Early pregnancy and testing anxiety

[sll92]

Hi everyone!

Posting here to try and ease my anxiety a bit 😅 I’m currently (based off my LMP of 20/2) 5w2d pregnant- my first pregnancy. I got my first positive test on 19/3 although the line was faint and I also got a 1-2 on a clearblue digital. The digital switched to 2-3 on 23/3 and I was expecting it to have switched to 3+ yesterday but both tests I’ve done yesterday and today are still showing 2-3 🙃

I know that LMP dating is based on a 28 day cycle which I don’t have so I’m wondering if my dates are maybe a few days out as my average cycle length is 31 days ish? This was a surprise pregnancy but very much wanted and I’ve found myself now becoming obsessed with testing and analysing lines and digital tests which is not helping my anxiety at all!

I don’t really have any pregnancy symptoms either which is concerning me and the last few days I’ve had on and off mild cramping 😢 I’ve read that the clearblue digital tests are notoriously inaccurate so I feel like I’ve just made myself unnecessarily anxious. I’m going to book a private scan if I can figure out my dates but if anyone has any tips for managing this early anxiety I would be very grateful!

Are you anxious about whether or not you are actually pregnant?

I would disregard the weeks on the Clearblue test and just calculate from your last period for now. Get a basic test. You can get them for a pound - they all work the same way.

Also very common not to have symptoms so early on.

Are you anxious about whether or not you are actually pregnant?
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So you have had a positive test. It's quite normal not to have symptoms. Why do you think you need a private scan with my 4 I just had the routine scans at 12 and 20 weeks.

No, I know I’m pregnant. I’m anxious that things aren’t progressing as they should. Because it was a surprise pregnancy I hadn’t been taking folic acid in advance and had been drinking alcohol etc… my mum also had a history of recurrent miscarriage and needed progesterone and aspirin to prevent this and I’m worried this could be something I’ve inherited.

I know I’m being silly really but I just can’t help worrying. Because none of this was planned I’m worried I’ve mucked up already and now I’m constantly analysing how dark lines are getting or why digital tests haven’t switched from 2-3 weeks to 3+ even though rationally I know it’s not a reliable sign of progression and I probably sound unhinged at this point!

Doctors date from LMP because it's the only factual data they have, this assumes a 2week period before ovulation. However, ovulation can be different for everyone. For example i have always had a 28 day cycle, but I only get my peak LH surge around day 15 or 16 usually so don't actually ovulate until 24 hours after that realistically. So I would be 3ish days behind the "general calculator".

The CB digital however is based on HCG levels, and assumes a conception date. So even though the general theme is to just add 2 weeks and that should tie into your LMP.... But again if you ovulate later than day 14 (which would be typical with a 31 day cycle) then you will probably be off by a few days.

Also, the fact you had a 2-3 on 23rd March, I'd always assume that was the first day it moved up in weeks so wouldn't test for at least 8 days again. I say this as an avid tester 😂 You could just be testing on day too early and getting stressed.

Ah we’re in a similar boat! I think I’m about 5+2 (though don’t really know as been breastfeeding for over a year and no periods!). I’m very anxious too (had a MMC at 13 weeks before after seeing a heartbeat at 7 weeks) but here is some reassurance!

Really don’t worry about having drunk alcohol before you found out, read Emily Oster, very reassuring. I drank every day before I found out. As for folic acid if you’re taking it now that’s all great, and chances are you weren’t deficient before.

The vast vast majority of miscarriages are chromosomal abnormalities which are totally random and there’s nothing at all you could do about it. And someone on here said something v useful about that: if it’s a faulty plane, you wouldn’t want it taking off.

Would also say LMP is so inaccurate for dating. I ovulated on day 28 with my son. Seems likely you’re a few days behind where you think if cycles are normally 31.

Many women don't take folic acid in advance and have had alcohol before they realised they were pregnant.

Maybe speak to your GP/early pregnancy assessment unit about your concerns regarding your mum's experiences with miscarriage.