Positive FRER - Implantation Bleeding or Chemical?

[lonelily312]

Hi everyone!

New to the forum, although have been lurking for a wee while reading lots of helpful/reassuring posts. Hoping for more of the same now that I need some advice!

DH and I have been TTC for 3 cycles now. I came off pill after 17 years in October and fortunately cycle returned to normal pretty much straight away. After 2 months without success using an app to record AF/predict ovulation, we used CB Connected tests in January, which showed my LH surge on second test of the day on CD16 of 30 day cycle - cue lots of additional BD!

Fast forward to 10DPO (Monday) and I had some light spotting - pink/dark browny-red and some cramping. As this was 5 days before AF due and AF has been bang on time since coming off pill, I thought perhaps implantation bleeding? I also had nausea, breast tenderness and bloating/fullness in my abdomen.

On Wednesday evening (12DPO) excited by all these possible symptoms, I took a FRER and got a faint positive. Spotting continued this morning and another FRER test this afternoon gave another faint positive, same strength as yesterday.

However since about 2pm I have had worse cramping and this afternoon/evening bleeding is heavier than it has been (still not full AF level) and redder. No clots but starting to think things aren't looking good. AF would have been due tomorrow.

What were others experiences of implantation bleeding, if you had it? Is there still a chance this is what I'm experiencing? There is such mixed information online, i've been going round in circles all day.

I planned to wait until Sunday to take my next test (digital) - will this return as negative so soon if it turns out I have had a chemical or am I best to monitor and test again next week?

Advice and experiences greatly received!

Hey @lonelily312, sorry you're going through this. All I can say is that if it is a chemical bleeding will come on fully quite soon. I had chemical and started bleeding the morning after a faint positive and test was negative that morning so maybe test again in the morning. Best of luck and I hope it's not CP

Hiya, I would suggest continuing to test each morning with a FRER so you can monitor line progression. Bleeding can be normal or it could be AF, sorry you are going through a confusing time x

I have had 2 chemical pregnancies recently. I had faint positives around 12dpo with a bit of nausea and really heavy boobs but spotting also for 4 days and the line gradually got fainter. After 4 days of spotting I started getting bad cramps and bled heavily so I knew it was over for me.
I hope it's a different outcome for you. Keep testing to see what happens x

Thanks so much for all of your responses.

Unfortunately my cramping continued and bleeding got heavier overnight with visible clots. Took another FRER first thing this morning and my faint pink line is almost non-existent now so I think it's safe to say it's a chemical. So glad I had been on here reading so much over the last month as otherwise I may never have been aware of it due to timing, given AF was due today anyway.

Sorry to hear that, hope you're okay.
I had a chemical / early MC the cycle before I conceived my lovely daughter who is now 17 months old! I didnt have another period after it. They do say that you can be slightly more fertile straight after. 🤞 for you x