Anxious about lines and no of weeks

[mandolinemom]

Heya! Found out I was pregnant a few days ago and have been over the moon but also super anxious….

My first day of last period was 08 May but my cycles were sooo messed up from Jan to May due to a period of mad stress in Nov-Dec 22 and have a history of PCOS since teenage. Prior to that, had a neat 35-36 day cycle. We tried on 27 May and that was about it due to some mad work schedules….so date of conception is known than a doubt.

The NHS UK website says I am 5 weeks today and the clear blue weeks indicator I took on 15 June said I was 1-2 weeks along, meaning 3-4 weeks otherwise. So I think it adds up, but just massively anxious as some other websites say I am
6 weeks along now.

My pregnancy symptoms are mad fatigue and a kind of woozy nausea in the morning which I wonder is because my sleep is a bit disturbed. I had spotting with darkish brown blood on 12 June with insanely tender boobs….that tenderness is getting a little better now. Some light back pain because trying to find a position to sleep that wont irritate my boobs, trap wind and be uncomfortable is a bit of a circus.

then today I stupidly did some cheap 99p tests from sainsburys called freedom to see the line get darker and saw all but the faintest of lines. Kicking myself for buying such cheap stuff to start with lol

Would really appreciate some advice….nobody in my circle been through this yet and my mom had a few MMs, so that just increases the stress. Thank you so much.

So,

You've had normal pregnancy symptoms following a positive test following unprotected sex in your fertile period.

You've had some spotting which is not unusual but not full-on bleeding.

At 5w (or nearly 6w) there won't be much a sonographer can see on the scan except ruling out ectopic which doesn't sound like a risk for you and you don't have any symptoms.

Using a pregnancy test to try to detect progress like thatis unreliable and not recommended.

I suggest you stop testing, make a self-referral or whatever you do in your area, and look after yourself- enough rest, nutritious food (check the NHS website for what to avoid) take your folic acid and vitamin D, do regular exercise and distract yourself. What will be will be and you can't change that by testing.

Thank you and I really appreciate the reply. I think my anxiety is spiralling a bit but I have now identified as something to take care of, the best I can and seek help if it goes out of hand. I have got my midwife appt for mid July and my scan for 7 August, so keeping fingers crossed all goes well. As we speak, nauseous and had the mildest of cramps…which I now also get if my bladder is full. Going to take it a day at a time and enjoy this gift :-)

Hi @mandolinemom, obviously every pregnancy is different but I thought you may find it helpful to see the photo of the ridiculous number of tests I took on the day I found out I was pregnant. Interesting to see how strong the results are on all tests except the Freedom one from Sainsbury’s. I think they need a higher level of hcg than the others do hence the lighter line.

Thank you :)

your not to dissimilar to my days - I ovulated on 25th May. Aldo pcos and last period 5th May.

i had really strong positives 15dpo on FR and did a cheapy that was completely blank - no hint of a line. So I really wouldn't trust them.

my advice would maybe be a 7 week scan (but try to hold out and not go to early) I am making sure I count from ovulation and not period due to the later date.
or request hcg blood tests so you can see if they are rising correctly.

this might give some peace of mind 😊

Hey OP, when I first found out I was pregnant I had the two faintest lines on sainsburys tests. I did a clear blue which gave me 1-2 weeks and I remember freaking out just as much as you have! Didn’t think that was enough along etc etc.

I’m now 14 weeks and all going well! Honestly don’t stress yourself taking multiple tests. I saw loads of threads on here which freaked me out soooo much with people testing every day. Just don’t do it! Try to relax and look after yourself :)

Thank you!

Recognise the anxiety - work out a plan with the support of health professionals.

The feelings will come, sometimes like a gentle wave, sometimes like a tsunami. You can notice them and let them past. Nothing bad will happen because you're not freaking out.

I didn't even know that people took more than one test. i've only done one and am assuming all fine as have symptoms and no bleeding. I really don't think it's helpful to keep testing, you've no reason to think anything is wrong so wait for the midwife and 12 week scan.

Hey darling. When I first found out (05/03/2023) I had initially used a 99p for 3 tiny strip test (literally looked like a covid test) and had the faintest tiniest line. It wasn't even a fully complete line! So being the anxious Annie I must have spent £100 on various different branded pregnancy tests, kept testing up until I had my first NHS scan on 20/04 where I was 11 weeks. I'd also had no symptoms to make me think I wasn't pregnant (faint spotting, assumed now to be implantation, extreme nausea, headaches, weird stomach feelings..) but I just wanted to put my mind at ease. It did put my mind at ease I guess but the most reassuring was seeing little Jelly Bean on the scan and the subsequent scans. I'm now 22+3 and have a healthy little boy cooking.
Honestly, don't worry about doing loads of tests. If it helps ease your mind, do it. x