Worried about test line progression after embryo transfer

[Narlem]

Hey! I had my 2nd transfer on the 23rd May (5DT) I got my first positive on 5DPT on FRER. Since then the lines have been progressing and yesterday/today I got a 2-3 on a digital, however my lines don’t seem to have really progressed since 9DP - this morning my 11DPT actually looked lighter, I then added a bit of water and retested and it has dried darker - I’m so scared I am having a Chemical. My official test day is Friday, I have told my clinic that it’s been positive but they said I have to wait until Friday. So so worried

They look like great lines for 11DPT - and you’ve got a 2-3 on a Digital which is a great sign! I know it’s hard (I had 5 failed transfers) and I won’t tell you to step away from the tests as honestly I was terrible for constant testing but each day you have such a good line is a great sign

Thank you. I’m sorry to hear about your failed transfers :( that is such a huge heartbreak. I think at this point I was just expecting that I would get a dye stealer but I’m scared they aren’t progressing and my one this morning was lighter than yesterdays test which was dried however now they have both dried they look pretty much the same. I think I need to skip tomorrow for my own sanity and just pray on Friday it still says 2-3, I have seen people saying that the progression on the new dark top frers isn’t very good xx

Hey @Narlem the tests really still do
look very strong! You’re about 16dpo equivalent, and I do remember about this time finding it hard to spot whether they were still darkening ‘enough’. I thought two days apart they were about the same, and had a repeat hcg done by the clinic (due to previous ectopic, but very handy for reassurance) and lo and behold it had nearly tripled from the first test despite to my eyes the line looking not that much darker. I don’t say this to pretend your worries are invalid (it is so scary when something is just this precious) but to highlight that once tests get pretty darn dark they don’t necessarily get much darker.

Hey! Thank you for trying to reassure me, when I first tested this morning my test did definitely look lighter than yesterday however that test was dry and now it has dried it looks the same as yesterday so I’m just so worried. I think I maybe need to stop testing on the frers and then just do a digital on my official test day on Friday. None of my tests are looking close to the control line until it’s nearly an hour later which I know makes the result invalid. I feel just so sad as I think it probably is a chemical now it’s not getting any darker 😢

Do your clinic not do blood tests for ivf? When I had my nhs rounds it was just pee on a stick but private was hcg. If it were me and I was as worried as you I’d pay for it if not offered and pay for another in two days. Because not knowing becomes torturous.

I know what you mean about them drying and comparisons, though the whole “not valid after 10 mins” is usually meant about threshold testing (false positive lines), not when you’re trying to compare tests. Either they all have to be compared wet or they all have to be compared dry, tests always dry darker. And comparing wet is so tricky, because of lighting and positioning needing to be exactly consistent for the photos to be comparable.

pretty much all runs of tests you see for comparison’s sake are dried tests, like a single photo. But yeah, I’d recommend getting two blood tests so you can stop guessing. If you can’t do that, why not swap for a less sensitive brand (eg boots strip tests ), as possibly you’ll see more darkening on tests that aren’t already (possibly) maxed out.

I’ve had two ectopic pregnancy and these tests where my last pregnancy. I was convinced my last pregnancy wasn’t progressing. I’ve attached pictures. (13, 14, 15 and 17dpo) Said baby is now 7 months old playing with his big sister.

Yours look great to me.

I’m not too sure I am with Care Fertility so when I call them on Friday I will ask what the next steps are. I’m sorry, I feel like I’m being so annoying when I should just be grateful they are there (which obviously I am - I do have mild OCD so I think that’s maybe playing a part and I just don’t want to let anyone down)
I had one strip test left so I just did it with a hold of a couple of hours - wee looked much more concentrated and got this roughly within the 10 mins give or take. I am now going to leave testing tomorrow and just do a digital on Friday as it’s taking the fun out of it - I can’t thank you enough for just listening - it honestly helps me so much x

I’m so sorry to hear of your struggles but so please you made it out the other side. I have just tested again with a shorter hold of about 2 hours after literally loosing the plot all morning - thank you for taking the time to add words of encouragement I really appreciate it xx

Thank you so much you are exactly right x

I tested for months after my ivf just couldn’t believe was still pregnant. It’s so stressful - didn’t even believe it was real until I felt her love around 22 weeks!

all the best for you

Don't stress. The idea of lines getting stronger only really works up to a point. A higher hCG level will not always lead to a "dye stealer" apparently. I didn't quite understand the full explanation for this but essentially the lines will only progress in correlation with hCG levels when you're only just near the limit. Once you're over the limit, you won't necessarily see progression any more and that's OK.

Try to stick with the mantra "Today I am pregnant" and lay off the tests if you can.

Do you have an appointment with the clinic? A digital for Friday sounds like a good idea so you're not stressing over analysing the lines. X

Thank you - I really am trying my best not to worry so tomorrow I do really need a break from testing tomorrow nd then will hope it is still 2-3 on Friday or even 3+ would be incredible xx

Tests look good! Took me until 14dpt to get a strong line and I'm now 33 weeks, wishing you all the best of luck xx

Thank you so much and congratulations I hope everything goes well for you xxxx

I have tested again today at 14DPT and think I have my dye stealer? Xxx