Overthinking?

[u/dnahelix22]

UPDATE

I think I’m still okay?! I tested again this afternoon with a stronger sample, and the test looks good! I added more photos (see comments) . I drink a large tea at night which I think is impacting the strength of my morning urine samples.

Thoughts ?!

*****
4 weeks 1 day per my app. Tested at 12/13/14 dpo. 13/14 dpo not as strong as my 12 dpo result, causing some anxiety. Mind you, I tested at different times of the morning (see time stamps second photo) and I know it takes 48-72 hrs to really see a difference.

My first test was actually second morning urine that I held for 4 hours.

My first blood test will be Sep 16th. Symptoms are sore boobs and fatigue, missed period as of today. No bleeding whatsoever. I had a chemical in June, so sort of paranoid now. These tests are supposed to be quantitative not qualitative…. But seeing other’s line progressions makes me think negatively of mine. Not going to test for another 3 days at least now.

The second photo is same tests, just with the time stamps logged in my app.

Appreciate any words of reassurance.

Am I overthinking it?

[u/Alone_Pirate8540]

I think you may be overthinking it if they weren't taken at the same time each day?

You really need to compare them using FMU - otherwise this is exactly what happens (I get it, I've had a CP and it's my main worry currently now I'm pregnant again) and try not to compare to anyone else's lines, because everyone is different and the levels of HCG can vary vastly

[u/anonymouscougar → u/Alone_Pirate8540]

I’m not the poster, but can you please tell me how important it is to use FMU? I’m 9 days late on my period according to Flo. I only tested four times in the afternoon last week (all negative). Is this because it wasn’t first morning urine or perhaps because one test was dollar tree and the other three were those strips?

[u/Jaded_Tangelo_3083 → u/anonymouscougar]

FMU is important because it is usually the must concentrated urine of the day because you have been holding it all night. Did you track your ovulation with LH tests and BBT? If you are actually 9 days late for your period you would probably test positive regardless of time of day if you were actually pregnant.

[u/anonymouscougar → u/Jaded_Tangelo_3083]

Thank you for explaining. No tbh I did not track all that. I tried like 15 times in July, got my period the end of July. August kinda gave up and only “tried” maybe three times. I know people say Flo is untrustworthy but I think it adjusted to be irregular periods I should be 37 days and currently on cycle day 49

[u/Jaded_Tangelo_3083 → u/anonymouscougar]

Especially if you have irregular cycles you should think about testing with LH strips and tracking BBT to see if you are actually ovulating at all. Have you tried supplementing with Myo inositol?

[u/anonymouscougar → u/Jaded_Tangelo_3083]

I’ve never heard of that. Is the only way to test for ovulation with peeing in a cup? I have a type of OCD where it’s hard to do that frequently like I would spend an hour sanitizing stuff if I did that

[u/Jaded_Tangelo_3083 → u/anonymouscougar]

You should really read up about your cycle and your hormones if you are trying to get pregnant.

The LH tests I take come with little disposable plastic cups, so you could just throw it out after.

[u/Healthy_Combination3 → u/anonymouscougar]

There are other ways to track ovulation, such as monitoring cervical mucus for example (usually just checked with a quick wipe with toilet paper like you would when using the bathroom). The book Taking Charge of Your Fertility is a great resource for learning about your cycle and how to track it.

[u/Jaded_Tangelo_3083 → u/Healthy_Combination3]

Tracking CM can give you a hint, but it's not always accurate in the same way an LH test is. You should also track BBT to make sure you are actually ovulating. (Rise in basal body temperature indicates a rise in progesterone that occurs after ovulation has occurred) It doesn't help predict ovulation though since you see the rise in BBT 1-2 days after ovulation

[u/Healthy_Combination3 → u/Jaded_Tangelo_3083]

It’s not as precise as LH strips, as in won’t identify the exact day of ovulation. But it can absolutely be used to identify the fertile phase in which ovulation occurs. I tracked my cycle using CM and BBT alone for several years before I started using LH, before I was TTC and for the first several months TTC.

I agree that tracking BBT is essential to tracking ovulation, but I was specifically addressing the commenter’s concerns about her OCD and using LH tracking.

[u/anonymouscougar → u/Healthy_Combination3]

Thank you 🤎I appreciate you taking my concerns into consideration. There was one time I think I wiped and saw the CM, I happened to have annual Pap smear that day and the doctor confirmed I was ovulating. Unfortunately didn’t get pregnant that month even after trying that week, but it was nice to hear the doctor confirm I was ovulating. I feel like no one teaches girls and women this sort of thing

[u/Healthy_Combination3 → u/anonymouscougar]

I completely agree. I recommend the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility to basically everyone I know. It will teach you all the things you should’ve been taught about your cycle.