**sensitive** BFP following FET but now obsessively taking pregnancy tests!

[Pebbles345]

I'm embarrassed to admit this but I hope someone might have experienced something similar and have some words of advice. Since day 8 following my transfer I have tested every 2 days and now I'm past by OTD and have a scan booked in for 3 weeks time. The trouble is I'm still testing and feel like it's getting silly!

The line has progressed as I've taken it every 2 days in the morning but today I've tested at lunchtime and the line doesn't look quite as dark! I know this is completely stupid and I should be grateful and enjoy the experience but I've just got myself in to a hole with it!! our clinic doesn't do blood tests so I just have a long way to go and don't want to keep testing every 2 days 🤪.

Has anyone experienced this and come out the other side same?!

thanks all xx

[Jane8412]

I think it is completely normal after IVF/FET BFP to obsessively test. I was exactly the same after my first BFP. I bought a bunch of the cheapie tests as I didn't want to waste more money on the clearblue/first response (so pricey!) I was very obsessive and panicky until my 7 week viability scan. I would like to say the stress went after that but it remained until I gave birth. Unfortunately pregnancy after loss/fertility treatment is not relaxing.

In the end I had to stop myself from testing. It wasn't helping me mentally and was just adding to stress. I know it is hard, but if you can, stop and wait for that first scan. Tests now won't tell you anything but just add to your worry. xx

[Pebbles345 in reply to Jane8412]

thank you so much for this and understanding.

I'm exactly the same as you and only bought the cheap tests which is almost worse because there are so many of them! I'm not sure what I'm expecting them to show but it's like I need reassurance . I guess it's normal when you want something so much.

Thanks again, your message was really reassuring xxx

[Jonesy84]

healthunlocked.com/fertilit...

Hi lovely, firstly congrats on your BFP! A lot of us know we shouldn’t keep testing but those tests are like magnets and keep dragging us back 🤣

I done the same with my first and after a bit the line went lighter and caused me such Anxiety but the ladies on here came the rescue and told me about the hook affect which is what might be happening. Basically the test gets confused as your hormone levels are so high and starts to created the lighter line. I have attached my post above so you can read the responses. I would stop testing now if poss xxx

[minnesota_girl]

you need to step away - once hcg gets so high the tests can't cope and lines appear lighter! Messes with your mind - I know how hard it is, I'm 6+2 and just distracting myself with every potential thing until my scan!! xx congratulations!

[Pebbles345 in reply to minnesota_girl]

good advice! Congratulations to you too ❤️🥰 xx

[Hidden]

I have done this with my last few pregnancies and then come to the same realisation that I think you are coming to - it does you zero good. There are so many nuances with test - sometimes some have more dye than others, sometimes you drank more water one day, you can get dye stealers but don't always, then you can have the hook effect like everyone else says. It doesn't give you any reassurance as you analyse and over analyse and worry even more when you are testing. It won't stop what is going to happen happen. I have had a number of miscarriages and chemicals and repeatedly tested as I thought I would feel better if I knew.. to be honest all it did was mean I was sad and upset for even longer than I needed to be as I saw the MC coming rather than finding out at the time. Likewise with my current pregnancy I was so convinced it was going to go wrong I spent hours comparing tests to other peoples on Google, and getting very upset for days on end.. and not actually needing to as it was ok in the end (for now at least). Needless to say whether things turned out ok or not I just spent days obsessing and being upset, and it doesn't do you or your embryo any good. So put your tests away, enjoy being pregnant, and think positive as thats all you can do to influence the outcome. Congratulations again!! x

[Pebbles345 in reply to Hidden]

thank you so much for this. I really needed to hear this. It's like stealing my own joy when I don't even know anything is going to be wrong!!

I'm so glad that things are going well for you so far, congratulations!! ❤️ xxx

[Hidden]

Hey, I was exactly the same only worse 🙃

Tested every single day from day 2 after a 5 day transfer and stopped around 14dpt. I think it was once I saw 2-3 weeks pregnant on the clearblue digital that it finally settled in and I had a word with myself to just stop buying 😂 you can do it!!

100% is the IVF causing it though so don’t be feeling bad or anything, totally normal to feel like this can’t be true. Congratulations!! ❤️ xx

[Pebbles345 in reply to Hidden]

This message made me smile! It's good to know that I'm not alone! I'm now 17 days pt so I need to put the tests away!! Thank you 😊 xxx

[Hidden in reply to Pebbles345]

Ah I’m so glad! It really makes us feel crazy but it’s only natural ❤️ Put your feet up and enjoy this feeling 😍 xxx

[Redsequin]

Hello lovely. I can totally understand the impulse: I think everyone who's been through infertility treatment feels like this. However, I would say just not having them in the house is the best thing! You are trying to get "certainty" by doing repeated tests, but as others have said it's impossible to tell anything much until the first scan. One thing I did to keep me away from the tests was make the decision to just believe I was pregnant and enjoy it while it lasted. Surprisingly, it did work in those early days — until my first scan of course when I was a nervous wreck. 😅 Sending lots of love your way. You can do this!!

[Pebbles345 in reply to Redsequin]

thank you! Congratulations on the arrival of your baby ❤️🥰. Great advice on believing that I am pregnant!! I should enjoy it xxx

[HollyT7]

been there 🙄 it was worse with my first, we had to have reassurance scans but it would only subside tge aniexty for a really small time and everytime we went I'd have the pre 12 week scan aniexty. I was just a mess, it felt cruel after all we had to do to get the bfp. Second time around was much different. I don't have any advice thst you'll listen too as its... put the tests away! Much easier said than done. But the fact is, everything is out of your hands. try to bask in the happiness as much as your mind allows because congratulations my lovely, your pregnant 😘❤️

[Twiglet2]

Congratulations! that was me! After you have the scan you will stop the tests (I just moved on to being obsessed with scans tho lol 🙈😂). The fact you are only doing it every few days I would say well done! At times I tested twice a day! Just be careful of the ‘hook effect’ it’s what made me stop testing a week or so after test day it can freak you out (HCG is so high it skews the pregnancy test) and it does get to a point where the tests mean nothing much in terms of line progression. The end of this crazy chapter is near and you will be on to the next 🤭 wishing you lots of luck and you are not insane at all by the way totally normal response to try and ease your worries (even though it doesn’t really) so don’t be hard on yourself lovely 🤗💜⭐️ xxx

[Positivechangeplease]

I have to say I just did it once (or maybe twice because my OH didn’t believe it) on OTD. I never tested again because those tests are never that accurate past 3 weeks post test day or missed period and can’t tell you much more. You’ll have to have the scan anyway so time to put the tests down.

[Endopink14]

I’ve done the exact same since my BFP on 12 Feb. I like doing the tests because it’s amazing to see it say Pregnant or see the two lines for a change. I also did more this Sunday just to make sure I was still pregnant!! I didn’t realise how hard mentally it would be in the first weeks of pregnancy. One minute I get excited about the future then I get a massive panic that I will miscarry. Sorry I don’t have any advice but I just wanted to let you know your not alone! X