Lighter lines 5 weeks - should I be worried?

[ridl14]

I'm 5+2 today and took another test and the line has got fainter. I'm freaking out tbh, first pregnancy and from what I've seen online it looks really worrying. I have had a lot of exhaustion, really swollen and fairly sore boobs, feeling the heat a lot when I don't normally. Some nausea on Monday then stopped.

Photo 1: 4 weeks exactly
Photo 2: 4 weeks +2 (this line seems a lot darker)
Photo 3: today, 5+2. 2 tests of same brand

All tests taken first thing in the morning.

Would my GP even see me or look at these? I have a blood test due on the 12th. No bleeding at all and I have had the odd mild cramp over the last few weeks but not for very long.

Should I be worried?

I'd trust the Clearblue over the lines, and that matches your dates. I doubt you'd get seen by GP unless you have significant bleeding, so good you don't have that. Unfortunately it's just waiting to see! I stopped testing after 4 weeks - it just causes stress and doesn't change anything.

Thank you 🙏🏼 okay I'll try and relax in the absence of any bleeding. You're right, testing is probably not helpful! The waiting to see is so painful! Really appreciate your reply

I wonder if it could be hook effect @ridl14? I've never seen it myself, but give it a Google. It might apply?

Continuing testing will drive you crazy. Today you are pregnant; there's nothing you can do about tomorrow. But you are far more likely to end up with a baby than a miscarriage, even at this early stage.

Have a look at the Miscarriage Odds Reassurer whenever you feel worried. And all the best!

Why are you continuing to test?

The fact that you have 3+ is a great sign as hCg needs to be close to 3000 for this to show and at 16dpo you’d have very unlikely got this result. I understand your worries though! I’m also 5+2 and haven’t had 3+ yet so worrying.
Ive attached the hcg table for weeks indicator to ease your mind x

I got hook effect at around 6 weeks (I should have stopped testing but it’s an IVF pregnancy and my first and I’m full of anxiety). I didn’t know what it was but some ladies on the group told me about it. I drank 3 litres of water and did another test and the line was a dye stealer again. Stop testing now as it really does just make you worry more ☺️ If you’re anxious then an early scan about 8/9 weeks is good to help settle nerves. I had one at 7 weeks at IVF clinic and another at 9+4 and the 9+4 was amazing ☺️

Thank you yes I saw something about this online but thought it applied from later? But if it's a possibility it's definitely reassuring!

Thanks @Melusina123 ! That is reassuring but I was thinking this is a sign I'm in that minority percent. Think I may need to chill a bit though if other people aren't immediately worried. It does help getting a reality check!

@BingoMarieHeeler I know it's probably a stupid thing to do but I felt like how do I know I'm still pregnant, I thought seeing stronger lines would reassure me and it's done the opposite!

Thank you so much, I didn't realise it could happen so early! Okay yes you're right I think I just need to stop testing. I was hoping to get an early scan at almost 8 weeks as we're going away after that and it just feels insanely long to wait until 12 weeks then find out if there's a problem! I'm glad you found it reassuring, I'd heard mixed things about doing one too early but sounds like you did the right thing around 9 weeks!

@ridl14 Tbh the 7 week one was fine - saw the heartbeat and in the right place, it just didn’t look like a baby. Whereas the 9.5 week one did ☺️ It’s really hard not to worry but just take each day as it comes, if you have no bleeding etc then it’s probably fine. And there’s nothing you can do either way (which is really difficult!) - I kind of found peace in the fact if it didn’t stick then it would be because the baby wasn’t healthy. Might not help you but it kind of helped me just to accept that what will be will be. The first scan I cried my eyes out with relief of seeing the little heartbeat though 🥹