Clearblue Digital

[AngelasRashes]

First time poster. I’m (hopefully) 6 weeks with my second baby, and I’ve been driving myself mad testing with Clearblue Digitals just to see the weeks indicator change from 2-3 to 3+ weeks (which it hasn’t yet). Google threw up several older threads on MN about the same thing.
I’ve convinced myself I’ve had a MMC as the numbers aren’t rising. Today I had a look at Clearblue’s own website and saw this graph. So look at all the samples for bHCG between say 1100 and 8000- about half of those were coming up as being 2-3 weeks and half as 3+. So my HCG could be as high as 8000 and there’s a good chance it would still say 2-3. The company say there is “virtually no overlap” between 2-3 and 3+ but that’s rubbish. I mean, the y axis is logarithmic as well so the true amount of overlap is huge. Add to that the huge variation in what’s a normal HCG and I have no idea how the company can say the test is 97-99% accurate.
Anyway, I hope I’ve interpreted this correctly and I hope it helps someone who was panicking like me. Any mathematicians, have I understood this correctly? Thanks.

These tests are notorious for stressing people out,they just aren't very accurate. I've seen many posters say their result never got past 2-3 but had a successful pregnancy.

Is there any reason you're anxious about MMC? If so, perhaps speak to GP and ask for bloods, but they're unlikely to perform them without a clinical indication.

Otherwise try to step away from the tests. Perhaps (if you have the money) book and early private scan to check all is as it should be if you'd find that reassuring.

Good luck

Also you'll have got a response from a customer service bod, rather than a scientist/mathematician. Your interpretation is correct and there is both significant overlap and significant variation in bHCG levels across 'normal' pregnancies.

I never counted on the clearblue prediction in their weeks.

Try not to stress, if really worried maybe ask for a blood count, that’s the only accurate reading for HCG rising.

Xxx

Thanks for your replies. Katniss I think I’m just anxious about miscarriage in general as I’m 40 and was very lucky to have a straightforward pregnancy at 39 with my son, so something has to go wrong this time.
I had an early scan earlier this evening, there was nothing to see except thickening of the endometrium. No gestational sac even. I’m pretty sure of my dates but usually ovulate day 19/20, I’m 24 dpo. Maybe it’s just too soon, late ovulation and late implantation. No free fluid, ovaries/adnexae look normal etc. Going back for another scan in 3 weeks. Fingers crossed it’s just too early to see anything...

Ah it's just so hard isn't it. If you had a straightforward pregnancy last time, fingers crossed all will be well this time.

Thank you.