Advice on HCG levels in week 4 please?

[Miller2021]

Hello all,

Ttc my first and this is the first month I've had a positive, so forgive my ignorance but I need some advice please!

My period was due Tuesday so took a cheap (Amazon-bought - you know the ones) pregnancy test and it gave a very faint line. Followed up with Clearblue early result test, which confirmed positive result. Did the same yesterday, same faint result. Same today - the strength of the line has not changed at all.

No bleeding yet, no significant cramps (occasional steady, low ache but nothing too concerning) - but shouldn't I expect the test line to have become stronger by now?

Thanks in advance for your help, I am really clueless - I don't think I'd ever even seen a positive test in real life before this week!

First of all congrats.
I would stop testing, you have your positive result so try to relax and enjoy the moment.
If your wanting to test wait afew days and do it, it is very early. But unless you have any bleeding etc your very much pregnant!

@Moonshine11

First of all congrats. I would stop testing, you have your positive result so try to relax and enjoy the moment. If your wanting to test wait afew days and do it, it is very early. But unless you have any bleeding etc your very much pregnant!

This is a very, very sensible suggestion, and it's exactly what I would say to someone else in this position! Thank you. I may have to ask my husband to hide the pee sticks...

Yes get them hid!
I was the exact same mind in my first pregnancy and I found it caused unnecessary stress and anxiety!
Enjoy the moment and hope all goes well!

Congratulations @Miller2021 I've seen that cheapies sometimes take longer to progress than say a frer, even if they're 10miu the lines aren't always as clear as on a frer so could be why you're not seeing much of a difference. Stopping to test is also a good suggestion 🤗

Hello @Miller2021 congratulations!!!!! I am in the exact same position but have fallen into a black hole of peeing on a stick everyday. Line very much still there but it's not as dark as I'd like and this morning I've convinced myself it's not progressed. I should be around 4 weeks too but who knows - maybe we implanted later and that's why lines aren't as dark as we would like?

I think we need to listen to everyone and relax but easier said than done. I have had my hcg levels checked today as went Tuesday and they were on the lower side so fingers crossed mine are up but I almost wish I didn't have the option for bloods as feel like I would be enjoying new pregnant vibes if it weren't for knowing that my levels were low 😩 we cannot win!!!!!

Keep me posted on how you are getting on. I also have low cramps plus tender boobs and today a headache but I think I've created that myself stressing 🙈🙈🙈

@Lolajames Same symptoms here - tender breasts on & off, terrible headache yesterday and felt really sleepy (but that could be due to lack of caffeine!), low cramps occasionally... Same as you though, I also convinced myself it was a CP this morning and told husband not to get his hopes up. I'm sorry you're going through this stress too, but it does help to hear I'm not as weird as I thought I was!

I'm not going for the bloods option, or at least not yet - if I'm still testing positive early next week I'll consult my GP and go from there.

Going to avoid testing now for as long as I can bear it. Good luck!

@choccrumpet Thank you - that's reassuring to hear, I kind of assumed the cheapies might be less reliable but I didn't know this.

If you’re going to carry on testing (like me) then test every 48 hours, with the same brand, same time of day. I initially tested every day with Amazon tests and there was hardly a difference and I worked myself into a frenzy. Every other day you can see a clear transition in darkness!

There’ll be a lot of people on here saying “stop testing! A test won’t indicate the outcome of a pregnancy!” But for me it did - I’ve had 3 very early losses and each time my tests got lighter or never got dark…I trust my own instincts.

@mamaatthegym Thank you - I appreciate the advice. I didn't test today and haven't felt any more or less anxious really, but I think I'll save any further tests until I have concerns, otherwise I'll end up spending a fortune on them!