Clearblue not progressing - so stressed

[DappledOliveGroves]

I know no-one has any definitive answers and I've spent all morning searching the internet for stories but if anyone is in the same boat or has words of wisdom I'd appreciate it.

I'm 5+4 today. Got my first positive pregnancy test on 29/01 at 2+6. Don't know the date of ovulation but had intercourse on 15th, 17th and 19th January. Date of last period was 9 January. My cycles are 24 days.

I had a MMC last year so am very paranoid and anxious about this pregnancy. I had good line progression on FRER and took a clearblue digital on 5th February and got a 'Pregnant: 2-3 weeks'. I did another clearblue last Friday and it was still on 2-3 weeks. I've done another with FMU today and it's still 2-3 weeks. I've spent the morning in tears, convincing myself that it's another MMC. Have had minimal spotting on and off since I got pregnant. The EPU won't see me until I'm over 6 weeks. I have a private scan booked for next Tuesday which feels like a lifetime away.

Symptoms wise I'm still exhausted, very sore breasts and some nausea.

I know it's not an exact science but why wouldn't there be progression to 3+ unless it's bad news? Has anyone not got 3+ until much later than expected and did things turn out ok? I appreciate no-one has a crystal ball but any information much appreciated.

Hey OP, I can understand you stressing about this due to past issues. However I’ve seen loads of women in here saying they never got to 3+ on the clear blue and everything was fine.

You’ve got your positive which is amazing - congrats ! Best advice I can give is to put the tests away, believe in yourself and wait a few weeks and book yourself in for a private reassurance scan.

Wishing you well

Thank you @Analysethat

I just wish I knew what was happening. My anxiety is through the roof, I wish I lived in a country where you see an OBGYN and have blood tests to see if your hormone levels are rising as a standard thing in any pregnancy. Whilst the outcome may not change, at least I wouldn't feel in complete limbo.

Some women never see the 3+ and have healthy pregnancies. Don't fall in to the test progression trap. Home tests are not able to indicate pregnancy viability, even early scans are no guarantee. I know how worrying pregnancy is after miscarriage, I'm doing it too. All you can do is take each day as it comes and celebrate each milestone you pass. The worry does get overtaken by excitement eventually, I've done this a few times now.

Good luck

Hey, I’m about the same as you - 5+6 today. I haven’t taken a clear blue with weeks indicator this time for this reason as I know it will mark me worry. From what I hear they are not always reliable, and everyone’s level of hcg is different, and it depends on how hydrated you were when you tested too.

I have only ever had a mc at 9 weeks and another very early one at around 3/4 weeks. With the 9 weeks one (my first pregnancy) I started bleeding at around 7+4, started brown then turned bright red as time went on. Even after I miscarried I still got 3+ on a clear blue, so I don’t think there’s much point doing them tbh.

If you’re not bleeding heavily I would say don’t worry and just wait for your scan, I know all too well that it’s easier said than done! But definitely stop testing and trust your body. Xxx

Just to say also - what I mean by ‘I’ve only ever’ is that I’m yet to have a successful pregnancy, so I totally understand your anxiety. I drive myself mad googling every day xx

I didn't get 3+ till I was 5wk4 days and now 18 weeks so it wasn't a bad sign. And I tested the night before and got 2-3 so my level had only just gone upto the threshold for 3+.

Like others have said, some people never get 3+. They are the most stressful test in the world.

But I must have conceived, at the latest, on 19 January, which is 29 days ago. I have short, regular cycles. I just can't see why my HCG levels wouldn't have risen in almost 2 weeks since I did the first stupid clearblue test. I just want to cry.

I’ve honestly read so many stories of women who tested right up until their 12 week scans and never ever got a 3+.

The hcg range for a 2-3 is massive, and I’ve also read how lots of women stayed on 2-3 for weeks and not hitting 3+ until 6 weeks or beyond. But remember the few that never see that number.

Please don’t worry. I’ve been where you are after several losses and the anxiety never goes. You just have to try to enjoy your pregnancy. Otherwise you’ll look back and won’t have enjoyed any of it.

If, and it’s a big if, you really want that progression then stick to a test like frer and just look at the lines. Just be aware once they get to a certain point they won’t be able to go any darker.

Best advice though is to accept happily that right now you are pregnant, enjoy it and know that no amount of worrying or testing will change any outcome.

Congratulations and good luck for your scan next week!!!

I got a 3+ then it went back down to 2-3 over the next 2 day’s I took multiple tests and all fluctuated between 2-3 or 3+ was literally luck of the draw depending on when I took it. So I wouldn’t read in to the accuracy too much. I’m almost 15 weeks now and baby is super active on scans

You could of conceived a few days after you had sex. By scan dates the last time I'd has sex was the Sunday but didn't conceive till the Wednesday.

Thanks all. I know I may not have conceived on the day we had sex, but then I got a BFP only 8 days later so can't see how that would have happened if conception was much later?

Went for a walk at lunchtime with a friend so feel slightly calmer now.

Hi, can I ask how this turned out?

Laying here being kicked by my 28 week boy in my belly! I never got 3+ on a CB and gave up after I got 2-3 weeks constantly.

There are thousands of threads on their unreliability.

I understand your worries after a loss as I was the same but getting the 3+ changes nothing, right now you’re pregnant and it’s progressing, stay positive x

@RainbowHunter95 I'll let you know in due course! I have an early scan next week so fingers crossed 🤞

@Littlebee1990 thank you. Very much hoping I'm like you in that regard!

@DappledOliveGroves just be mindful that a heartbeat usually can’t be seen until 6-7 weeks. I had to have an early scan at 5-6 weeks due to medical reasons and it was the worst thing I did because there was no heartbeat and set my anxiety off. If you don’t need a scan for medical reasons I would strongly recommend waiting until you’re at least 6-7 weeks. X

(Forgot to say I thought I was 6+5 when I was only 5 weeks.. even though I knew my dates spot on so even if you think you’ll be 6-7 weeks just be mindful that you could be slightly earlier and there be no heartbeat yet x

@Littlebee1990 I'll be 6+3 for the scan - my last pregnancy (which ended in a MMC) had a heartbeat at a scan at the same gestation so hoping I can see one next week.

@DappledOliveGroves Hope all goes well ♥️

I had this same issue with the Clear Blue tests. I had one that said 4+ and then tested again the next week to say 2+. I went to the EPU in a panic and the midwife told me that she hates the CB tests because of their inaccuracy. All was well and I'm now 27+6. I know it's hard but try not to worry.

@RainbowHunter95 - to update thread, I miscarried at 8 weeks. Have a D&C booked for Wednesday to remove retained products.