*sensitive* otd question - clear blue digital and spotting

[Rain415]

Hello everyone,

Its my OTD and I have had a faint positive since 8dp5dt. Today clear blue digital is showing 1-2 weeks pregnant should it be 2-3 weeks now? (13dp5dt) And I have woke up to some pink / brown spotting it's starting to get me a bit worried. Any advice / experiences would be great.

[LizzieBW]

Hi Rain,

Congrats! The digital HPTs measure weeks since conception not weeks since your period (the latter is how the nhs calculate a pregnancy, as you know) so at 4 weeks pregnant the digis would usually show 1-2 weeks pregnant. Of course this varies depending on HCG and concentration of urine etc etc.

I don't have any advice re the spotting unfortunately and sorry you're feeling worried. Can you call the nurses line at your clinic? I'm sure others here can offer their experience with spotting in early IVF pregnancy. Xx

[Rain415 in reply to LizzieBW]

Thank you for your reply about the digital test that makes me feel better not going to take another one until maybe past the weekend. I've just rang my clinic and they have said spotting is normal so I'm trying to stay calm about it! X

[LizzieBW in reply to Rain415]

Aw that's good you've spoken to someone at your clinic. I'm glad they were able to reassure you that digis aren't a reliable enough indicator so early on in pregnancy with too many variables.

It must be incredibly hard to stay calm but you're doing so well. Hope you have some self-care planned in for the rest of the week. Lots of luck to you xx

[Ivfgotadream]

In my experience it could go either way - don’t want to give you false hope by saying otherwise.....a reading of 1-2 weeks suggests a Hcg level below 153 which would be very low for the equivalent of 18dpo? Clearblue digitals accurately predicted my 4 miscarriages that being said if your hcg levels are really really high I have known them to throw the tests off so that they show a lower level than you’d expect?

[Rain415 in reply to Ivfgotadream]

Thanks ivfgotadream I thought it would be 2-3 by now clinic said not to read to much into it as not too reliable due to when it could have implanted. Just going to take it day by day. X

[Pu217 in reply to Rain415]

Hi there Rain, at 13DP5DT I had a hcg level of 144.33. This went up to 305.43 on 15DP5DT.

And I am now 14+5 with baby measuring ahead. I compared my hcg levels to other women constantly as they had higher numbers but it was wrong of me to do so.

My doctor says it doesn’t matter how low they start out - as long as they double every 48-72 hours, and in quite a few cases even an increase of 50% within this time frame mostly go on to be healthy pregnancies. So I wouldn’t worry about it too much if I were you - wait and test again in a couple of days if it would help ease your worry.

I had scans at 5+2 (saw only a sac) , 6+2 (sac grew bigger) and at 7+2 (saw yolk sac and baby with a healthy heartbeat). Also spotting is pretty common - as long as it isn’t bright fresh flow enough to soak a pad and/or severe cramps. Brown blood is usually old dried up blood.

Hang in there and best wishes to you, I hope your hcg keeps doubling. Hope this helps.

[Rain415 in reply to Pu217]

This does help thank you, going to take the advice and try to relax and test at the weekend. The spotting has eased so just need to try and wait to see what happens! And congratulations hope you continue to have a healthy pregancy. X

[Lovemylion]

Hey Rain415. So sorry you are feeling uncertain. I personally hate the clear blue predictors. I think they cause unnecessary added stress and shouldn't really be allowed as sometimes they're not accurate and even if they are there's nothing u can do about a potential mc anyway. Perhaps just do another test in a few days and then hopefully you will get some reassurance and then put the tests away and just wait for your scan. Xxx

[Rain415 in reply to Lovemylion]

Thanks for your reply that's my plan to wait until the weekend and take another test. It's really put me off these week indicators as just so stressful! X

[RubyVet]

My clinic tells us not to use the digital ones for this reason. I’m sure you have nothing to worry about. Congratulations on your positive xxx

[Rain415 in reply to RubyVet]

Thank you rubyvet I wish I hadn't used these ones now as its just an extra worry! Can understand why your clinic advises against them! X

[Rain415]

Thank you all for your advice and replies. I did another digital this morning and it is 2-3 so a bit of reassurance. Now I am officially banned from buying anymore of these tests! X

[Lovemylion in reply to Rain415]

I'm glad that's given you some reassurance. Pleased to hear it. Perhaps now just try and relax until your scan. Xx