One for the POAS addicts and future googlers.. to reassure myself this morning, I took a strip test at 9 weeks (ivf pregnancy after a loss, so am very anxious) using very concentrated urine. The test was positive but with a very faint line. I obviously panicked even though I saw a heartbeat two weeks ago.
I drank lots of water, waited a few hours and then tested again using a diluted sample; thankfully, a super dark line appeared immediately.
The hook effect, per Google, is where if there is too much HCG in your urine, it somehow interferes with the test resulting in a faint or even negative test. By diluting the sample, you get a stronger positive result.
So… POAS addicts - restrain yourselves, and please all keep your fingers crossed for me 