How quickly should lines darken? Is this another chemical pregnancy?

[stopeatingbiscuits]

So this is cycle 3. I have two children which were both (incredibly) conceived first month of trying. I am 34.

Cycle #1, v faint positive FRER on day of missed period, faded to nothing over next two days. Period came about 5 days late.

Cycle #2, faint positive on day of missed period, lines on IC got darker but never super dark. Got 1-2 weeks on CBD, then 2-3 weeks week or so later. Then one day did a test (when I would have been 6 weeks) and it was negative, miscarried the next day. Only bled for 3/4 days, only first day was even proper flow / red blood and then v little. When I was scanned he couldn't see anything at all (had scan morning of bleeding). Had another scan a week later which showed everything looked fine, no evidence of scarring in uterus (I had hysteroscopy after #2 for retained placenta and consultant was just being super careful to check. Also said lining etc looked fine).

Cycle #3, Positive in FRER (faint but clear, and not as faint as first positives on prev cycles) on Monday which I think was at most 10 dpo and could even have been 8/9 dpo) and continued over the course of this week. Getting darker but not super dark. Today is about when I would be expecting my period.

I have a real feeling this one isn't going to stick - feeling bit crampy this afternoon, but as I had that with other successful pregnancies as well as early miscarriage I am trying not to read too much into it.

Pic is of two tests I did this morning on ICs. The thing that's weird is these tests seem to take ages to develop, ie until the background is clear. A line shows within couple minutes but it takes up to the ten mins for the background to go clear. The bottom one is taken at Ithink almost 10 mins. Has anyone else found this? When I used these ICs when I was pregnant with my sons I don't remember them taking so long to develop. I also took a CBD today which came up 1-2 weeks but also seemed to take a while (may just be me being TOTALLY neurotic). Though the FRER come up v quickly.

Has anyone had any experience with ICs taking ages to develop? Also should the lines be darker by now? I am going to go for blood test on Tuesday as the eyeballing dipsticks multiple times a day (please don't judge, I know I am mental but previous two cycles have freaked me out).

I read something about this recently that said that the tests can vary in dye amount so "getting darker" isn't reliable.

I know it doesn't help, but all you can do is wait and get a blood test.

Good luck!

Hi yes I read some something similar too actually. And something about the quality of IC tests having gone downhill in past few years in n this respect. You are right though I just have to sit it out

I got my bfp at 11dpo so line was really faint & also didn't become apparent until a couple of minutes after it had all settled..(i hadn't experienced that before because I'd never tested so early!). I'd also never used ICs before so questioned their accuracy..I tested every day for the next few days and they did appear sooner each time.
I hope the same is true for you this time and this LO sticks.. Fx :)

They are definitely coming up quicker than earlier in the week but it does take a while for the background to go white... I have everything crossed!

Hello, please let me know how you get on with your appointments, I have everything crossed for you.... And me.

I tested today and have faint lines but I don't know much about chemical pregnancies. I also did a CBD which shows 1-2 weeks, but going from my last period I would be around four weeks??

It's all so confusing x

Wishing everyone success and happiness

I think CBD 1-2 weeks means 1-2 weeks since you conceived, so if you ovulate around cd14 that would mean you are 4 weeks in doctor speak I think? Fingers super crossed for you!

They always take ages to go clear, but as time went on they got visible through the dye quicker if that makes sense.

Which cheapies are you using? Ive got the Amazon ones and tney are rubbish, One Step ones?

Loads of reviews say that they are not picking up BFPs for ages.

Yes, that does make sense and have so far had same - or visible through the dye quicker but still not super speedy or anything. Yes they are One Step ones....

By way of update, here is this morning's IC test. It is oddly done with second wee of the day, after about two hour gap since FMU. The FMU one wasn't as dark weirdly. In fact every morning I have done one of these recently, second wee has given darker result than the first I think.

That's what mine look like and I'm 5 weeks pregnant congratulations!

Thanks, though still super nervous. I have actually been feeling sick today and yesterday (had awful sickness with both sons but didn't start til 9 and 6 weeks with first and second respectively) but still going to be on the phone first thing in the morning for a blood test! Congrats to you too x

Hey biscuits, how did you get on with blood tests? Is this routine?

I've been to the doctors today hoping to get some sort of test or confirmation of possible pregnancy via urine or bloods sample, or perhaps early scan...but he just said, yes you're pregnant the midwife will be in touch?!?!?!? And that I do t need a follow up Scan for my ovarian cyst

Then the cyst scan people telephoned to book me in.

confused, excited, hopefull x

Hope everyone ok x

Hi - I went for blood test this morning and will have the second on Thursday and so hopefully will see numbers doubled. I see an obstetrician privately and so I paid for the blood tests privately too, though I am not sure what the drill is on the nhs - GP may be able to order blood test? I am 4+4 so super early, no point doing a scan until 6-7 weeks I think but depending on blood results will book one.

How far along are you?

Hey, going off last period I am 4+5.

Gp said no tests, just referral to MW.

So HCG yesterday was 318. Seems within normal range (I think yesterday was probably 16-18 DPO) but am so nervous for second set of results. Was hoping it would be higher.