Faint line at 9 weeks

haysallen

So I don't have another appointment for 2 weeks and got a little anxious. I thought taking another pregnancy test and seeing the positive mark would make me feel better....WRONG! The line was very faint... much lighter than the other positives I have gotten. Now I'm worried sick

HBamama2B

@haysallen I can understand how that'd be very nerve racking instead of giving extra security like you'd hoped. was it FMU? If not try again tomorrow morning or the next day with a good test like a FRER. If the line is still faint and you think you are 9 wks, call your OB and ask to come in for labs. Sorry that happened. I hope everything goes well!

Atlast111

Don't worry! This is very likely to be caused by the "Hook Effect". The pregnancy test stops working when your hormone levels are too high! If you dilute your urine with 50% water you should get a clearer result. Pregnancy tests stop being reliable at 9 weeks pregnancy because of this! So pay no mind.

Atlast111

Here is a link about it.

https://hubpages.com/health/What-Is-The-Hook-Effect

HBamama2B

@Atlast111 I'd never heard of that! Fantastic. Great find! OP ignore my comment, let's go with @Atlast111 's

tripledaggerWed95976

It's the Hook effect. Your 9 weeks along, put down the tests! :-) I know first tri is totally terrifying, but continuing to test when you're that far along will only add to your anxieties

Atlast111

HBamama2B said:

@Atlast111 I'd never heard of that! Fantastic. Great find! OP ignore my comment, let's go with @Atlast111 's

I only learnt about it from another board! Helped me though. Often I find I fall victim to the saying "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing". This is a classic example of this....lol.

alysemci

Hook effect

goldie987

Yup yup, hook effect/variant hook effect. I started to get it slightly fainter lines around 6 weeks, diluted the pee and the line was darker (hey, I had wondfos to use up) and said okay, not going to pee on sticks any more, totally not worth the stress.

haysallen

Thanks so much everyone! I definitely feel much better!!

VikingGirl12

Check out the chance of not having a miscarriage thread. Your chance of miscarriage at 9 weeks is very slim

june2016baby

I agree about the hook effect.

But if that doesn't comfort you, is there a walk up lab in your town, one that doesn't require a doctor's orders? We have one near us called Any Lab Test Now. It's a chain, and there are places all over the country that do the same thing. It costs $40 to get an HCG test, and your numbers come back within 48 hours. I have friends who've done it. They didn't even need an appointment, just stopped by and had it done.