Advice on early positives and One Step tests

[JennyTig]

Hello Everyone, conception can be a lonely place and it's nice to be part of a community like this, especially being a bit older (43).

So, two days ago (10dpo) I had a very very faint positive and then it was slightly darker yesterday (11dpo), and hasn't progressed today (12dpo - same result on two One Step tests at the same time, just one pictured)

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I've done some reading online and I've seen that

1. HCG increases significantly every 48hrs, so a daily increase might not be visible on the sticks.

1. Lots of talk about One Steps being awful for line progression.

1. Also a fair bit of talk about One Step tests having false positives..

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My questions are really related to the points above.

If anyone has experienced poor line progression, or false positives on One Step tests?

And also if anyone has had daily tests that look the same early on but increased when testing every two days instead?

My rational brain feels like it knows the answers to these questions but my anxiety after an early loss previously has me feeling anything but rational!

I felt like real life experiences might be helpful.

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I also have a FRER and CB Early Digital on the way so can update on those when they arrive.

Final note: I don't know how clear the 10dpo test will show up when uploading here, but promise it is there.

HCG doubles every 48-72 hrs in the beginning. So imagine it starts at 2, two days later it's only at 4, another 2 days it's at 8, another two or three it's at 16. It's not fair to compare every day because the movement will be so slight.

It'll so drive you insane! You are pregnant, congratulations

Wait 48hrs, test once more, don't test again! Home pregnancy tests were not designed to show progression, they are a yes/no indicator. I know it's hard but you will drive yourself insane otherwise, and test progression doesn't tell you if a pregnancy is going to work out or not either x

I use these tests and have found them reliable (without false positives) but agree that they’re poor for progression tracking in terms of a clear emboldening line.

I’m on my third pregnancy (it’s lasted the longest so far) and for this one I didn’t have onestep to hand so was using boots strip tests. Looking at them day to day, it was unclear if they were progressing “well”, but then I had two hcg blood tests two days apart which showed I nearly tripled in that time, which from the tests wasn’t exactly obvious.

i know people like to say that line progression isn’t a thing, but as I experienced an ectopic pregnancy, I advocate that it serves as an initial idea that, ok, my line is getting darker over several days (or not). But totally agree that it gives you no quantifiable evidence, and that it cannot affect the end result. But it does give some (valuable) information.

If it were me, I’d try test every two days, and that way you’ll see a (on one step) very gradual progression.

congratulations on your pregnancy and good luck! I’ll turn 40 during this pregnancy if it sticks, so I get the additional nerves that come with age.

Thank you @BudgetBuster and @Moosey898 I know I should know this, but it feels so much easier to digest when it's someone else telling me rather than listening to myself.

@Nosejug thank you for sharing your experience with these tests, certain helps to hear that. In particular how the line intensity was so different compared to actual blood draw testing. Agree that there is some use in it, but nowhere near as accurate as getting draws for HCG. Sorry to hear you went through an ectopic previously and sending you a virtual hug, but mostly positive (no pun intended) thoughts and good luck for your current pregnancy!

I've referred online to the midwifery service so think I might advocate for blood testing, but more for progesterone as I understand that can be a factor as we get a little older.. not that I feel in any way old!

I managed to find a back of the cupboard premom and after a 3 hour hold I had a positive there too - so can remove false positive from my made-up list of concerns.

Going to just try and enjoy it and not overthink every tiny thing.

I really appreciate all of you replying. Very much was driving myself crazy and firmly stepped back from the ledge now ❤️

Oh don't worry - I totally understand how hard it is! Fingers crossed everything goes well with your pregnancy x