Pregnancy tests not getting darker?

[oldmcdonald87]

Currently 4 weeks pregnant with DC2. I first tested 8dpo (when I tested positive with DC1) but it was negative so I assumed it wasn’t to be but AF didn’t arrive and I didn’t have the “period is coming” 6th sense that I normally have. Got a BFP on 14dpo. I’ve tested every other day since to check if the line gets darker as it did with my first pregnancy but after the 3 mins wait, they’ve looked lighter than the previous day but by 10 mins they’ve maybe been marginally darker. But still not as dark as my previous pregnancy. I’m freaking out that it could be chemical or ectopic.

Can you see progression? I find pregnancy anxiety inducing!

(Top photo is 14dpo, bottom is today 18dpo (tracked ovulation with sticks).

The bottom one does looking darker. Step away from the tests! You will drive yourself mad.

It’s positive. Stop testing

Does it matter that it took 10 mins for it to get that dark though?

My FRER lines did not show progression, if anything my 16dpo was a tiny bit fainter than 15dpo so I panicked and got hcg blood tests which showed doubling levels. My easy@home showed better progression but I stopped testing anyway because testing gave me a lot of anxiety. I am just (im)patiently waiting for my early scan now and hoping for the best. Good luck OP, I can empathise with the worry!!

@Ivf4203 That’s reassuring about your HCG levels being good. Did you just call GP for that? Praying for you that your early scan goes well. How far along are you now?

The 18dpo definitely looks darker. When I was pregnant I got another test to do a few days after testing positive as I had seen people talking about line progression and wanted a dye stealer but it ended up being completely negative. Said child is asleep on my lap currently.

Easier said than done but I would say stop testing. Congratulations on your pregnancy.

@oldmcdonald87 i had the hcg tests done privately, the early scan will be private too. I’m 6+2 today so very early days. Keeping everything crossed. Thanks, i’m very nervous but I know my worrying won’t do me any good!

Stop testing, from a previous crazy pregnant woman.

@theclampits I know you’re right 🙈 I should stop testing. I was hoping I’d be less crazy second time but now I have something to compare it to so in some ways the anxiety is even worse!

I made a very similar thread to this back in November:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/conception/5215237-line-too-light-for-14-dpo?reply=140143192

I’m now 29 weeks with this baby ❤️

@Peachmelbaa Aw that’s so lovely and reassuring. Congrats! I hope I have the same outcome. I’m going to give it a week before doing anymore tests I think and hope I get a stronger positive after a bit more time.

Step away from the repeat testing!!!

@oldmcdonald87 I stepped away from the line tests shortly after making the thread and the only tests I did after that were digitals but I did them until I got my 3+ then stopped testing. Although, even with those it took me a while to get 3+! Wishing you lots of luck ❤️

@Peachmelbaa can i ask when you got your 3+ if you don’t mind? Also did you get another hcg after your second one?

@Ivf4203 yeah course, I was 5+5 or 27 dpo when I got 3+.

I didn’t get a third hcg done as they scanned me at 5+2 instead and found the gestational sac and yolk sac.