Line not getting darker anymore

[GusleBusle]

Hi all,

I am aware I need to stop POAS and I know that is what I am going to be told but I can’t seem to stop. After previous MC and chemical, I seem to be more anxious than ever after getting my BFP.

So I have been obsessively poas since I found out at 3 weeks + 5, I’m now 5 weeks + 2 so still very early but my tests stopped getting darker after around 4 weeks + 2 and now they just are varying levels of darkness with no progress.

I have looked at other people’s online and it seems to usually have progression but mine just vary so much eventhough it’s all FMU, about the same time... same test etc. (Except the days I double tested)

Is this normal? Is anyone else a crazy POAS person and has had similar?

I know I need to stop testing but I’m more obsessed with testing now they aren’t darkening.

The only tests I've found to be reliable when looking for line progression are the FRERs. I think these just look like you've reached the limit of the tests sensitivity so that's why it's not getting any stronger.

Try to stop testing now, you'll drive yourself crazy (but I totally understand why you do it.)

Please don’t do this to yourself! I am one to talk as I done it constantly as my lines didn’t get darker however I am now 32 + 3 with a baby boy and had a healthy pregnancy so far.

Step away from the tests!

Those tests are only designed to detect if the pregnancy hormone is present, not how much there is. They look like really strong positives.

Keep taking tests won't tell you whether or not your pregnancy is viable, unfortunately only time will tell. I know it's really hard but you are making yourself even more anxious. I too am pregnant after miscarriage so I completely understand your anxiety.

I know everyone is right, I had initially planned on not testing anymore with me making that vow to myself yesterday... however this morning when I saw DS didn’t wake me up until gone 8, my brain told me that my FMU would be stronger and full of hormones due to the lay in and would for sure be my darkest line yet.
It was only after I returned with my test looking identical to every other test for the last week that I remembered that the clocks had gone back and I had not been holding my wee for much longer that any other day .

Right tomorrow I shall not test regardless of how much extra sleep I think I’ve had.

The anxiety is horrible though.. DP thinks I’m cursing myself by being so anxious so something bad is more likely to happen.
I have explained I’m not sure pregnancy works like that and not being able to help or control what is going to happen is the reason I’m so anxious anyway. If his theory was correct and I was capable of willing this pregnancy with my thoughts in some way I obviously wouldn’t be as worried .

100% stop testing!! I did exactly the same thing and when the line was fainter I had a major panic. I booked an early scan for the next day and everything was fine. That scan was worth every penny though just to stop the anxiety!

Thanks for all the advice on this I just wanted to post an update Incase anyone stumbles across this thread in future.

My tests never did get much darker and I never experienced the joy of the test line stealing all the dye from the control line.

The line did actually start getting slightly lighter at around 7 weeks but I had a scan booked anyway for a couple of days after and baby is fine... measuring a day ahead of my dates with a strong heartbeat and all looks good.

So worrying about the line strength IS a waste of stress and money. I just wanted to offer some reassurance as I found some of these type threads when I was worrying and they all seemed to end in miscarriage or no update, so I thought I’d update this one

I'm really glad your scan went well.

I was the same as you and my lines started getting FAINTER at about 6 weeks (when my morning sickness really ramped up.) after some googling it appears this actually happens when your HCG gets super high, your urine is ultimately TOO concentrated to come out on tests! Apparently if you dilute your urine with the same about of water you’ll see a much stronger line. This is called the Hook Effect. I never tested it- I put down the tests and relaxed in the end but I too had a scan on Tuesday at 7+1 and lovely strong heartbeat.

Congrats!

I'm really glad you had a positive outcome, and I hope it gives you some peace of mind

I barely get a line on these tests
Not sure if that’s a worrying thing
It’s pretty strong on the FRERs tho
Pictures taken mon and yday

I created an account just to say thank you, even though so many years have passed. You have given me hope at a time when I’m losing my mind going through the same thing during the same phase 12-14dpt). I hope everything went well with you and your little baby.

@VictoriaKats I can’t get my old username back but I didn’t want to ignore as I know you can drive yourself mad in the early stages especially. The lines that never got darker is now my 5 year old son and all was well, very healthy pregnancy and the best birth out of all of my three. Don’t lose hope, tests won’t always get darker it seems but that doesn’t always mean the worst. Sending you all the positive energy ❤️