Worried about lack of line progression

[DawnLaura]

I got my BFP at 10dpo, I'm now 13dpo and would have expected the lines to get a bit stronger by now, but they all look the same.

Should I be worried? My last BFP turned into a chemical so I'm terrified of that happening again.

My last BFP turned into a chemical too so I know how you feel. I think it's possible this could be a chemical but it might not be too! Stay positive and remember that even if it is a chemical, you can definitely get pregnant. That's a real positive. Our time will come. Fingers crossed for this one being a sticky bean.

@GanderousGoose Thank you. I really hope it isn't another chemical, I'd be devastated. Just gonna hope I don't start bleeding and will test in another week - would definitely see a stronger line then if it's viable.

Does anyone else have some positive stories of their line progression looking like this and going on to have viable pregnancies? I need some hope right now. 😥

Bump, anybody? :(

@DawnLaura I've had 2 chemicals and tests over days not getting darker was what I was seeing. I can't say that's definitely the case for you but it's a possibility. It's just not fair ☹️ crossing my fingers for you!

@2020mission Thank you for replying. I took an IC this evening and the line does appear to be getting a bit darker, although not quite as dark as I'd expect for 15dpo. Still no bleeding or anything so I'm trying to stay positive. Gonna try and get some FRERs tomorrow so I can compare to the previous lines as its been a few days now since I last tested with those so should see a noticeable difference and if not then I'll presume it's a chemical.

Hi @DawnLaura I had faint FRER at 14dpo but my hcg was tested and was fine. If you want reassurance you could get the CB digital with weeks indicator which will give you more idea about your hcg. Best of luck x

@Janefx40 Thank you, that's given me a bit of hope. Will pick up a CB digital tomorrow. 😊

Wishing you all the best

My lines didn't get as dark as they did for my first pregnancy....they have the dates on rather than dpo as that was ironically a month that I wasn't tracking!

Thanks for the replies.

Yesterday I did another FRER and a CB digital. The FRER was definitely a bit darker and the CB digital was positive, so I was feeling incredibly hopeful yesterday.

And then today I've started bleeding.

I'm devastated. My DP keeps trying to say it might just be a little bit of spotting, as it is only a bit at the moment. But I suspect by tomorrow it'll be heavier. I took a FRER tonight to see if the line has gotten lighter but it was about the same as yesterday, although maybe just too early for it to have gotten lighter.

I just feel gutted.

Aww @DawnLaura so sorry this is happening to you - I've been there twice and it's just horrible! Please try to keep positive and remember you got that BFP and you can get here again 💕 there's nothing more you could have done.

@DawnLaura so sorry for what you are going through . How are you this morning?

@2020mission @Bizawit Thank you both for your comments.

I'm now just extremely confused. I'm literally currently sitting in an M&S toilets having just taken another test. I'll attach a pic. It's the darkest it's been. The bleeding has now turned to brown, like old blood. Am I not having a chemical?! This emotional roller-coaster is too much 🤦🏻‍♀️ but I have a little bit of hope again!

What do you guys think from the test?

@DawnLaura that line is much stronger, but the bleeding is a puzzler! Try to keep positive and try another test in a few days to see if it's even stronger. I think bleeding can happen in pregnancies and can be normal. Personally they have always lead to early miscarriage for me but I never saw lines getting stronger when bleeding, it was always fainter. Fingers crossed for you

@DawnLaura how confusing! I did have bleeding but mine was later - at 9 weeks. I'm sorry not to have the answer for you. The time between having the bleeding and the subsequent scan was hell for me so I completely understand how helpless and confused you must feel

@DawnLaura that test is very clear and it's good news that the bleeding has stopped. My fingers are crossed for you 🤞.

Thanks guys. The not knowing is the hardest part! Will test again in 2 days and see if the line has gotten darker then too.

If I was to call the docs, would they do a blood test for me? Or because I'm only 5+1, would they just say it's too early and to wait things out?

@DawnLaura that’s really great news both that the blood is turning brown and that the line is getting darker. I had bleeding like that- just a bit of spotting that turned brown - early on in both my pregnancies. Sadly one ended up in a miscarriage (but weeks later and not apparently connected to the bleeding) and the other resulted in my now 15 month old DD!

@DawnLaura I think they'd say wait it out since it's quite early but you could call just to run it by them for peace of mind. Since your tests are showing positive and not getting fainter I think a blood test would be unnecessary though.

@DawnLaura it's not too early for a blood test. IVF clinics would blood test you at 4 weeks. I'm not sure how likely a GP is to blood test you tho. Plus you need 2 blood tests 2 days apart because whilst you do need to have a reasonable level of hcg, the key information is whether it's rising sufficiently. The best information comes from a scan but they can't do that until 6 weeks because there's nothing to see.

I know it's tough (believe me) but the sad truth is that you just have to wait and see. Bleeding can mean nothing or can mean everything. As others have said I know people who have bled and had healthy babies as well as those for whom it meant miscarriage.

Btw the CB digitals I recommended were the ones with "weeks indicator". They don't just say pregnant but also say 1-2 weeks, 2-3 or 3+ so you can track your progression a bit x

Ps they mean weeks from ovulation rather than LMP so 1-2 weeks is 3-4 weeks pregnant etc

@Bizawit I'm definitely feeling more positive after today's test and the fact the blood has turned brown. I never had any sort of bleeding with my DS, so all I can personally relate bleeding to so far is a chemical - so it's super scary but trying to stay as positive as possible just now.

@2020mission Yeah I guess as long as the tests keep getting darker then there's nothing new a blood test could tell me. Someone on a TTC Facebook page I'm on told me that blood is 2 days ahead of urine results and therefore more accurate - but I wasn't sure if that was accurate info.

@Janefx40 Thank you. The CB digital that I took was one with the weeks indicator on it. It said 1-2. I have another one there that I'll take in a week or so time to check if it has changed.

One thing that worried me with the CB digi test was last time I had a chemical, the 'pregnant' result disappeared from the screen in less than 24 hours. The same thing has happened this time. On their website it says a positive result can stay on the screen for up to 6 months and a negative result disappears in 24 hours. So the fact that it has gone from the screen made me think chemical again. But perhaps it just depends on the tests.

Sorry for such a long reply! 🙈

@DawnLaura I'm sure all CB digitals only keep the result on screen for 24 hours? The one I used disappeared after 24 and I looked it up at the time.

@DawnLaura my clear blues definitely disappeared from the screen within 24 hours...I took photos and once 'pregnant' had disappeared I chucked them away!

I'm 39 weeks now! X

CB battery only lasts 24 hours regardless of negative or positive.

(Veteran of an ectopic, a mc, a chemical, and a perfect baby boy).

Erratic tests can mean everything or nothing, just like bleeding. You can spend the next months googling frantically but all that will tell is time. HCG beta tests are the same. Good luck. Xx