test line not darker

[StranjeGirl]

I am 10 dpo today according to my chart and my tests today are no darker, in fact maybe a bit lighter, than yesterday. I tested with smu for both days without drinking anything before. I took a frer yesterday with smu, and it was the darkest of 3 I took yesterday. The last was the lightest. I didn't do a frer today, I figured I'd wait til tomorrow or the next day, but is this a bad sign, or is it just because I am so early that I can't really see the rise in hcg yet? The lines were pretty faint to begin with, but definitely there, and I got a pos on a clearblue digi saying 1-2 weeks with 2nd morning urine yesterday...haven't taken another one of those. Thanks!

 

[MummyToAmberx]

If im reading right been testing daily? if so i seen no improvement for 4 days min.

i think i got my first at 10dpo wasnt until 14/15dpo could tell it got darker (between that time it looked lighter)

 

[StranjeGirl]

Wow thank you!! Yes I only tested yesterday and today. Makes me feel better, thanks!

 

[kel21]

Each test has a different amount of dye.

 

[purplecupcake]

HCG doubles every 2-3 days, not every day, so when you that early and in the double digits for HCG, your tests do not always get darker within one day.

 

[StranjeGirl]

Thanks ladies! I had taken a few different brands and all seemed just slightly lighter this morning- or very close to the same on one, but yesterday I had super concentrated dark pee so maybe that is part of the reason. I'm also spotting, which is normal for me due to cervical ectropian, but it just adds to my anxiety!! Thanks for the input!!

 

[_jellybean_]

you're still early--takes a couple of days usually to double, so I wouldn't worry hon.

 

[lala3]

Don't worry, a line is a line...you are pregnant, congratulations! I know exactly how you feel, & I am the same way...even though I know that tests can be wildly inconsistent, I have been testing anyway, to try to watch the hcg levels rise until my 1st appointment. If you're using Wondfo test strips, they are notoriously unreliable now. They used to be great, but apparently they made some changes, & now they are inconsistent & shouldn't be used to track the hcg increase. A lot of tests vary, just depending on how sensitive they are...some are more sensitive than others...& also depending on how much dye they have...different tests will have more/less dye, which will vary even amongst the same brand of test. So you can take 2 tests by the same brand, at the same time, & one can be lighter than the other, just because one had less dye than the other. Also, the concentration of the hormone in your urine can make a difference...so that's another thing to consider. As well as the fact that hcg only doubles about every 2 days, so you won't see much of a difference in tests right away, anyway. For all of these reasons, that's why a lot of people say "a line is a line"...because these tests are meant to confirm a pregnancy ONLY, they aren't meant to tell you "how pregnant" you are. Be happy, be confident, & don't worry! Congratulations again!

 

[StranjeGirl]

Don't worry, a line is a line...you are pregnant, congratulations! I know exactly how you feel, & I am the same way...even though I know that tests can be wildly inconsistent, I have been testing anyway, to try to watch the hcg levels rise until my 1st appointment. If you're using Wondfo test strips, they are notoriously unreliable now. They used to be great, but apparently they made some changes, & now they are inconsistent & shouldn't be used to track the hcg increase. A lot of tests vary, just depending on how sensitive they are...some are more sensitive than others...& also depending on how much dye they have...different tests will have more/less dye, which will vary even amongst the same brand of test. So you can take 2 tests by the same brand, at the same time, & one can be lighter than the other, just because one had less dye than the other. Also, the concentration of the hormone in your urine can make a difference...so that's another thing to consider. As well as the fact that hcg only doubles about every 2 days, so you won't see much of a difference in tests right away, anyway. For all of these reasons, that's why a lot of people say "a line is a line"...because these tests are meant to confirm a pregnancy ONLY, they aren't meant to tell you "how pregnant" you are. Be happy, be confident, & don't worry! Congratulations again!

THank you!! ANd yes you are right about the wondfos!! What happened to them? They used to be awesome. I feel like even the opks aren't as good anymore? I am now finally seeing progression, and I am realizing that urine concentration must be really important when early on. My first tests were with very very concentrated second morning urine. Everything looked lighter until the next night when my urine was again really concentrated. This morning is definitely darker than it was 2 mornings ago, but slightly lighter than with my very concentrated urine last night. I saw such dark lines last time, but I had waited til 12 dpo to test and this time I tested at 9 dpo...makes a big difference I guess!

WHen is your appt lala? Keep in mind that once your hcg rises to a certain level, usually around 6 weeks, your tests get fainter! I had so much bleeding in my first pregnancy so I kept testing and thankfully I had read that because that is exactly what happened and I would have freaked out...it was the strangest thing!

 

[lala3]

I can totally relate! I had implantation bleeding with my daughter & it totally freaked me out. I tested pretty much every day until my hcg levels started to decrease, just to make sure! I haven't had any bleeding this time, so I'm going to try to just not worry about it as much & enjoy it...but I do still test, just because I haven't had many symptoms yet & it's reassuring.

I haven't made my appt yet, because I am still debating over a midwife or OB/GYN, both would deliver at a hospital, but different hospitals, & each have their pros & cons. I'm only 4 weeks along, so I'm going to get more info from my doula, who has dealt with both, & see if she can help me decide. I figure I'll probably get the appt for around 8 weeks, since I don't want to go too early. I've heard horror stories of women who went in too early & they couldn't find the heartbeat, & they made them worry for a few more weeks, until they were able to detect it at 8 weeks...I don't want to go through that!

I don't know what happened to Wondfo, I guess they cut some corners & went with a new manufacturing facility or something. Probably in China. The quality has definitely suffered...I received 2 bad batches in a row! The 1st batch actually gave me false positives...that was fun. The 2nd batch had defective tests that never should have made it past quality control...they had big indents & "chips" in the test area, that made them virtually unreadable. And the 3rd batch do work, but the dye is so sparring that they can't be used to watch the hcg rise at all, & they are really faint. I spent so much money on FRER's, just to make SURE because the Wondfos are unreliable now. Such a shame. I wrote to the company to let them know I was unhappy about it.

When is your appointment? And what is your due date? Based on ovulation, mine is December 21st, unless the doctor changes it. Oh, & I see that our kids are about the same age! My little girl just turned 2 in March!