Line progression

[LovingMamaWifeTeacher]

Hi all,
I have scoured Mumsnet for similar situations and just wanted to get people’s thoughts.
Following two chemicals earlier this year, I was blessed with a BFP on Xmas Eve. I wasn’t tracking ovulation so I’m having to work off estimated ovulation and my cycle dates. I suspect being about 14 dpo but could be anything between 12-17.
Anyway, my ClearBlue early detections are progressing well but I feel like One Step has stalled. I’m also still on 1-2 weeks with ClearBlue digital when I’m 4+4 based on LMP.
Despite living in the UK, my GP has sent me for BETA HCG. Initial blood work has come back with a result of 99. I am booked in for a second test tomorrow and know I need to see this doubling.

Any positive stories? Any examples of lines not progressing at the expected rate but HCG rising as expected?

NB. I know some may say step away from the test. With my first, I tested twice and then celebrated being pregnant. Sadly, following loss, it really isn’t that straight forward.

Most recent ClearBlue attached for reference

OP, tests are not made to show progression so please do not rely on this.

I know it is stressful but there is nothing you can do but wait/

I hope all goes well for you.

I know it's hard but honestly, wait for your bloods. It is great you've got a supportive GP doing bloods. Also keep in mind I think it's now like 66% rise rather than 100% rise as well that they look for. Fingers crossed for you - I know exactly what early pregnancy after loss is like and it's really difficult but as the Pp has said, tests are not made to show progression, just a "yes/no" answer and continuously testing can make it exponentially more stressful for yourself x

I would stop testing and just see what happens tomorrow. I know it's stressful after previous loses and anxiety is high but whatever happens happens and stressing yourself more with line progression is not helping.

I’m cautious about reading too much into line progression after my experiences! I had fading lines and low hcg with what turned out to be a successful pregnancy and then with another had strong lines that got really dark but when I had bloods my hcg was barely going up and it turned out to be ectopic!

I know it's hard and have fallen into the trap myself. But try to tell yourself that waiting on bloods is the only solid factual information you are going to have. We all know that tests are not designed to show progress.. so many things can influence the composition of your urine and, in turn, your test. So what will obsessing over tests do? Make you stress. And what can you do if they're not getting darker? Nothing unfortunately. I hope that doesn't sound harsh, I just hope you can see that all this testing doesn't serve you. I wish someone had knocked some sense into me and made me stop obsessing over them. As it turned out, one pregnancy where they progressed nicely was a complex molar pregnancy loss. And another where they seemed slow to darken is sitting here beside me. Good luck with the bloods, sending you all the good vibes x

@UpUpUpU I know, I honestly do. I get I’m not making things easier for myself. I guess now it was just wanting to see someone who has had a similar start with a positive outcome

@Moosey898 thank you. Oh really? When did the guidance around the 66% rise come about? So if double was 100% and I’d be expecting a 198 or above, 130ish would now be ok? My Maths might be shocking! X

@Olika - I get this. Thanks for your comment

@undertheImpression this is actually a really reassuring comment, thank you! Sorry you’ve had to navigate experiencing an ectopic x

@remaininghopeful23 - it doesn’t sound harsh, thank you for your honest response. Your story, whilst sad, was also reassuring. I’m sorry that you have also had to navigate loss x

I had two chemicals directly before my successful pregnancy so I completely get how you're feeling, but honestly please put the tests down, line progression is no real indicator of how the pregnancy is going. I drove myself crazy testing every day for the first 7 weeks (which I know is mental), but I eventually put a stop to it and used all of my tests up at once and then didn't let myself buy any more. Wishing you a happy and healthy pregnancy OP xx

Just a little update from people who come back to this thread - the progression on one step means nothing. I never quite got a dye stealer and obsessed over whether the lines were darkening.
Say hello to my little bubs at 12+1 ❤️

@LovingMamaWifeTeacherhello to your little one! I’m here for the same reason you were, scouring stories with one step, ttc after loss (and 3+ years trying). My tests are slowly progressing but certainly not doubling. Really nice to see your reassuring story.

@Nosejug so pleased it’s reassuring. If you can, ask for HCG bloods from the doctor. Really helped me to know we were navigating those early days x

@LovingMamaWifeTeacher i came to comment but then realised this post is from December! glad things are progessing nicely for you, and a note to anyone else with the same problem, its that bloody brand of test the progression is horrible on them! had the same issue myself, switched to boots own brand and the difference was insane! will never buy them again 😂

Hehe thanks @Daniki(even though that wasn’t directly for me, it directly comforts me). I spoke to epu since the doctor flagged me for ectopic but she agreed with me that without symptoms there’s no reason to believe it. I asked permission not to worry about line progression any which was and she was like, absolutely. Too many variables, and as long as it’s not getting lighter. I’m going to trrryyy step away from testing.

@Nosejugplease do! I had my own head tortured over line progession I felt it was staying the same and taking a while to get darker, then I had my BETA at 16dpo and it was really low-convinced I was having a chemical/eptopic and my clinic told me to be prepared it could go that direction. Repeated my beta 4 days later it had tripled and I’ll be 12 weeks on wed and have been scanned 4 times 🥰 (I attend the miscarriage clinic they scan weekly if you want). It’s out of your hands now, so try not to worry ❤️

@Daniki i have a scan at epu in just over two weeks. Ive had two failed ivf transfers and one spontaneous pregnancy that ended in MMC at 10 weeks so they said to call them next time i got pregnant. Just want to try enjoy it rather than over worrying, as I've so longed for this chance again! I'll do my best to at least not test daily. I bet you're looking forward to the 12 week milestone being reached! Congratulations! :)

@Nosejuggod that’s tough, is this an IVF pregnancy or natural? Mine is an IVF aswell, it makes more traumatic I find! Yes I think that best, in the end I reduced it to testing every third day and that defo calmed me down a bit as would be a bit darker. If you’re feeling good and no pain or bleeding then try and enjoy it(as hard as that is) yes I can’t wait for Wednesday to feel more relaxed, iv booked a private scan for Friday as my booking app isn’t until the 28th and didn’t want to wait that long! Hopefully all will be fine and I can tell people 🤣🙏

@Daniki we were two days from putting down an enormous payment on the next round of treatment when I got my positive...! I travelled down to london for my fertile window where my partner is currently working. Exceptionally glad I did! I'm not letting my mind go further than the scan date for now. If I get to see a flicker then wowee I'll let myself get a little excited. Goodness I'd be bursting to tell people if I were you! It must have been so anxiety inducing after that scare early on, I bhope its been smooth sailing otherwise :) I have told my immediate fam but only bc I want them to know if there's bad news too. Couldn't handle telling anyone else!

@Nosejugomg that’s amazing! 🤩 truly hope it works out for you. That’s what iv been doing just kind of living week to week not letting myself get too excited or ahead of myself just incase, but yes dying tk tell people! We told our friends and family after our first get what we had done and it worked and I just felt so stupid when I miscarried (god knows why) that this time I only told my closest friend as she lives beside me and it’s easier to talk to her about it than my husband as he’s also trying not to think about it incase something happens 🙈🤣

@Daniki hah my outlet has been Mumsnet, I mean wayyy too much time scouring threads as though I’m going to find somewhere on here the answer to whether my pregnancy will keep developing or not. In a way it’s helpful to allow yourself to experience different emotions on different threads. At least a lot of folk here have been through similar. People I know irl just miss the mark in terms of being helpfully supportive. I’d love to have a best pal next door to tell all to! I’m courting a neighbour a few doors down but I’m so shy it will take years to be pals haha.

@Nosejugi know! God iv spent the same amount of time scouring the posts too, but id try and avoid that too as they can make you feel worse! Iv had to mute a lot of pages and stuff i follow and on TikTok mute the words miscarriage and loss as every second bloody video was about a miscarriage and it was driving me over the edge 🤣

Hah I had to get rid of tiktok because it was full of babies being cute! Yeah I actually promised myself I’d step away a bit (here I am!) but all my normal keeping busy stuff involves painting/decorating/chemicals so I’ll need to come up with an absorbing task! I hope you’ll update me when your 12 week scan is done 🤗