge woman who is hoping she is pregnant is heartbreaking when it turns out to be negative

Having lost my first pregnancy at 11 weeks, I now find the concept of congratulating someone on their pregnancy quite odd. Pregnancy does not equal being a mum or having a baby.