Trying not to Panic...

[MrsTM13]

Morning Ladies.

So after first faint BFP of this cycle on Saturday I have tested every day (I bought 2 boxes) and the last two tests I've taken in my opinion have fainter lines than Sunday's test. Perhaps I'm being irrational but after my hcg level only being 7 last time I am starting to panic. It's OTD tomorrow and 3-4pm is looking a long long way off for the results. I genuinely have no idea how I will cope if they tell me the same thing has happened this time. Can we be that unlucky twice?

In terms of symptoms the only things I've continued to have is pain under my ribs on the left side which I had last time but stopped at 3 days (i'm now 8dp5dt) and the odd crampy twinge. My sense of smell and taste went wild last time but I've had a cold so not sure where I stand on that front. I know most people have sore boobs as early symptom but not a thing. AF would be arriving Sunday 6th and I have noticed my skin breaking out a little bit which it usually does the week before. Is this normal if I'm pregnant?

I went into the blood test last time thinking it was just part of the process but now I am absolutely petrified.

[Tlove]

Hi, I remember saying to my GP that I was tempted to test every couple of days like this but she advised against it as it can drive you a little crazy! I just wonder if you are definitely looking at the right line as the test line? When I did my test, it was a first response and the line on the left came up instantly and really dark. I was convinced this must be the reference line as the other line was so faint. But it was clearly marked on the test that the left line is the test line so I googled it and it seems that if you have high levels of hCG, the line will be dark and will draw some of the dye from the reference line. Are you also using the same brand of test every time? And urine from a morning sample?

8dp5dt is still very early. It's too early really to read into any symptoms and the progesterone can screw up all those feeling of symptoms anyway! But a stuffy nose can be a side effect of pregnancy, some women have blocked sinuses for the whole 9 months.

I would say stop testing, stop looking for symptoms and wait until your official results as you are just going to do your head in. Try to keep yourself occupied with other things if you can. x

[MrsTM13 in reply to Tlove]

I am out of tests now so no more tests. I'm confident I'm looking at the right line- the control line came up straight away followed by the positive line. I've been testing first thing in the morning and with the same brand. The last two tests that have been lighter came from the same box. The test that is the darkest came from a different box. I am just worrying that the fainter lines mean I'm going to have another early m/c.

Because I wasn't expecting the news last time I couldn't even speak to the nurse at the clinic when she rang. I felt so bad afterwards but I was hysterical. Starting to kick myself for letting myself get excited.

Guy at work passed his cold on to me which was bad over the weekend but is clearing up now.

I wasn't really expecting symptoms as such but now reading too much into everything and you're right I'm driving myself insane but until I'm told my hcg is over 50 i think that's the way it's going to be. I doubt I'll be sleeping much tonight.

x

[Tlove in reply to MrsTM13]

Hi, I do know how you feel. I've been there too with mc after naturally conceiving and it's horrible. For most people, they can enjoy pregnancy from the time they get a bfp but for us, we're always on edge, analysing every twinge, every bit of spotting or blood. I have made it to 7+4 weeks this time and had a good scan at 6 weeks but until I see heartbeats and get measurements on my 8 week scan, I just can't allow myself to get too excited. We saw twins at 6 weeks, which is exciting but I just know too much about mc at this stage and that feeling never leaves you. But I do believe that IVF is giving us the best chance because at least they can see the embryo developing at the early stages and can pick ones that look healthy. This has to be a big help.

It is all beyond our control and you just have to take it day by day, week by week and believe in the science behind it. And stay positive if you can. I think that maybe your tests were from different lot numbers and perhaps this meant there was a slight difference between them. It's good you have run out of them!

I don't know if you've had the flu shot but it may be a good idea if you're picking up colds, etc. They recommend it anyway for pregnant women - I know of someone who got swine flu in pregnancy and it was really serious.

Is it tomorrow you get the blood test?

[MrsTM13]

Yes I'm going in at 8am and should get a phone call between 3-4pm. Last time I knew something wasn't right from the tone of her voice. I feel sick just even thinking about it. I just want to know now. It's literally all I can think about.

[Hopeful1982]

Hello

I had sore boobs and some cramping but I had these from before ET so they were definitely down to the drugs and also a bit of swelling/bruising from EC and not pregnancy symptoms. I know we all look for 'signs' but I genuinely don't believe that anything other than a pregnancy test/blood test can tell you for sure.

I didn't test until 14dp5dt so 8dp5dt does seem quite early. I doubt I would have had a dark line then either.

When we start to think about the future or what 'might' happen that's when we tend to get stressed. Try to focus only on today. At the moment there's nothing to suggest it hasn't worked or that the same thing will happen as before so keep repeating this to yourself and try keep busy! I know how tough it is.

Good luck x

[Tlove]

Hi MrsTM13, just wishing you luck for today. Keeping fingers crossed that all is well for you this time. x

[MrsTM13]

Thank you Tlove. Had blood taken at 8am so few hours left to go. Clinic told me the minimum I need is 50 with a FET as apparently you get higher numbers with a FET cycle. Fortunately I am flat out at work which is occupying my mind. x

[WeeMrsH]

Lots of luck MrsTM13, thinking of you! x

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How you doing Mrs tm?