Early pregnancy anxiety over faint test lines and possible progression

[CasualOverthinker]

So quick preamble: I’m 35, have a gorgeous DD who just turned 4 and I am freshly pregnant after starting to TTC earlier this month for number 2.

I didn’t track ovulation or BBT, instead we wanted to try to go with the flow and see what happens and were pleasantly surprised it happened. My apps suggest I probably ovulated around 12-13 July, which would make me 12/13 DPO. Probably .

I first tested Tue afternoon (yes, because I am clearly insane) and got what I can only describe as a whisper of a whisper of a line after squinting at it for 15 min straight. Wed afternoon almost zero squinting was required.
Thu I took a CN digital and saw “Pregnant 1-2” which felt absolutely amazing.

I don’t have any preg symptoms, or any symptoms AF os coming, but I am super anxious and worried that my lines on the FRER are fainter than faint…Idk if that’s to do with how early I am, or if it’s an early indicator something is not right. I have also never experienced this, as my tests have always either been stark negative, or blazing positive, none of that inbetween squinting stuff. I also made the mistake of not only testing super early but also super frequently, sometimes twice a day and so every time I do, I expect a proper strong dark line and a super obvious progression, and I end up disappointed and worried. To me, it looks like zero change between Thu and Sat and that is stressing me out.

Can someone give me their two cents? Does this look ok, or does it look chemical? I know I need to step away from the tests….

Bump

It's definitely got darker though, so there is progression wed-fri which is 48 hours and that's a normal amount darker for early pregnancy. Wouldn't expect any progression fri-sat it's too soon. And as you don't truly know how many dpo you are, you could have ovulated a couple of days later and be 10dpo, or just implanted later than the last pregnancy. No one can tell you if it's a chemical, I think you know that. Some people have faint tests and it's a chemical, some have really dark tests and still miscarry. There's also such a range of HCG in successful pregnancies, look at this link: https://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/hcg-levels/

For what it's worth I always had really faint tests when I had chemicals, they never got to where you are now. I'll put a picture up you can hardly see the line. Then I bled, then a week after bleeding stopped I actually had a stronger test line and needed to go to epu. HCG of 90 via blood test, but no baby in there as I'd already passed it. It's so unreliable the darkness of the line, and tbh pregnancy tests are just yes or no, and yours are yes! And it's so dependent on hydration levels. I know it's hard but you need to sit in the uncertainty a bit. I would advise wait a few days, do a FMU test to get a darker line if that's what you really need, then step away as you're definitely pregnant and whatever happens from that point the tests won't tell you. I know it's mega hard though.

When pregnant with my son at 41 the lines were clear as day! With my DD at 43 they were very faint and I did have some spotting. It was only when at the hospital (I’m a type 1 diabetic so go there from the get go) at 9 weeks I was offered a scan as it was (unbelievably) available. Only then did I really believe I was actually pregnant! Good luck!

Thank you both! I so appreciate you taking the time to respond. It is mega hard indeed. I am a naturally anxious person and sitting with uncertainty is something my brain cannot tolerate, but I feel I have no other choice. I need to stop hyper fixating and white knuckling this. What will be will be, no problem was ever solved by worrying about it, etc…

It’s obviously difficult to wait, but if you test in the morning I think that will give you a good idea. The tests got darker Wednesday - Friday which was 48 hours. So Friday am - Sunday am should be darker again as that’s another 48.
I don’t think you need to worry that Friday to Saturday didn’t really, it’s still so early, it was only 24 hours difference and maybe you were more or less hydrated, at this point tiny differences could have a big impact I’d guess.

As difficult as it was, I gave it 48 h after having tested on Sunday morning and the line today was much more vibrant. I know it’s very early days, but I am so relieved!!! Next little milestone I have is seeing that digital go to 2-3 weeks. 🤞🏻🩷

@CasualOverthinkerthe progression looks great!

That's great! As difficult as it is, now you've got a strong and obvious line I'd stop testing. Those weeks indicators are only based off estimates of HCG and very inaccurate. Lots of people never get 3+ for instance and it causes them a lot of anxiety but baby is perfectly fine. I've never used one I don't trust them. You're definitely pregnant, congratulations!