Tests getting lighter? Worried

[HoneyPeaches]

I am pregnant again after having a miscarriage in November. My tests have been getting darker daily but I'm a bit concerned about the most recent ones.

The top one is 16dpo PM and the one below that is 17dpo AM. I drank a lot of water throughout the day of 17dpo and went for a pee less than 2 hours before I peed for the 17 dpo PM test (3rd one down) which was around 10:30pm, so I thought maybe that's why it's lighter. However, the last one was taken at 18dpo around 4am which is worrying as it’s quite a substantial hold time between tests. I tried to wait a bit later so 1 could use FMU but I was desperate for a pee in the middle of the night. I have also peed again a few times since taking that test, which I'm hoping is a good pregnancy sign or may be because of my high water intake.

I'm so worried that my tests are getting lighter and this is going to be another loss.

Any support/advice/guidance would be greatly appreciated as this is such an anxious time for me. Thank you.

Hi OP, to me the tests all look the same to me so I would probably step away from them now and hope for the best. I also had a loss in November so I know the anxiety.

I am also early pregnancy after loss.

It is so hard as all you can do is wait and hope. I had concerns mine aren’t getting darker but tried a different brand (switched from easy@home to Boots strips) and then got much darker lines.

I have now stopped testing as it is just stressing me out. For now, I’m letting myself cautiously dream and believe in it. I looked up statistics and there is around a 15% chance of miscarriage at this point; 85% chance it should be all good. So the odds are in favour. I know if it goes wrong, I’ll be devastated but cope like I did last time.

I don’t know if this helps, just sharing as my mind has been in similar places.

It isn’t lighter. But you can’t expect them to keep getting darker either, they only have a certain amount of ink. Good luck OP

This was me betweeen 14-20dpo, driving myself mad as the tests were lighter then darker then lighter again.

For me, my progression wasn't an obvious light to dark, it varied a lot. I had quite light tests in the morning and they got darker in the evening.

I was certain I had miscarried and was a total wreck, but the pregnancy progressed fine and little one is now 2!

You have lovely dark lines, I'd not be concerned.

If you are really struggling, you could get a HCG blood test 2 days apart to confirm everything is progressing.

Hello there.
Your tests look absolutely fine to me.

They're not really getting lighter but you're understandably very anxious.

I hope everything goes well this time. Early pregnancy is so scary when you've had a miscarriage.

Thank you for your reply and reassurance, I’m so sorry for your loss and send you lots of love 💕

Thank you for your reply. I’m sorry to hear of your loss as well - how far along are you now? I was initially using easy@home but have been using Wondfo over the last few days. I have just bought some Boots strips tested again using a Wondfo, Boots, and Clear Blue test. I think they look darker now after a 3 hour old and minimal liquid intake, so I’m hoping the previous two were due to me being very hydrated!

I want to stop testing and just believe that I am pregnant. I have also read that after a miscarriage, you are more likely to have a successful pregnancy - around 85% as you say.

Your comment helped a lot, thank you. Sending you all my best wishes

Thank you for your reply and sharing your story! I am so pleased that your pregnancy progressed well and you have your little one

I have just done a few more tests (Wondfo, Boots, and Clear Blue) for comparison and I think they look darker? These were after a 3 hour hold with minimal liquid intake, so I’m hoping that the previous two were due to me being very hydrated. Keeping my fingers crossed ❤️

Hi @HoneyPeachesI think the tests look fine and strong. The darkness of the lines isn’t an exact science - so yes very faint might mean something but tiny differences aren’t meaningful (plus I think yours look fine anyway).

I was exactly the same as you during my last pregnancy which was also after a previous loss so I totally get it. In fact I think I posted an almost identical thread - or maybe joined some existing ones. I definitely spent my time scanning old internet forums!

I did HCG tests which are more accurate but a longer wait and more expensive! But ultimately the agonising truth is that the only way to know for sure is time…I genuinely know how tough it is and only you know the best way to ease your anxiety - some people find it helps to test a lot, others find it better to stop testing, for many of us we will be anxious whatever we do. But it is worth considering whether the testing is helping or hindering!

really wishing you all the best. For what it’s worth the pregnancy I mentioned above worked out just fine. And I had a big bleed that time too.

fingers crossed for you x

Thank you so much for your reply and for sharing your experience. I’m so pleased for you that you had a positive outcome after the same experience - it really gives me hope.

I am anxious at the best of times but it’s just another level after a loss isn’t it? I’m torn between whether the tests help or not, but ultimately I don’t want to be so dependent on them and just want to embrace the moment where right now I am pregnant, and believe it will be a success story. Easier said than done with anxiety though!

I’m trying to keep positive based on the statistics that a pregnancy after miscarriage (especially within the first 6 months after I believe) is much more likely to be successful than not.

How far along were you when you stopped testing for the pregnancy you mentioned?

I am approx 5 + 4 weeks now. Trying to book a scan for 7 weeks. Last time I miscarried a day or two before my booked early scan. It is very hard not to symptom spot and look for signs of miscarriage coming constantly.

As I said, just trying to have hope and realise that believing in it is not going to jinx it or change outcome!

Sorry for your loss, ive been there and it’s tough. Those tests all look the same to me. I know it’s hard but please stop testing; it won’t change anything. Or at least wait a good few days (ideally a week) and use the clear blue weeks indicators instead. I had a successful pregnancy after previous MC.

I think it's time to stop the testing. We almost have too much information now and this is not helping your anxiety.

Wishing you all the very best ❤️ I’m 4 + 4 so a week behind you! I hope you are able to get your scan and it goes well. xxx

With my last pregnancy, I had a scan at 7 + 5 but was measuring 6 + 2 so I knew something wasn’t right instantly. It’s also so hard not to compare pregnancies, what things looked like this time back then etc. isn’t it?

Exactly, I have to remind myself that no amount of worrying will change anything. Right now, we are pregnant so we can focus on that! Keeping everything crossed for you

Kindly step away from the tests. It will just make your anxiety worse.
As someone who went through 2MMC's, line progression means nothing. Both my MMC's had good progression and my subsequence successful pregnancy was light and getting lighter. I was convinced it was over only to turn up to my 7 week scan and see a little bean with a heartbeat. I wish I'd just enjoyed those weeks not spent it worrying.

You need to try and stop testing and relax. Stress in itself is not good for your body or baby. Go for a long walk, keep busy and retain in a week.

Thank you so much for sharing your story and for your advice. I’m sorry to hear about your MMCs, but so pleased that you have now had a successful pregnancy. I agree that there are so many factors that can affect the tests so I need to just live in the moment, and believe in my pregnancy.

They look perfect to me OP. I had a chemical before and my tests never got this dark!

Stop testing. I had bleeding and pain at 7 weeks, referred to EPU. They told me to do a test to check still positive before the scan which was really faint and I freaked out. Some wise mumsnetters recommended I dilute my wee and see what happens. The more I diluted it the stronger the line got as was Hook effect!

That pregnancy is now a huge healthy 2 yo. The tests aren't meant to be quantitative.

@HoneyPeachessorry for the slow response. I’m not quite sure but I think my last test was at 21dpo. I did also do hcg blood tests as mine were IVF pregnancies and did about 3 of those in the mix I think at 14pdo, 16 dpo and 21 dpo.

most people find it better to stop testing but I personally need a balance of information and breathing space! I’m not sure there is a right answer…just whatever you need to get through this anxious time.

xxx

Hi, I just wanted to post an update here for all you lovely people who offered support on my initial post and for anyone who may find themselves in the same position.

I took new tests this morning with FMU - I think the lighter ones from 18dpo were definitely due to my wee being so diluted by all the water I drank!

Thank you for all your kind words 💜 this has given me some much needed reassurance and I feel I can stop with the tests now!

Ah this is lovely @HoneyPeaches! Beautiful clear result. Congratulations and great that you fee you can stop testing now x