This isn't good, is it?

[Alloveragain33]

Let me start by saying I know many have the opinion that 'a line is a line' and a line means your pregnant. But I've had a few chemicals and a late miscarriage so I'm a bit obsessed with HCG levels and POAS.

DP and I have been trying for this pregnancy for two years and we were elated to see the BFP at 10dpo, however it looks like things aren't progressing.

At 16dpo my line was lighter than 14dpo so I accepted it was another chemical. However, I tested again on 17dpo and the line was darker (a dye stealer!) so I got excited again.

Cut to this morning when the line is weak and crappy again. This line looks way too light for 18dpo.

Such a bloody rollercoaster.

I guess I just want to hear the harsh truth. This is another miscarriage isn't it?

(I know the numbers on the tests aren't written clearly but the tests are in order from 10 - 14 - 16 -17 -18 ).

Honestly they look normal to me. There's always variance because each test is different and impacted by the concentration of urine and time of day. Also tests are incomparable after a few hours because the dye dries, so the line looks a lot darker than it did initially.

Given your anxious (I would be too), I would def ask for a blood test to put your mind at rest.

Thanks for the reply @whatahun that is really helpful.

I may well call my GP. We're actually meant to be going on holiday tomorrow though (worst timing!) so I'm not sure if I'll be able to get in.

My advice would be to stop testing, it becomes obsessive, you are pregnant. Every test will look different because every amount of urine will contain a different amount of HCG and if your urine is more concentrated it will show darker. I'm sure you know all that and I completely get the obsession with POAS, especially after taking a while to conceive . I had to have IVF to conceive my baby and did a test early and it was positive and then the next day it was negative and I spent all day in bed sobbing. Official test day come round and it was a strong positive. He's 14 months now.
Taking more tests is not going to provide any more reassurance for you. I would wait it out and book yourself an early scan. I had a scan at 6 weeks 4 days and they could see a heart beat. Good luck! Those positives are definitely positives !

Honestly, those are all good strong lines. I've had four very early miscarriages before 6 weeks and one at 8 weeks. I never ever got lines like that with any of the early ones. I did with the 8 week one but my HCG went over 100,000 that time so HCG wasn't an indicator of the pregnancy failing that time. The other times I got lines like that were healthy pregnancies.

Stop peeing on sticks, they won't tell you anything at this stage. Book an early scan for when you're at least 30 DPO.

It's mainly about urine concentration so unless you tested at the same time every day and drank exactly the same amount it's not really comparable. I know you're anxious and I feel for you, i too had multiple miscarriages before my daughter was born, but I tested VERY positive for weeks after the event both times so it's just not relevant really. Get an 8 week scan booked, that's the only way you'll know for sure. Sending heaps of luck your way x

Thank you guys you're making me feel a bit more level-headed.
What will be will be.
Thankfully DP is very supportive.

I agree @Hevviie I had really positive tests with my late miscarriage and they obviously didn't mean anything. Ugh.

It's great you're going on holiday - ideally you're going somewhere lovely and sunny where you can't buy more tests 😂agree with the other comments, when you're back you won't be far off 6 weeks and can go for a scan

It's really hard not to read into everything but please remember these tests are not an indication of HCG concentration, simply whether it is present or not. I TORTURED myself and spent £50 on tests, convincing myself it was chemical and testing x3 a day...it wasn't, and I could have bought myself something lovely for £50

Urine concentration will definitely impact strength of line. They all look like strong, normal positives to me. The dip on day 16 is minor and resolves the next day.

Obviously no-one can promise you that everything is alright, but no red flags from those tests.

@whatahun it is somewhere lovely and sunny, so I have to be grateful for that! I'm going to enjoy myself, not think about the lines and see how it goes.

I do think I'll test next week, just to prepare myself. If the line has gone, at least I'll know what's coming.

I'm glad I posted this morning, I'm feeling a bit better with things and will keep this post updated for anyone who finds it.

I understand your anxiety as I had two miscarriages before having DD. I stopped testing when I got a dye stealer, but also had repeat HCG blood tests (48 hours apart) which was reassuring. They did it as I had some pretty bad lower right-sided pain and wanted to try and rule out an ectopic (turns out it was all fine and the pain was from the corpus luteum - it settled down after a few weeks). Not sure whether you have the option to get HCG done privately at all? It's obviously not a guarantee that everything will work out but it's a lot more accurate than looking at FRER lines every day. Really hope it all works out for you.

Please stop torturing yourself with sticks. I know it is really hard. I have done it too. You are not getting anything from them though. I hope you get in for a blood test, but I think the stick money is better off being diverted to an early scan.

They all look like strong positives to me. Enjoy your holiday and fingers crossed for a sticky bean 🤞

I completely understand your reasons for testing and I was the same. Testing was simultaneously the only thing that gave me reassurance but also sent me spiralling if they didn't seem like they were progressing, so much so I convinced myself twice that I was having a chemical with this pregnancy (I wasn't!).

I've never seen tests that strong with a chemical. Obviously no one can tell you the overall viability without scans/blood testing etc but I'd be quietly confident that it's not a chemical!