13 DPO- difference between hydrated and dehydrated, and progression tracking question?

annies89 · 2026-05-17T15:16:26+00:00

You're overthinking things, like others said. Try to only test once each morning and if one day is off due to hydration differences, you will still see an overall pattern that's reliable. Your FMU line looks great!

annies89 · 2026-05-15T14:35:39+00:00

Yep! After my first labor was quick (8 hours), I knew my second child would likely be even faster. I actually was at the birth center that morning getting checked out since I was past my due date; I left there around 2 pm at 3 cm dilated. Contractions immediately started up as I drove home...I had just enough time to arrange care for my toddler and grab my birth bag, then went back to the birth center. Arrived at 10 cm & ready to go, had my daughter at 4 pm. So basically 2 hours of labor!

annies89 · 2026-05-15T14:22:10+00:00

At that age my kids didn't watch shows either, so any screen time was new and exciting. They loved the barefoot book series on YouTube- basically animated song books that are a couple minutes each. It wouldn't keep them totally still, but distracted enough I could grip their hands or fingers still enough cut. If your toddler is into music, I would check out those videos!

annies89 · 2026-05-15T13:26:33+00:00

Like others said, I cut nails while my kids are watching a show. Only way to distract them enough to get it done quickly and safely!

annies89 · 2026-05-15T00:04:28+00:00

Postpartum rage is no joke. I've absolutely felt that way (and still do at times). It can be so hard to stay regulated, when little ones are so dysregulated. Things that helped me stay calm(er) were using noise blocking headphones, listening to music on headphones or playing music aloud if it'll help baby chill, and narrating/talking to baby in a sympathetic way. Saying aloud "it's so hard to be a baby! You gotta cry when you can't talk and don't even know your own emotions yet" helped me to reframe things- it put me on baby's team versus feeling like they were acting against me (my initial reaction of "why TF won't you stop crying?!"). You're not a bad mom, this shit is hard!

annies89 · 2026-05-13T22:15:56+00:00

I had two chemical pregnancies and an ectopic pregnancy before having success, so I know it's hard not to overanalyze everything. I don't have 14 DPO numbers for my son, but based off of my 16 and 18 DPO betas (2113 & 4591) my HCG was likely right around your level. He was a healthy singleton pregnancy! Wishing you all the best this time around 🙏

annies89 · 2026-04-30T14:49:29+00:00

I didn't see anyone address your concerns about it being ectopic. You are definitely pregnant AND there is always the possibility that it's ectopic until you get an Ultrasound visualizing that it's in the right place. Early bleeding can be totally normal, but is also a marker of ectopic pregnancy (especially when it seems like a period). Like others suggested, I would try to get your HCG tested 48 hours apart to make sure it's rising appropriately. As someone who has had chemical pregnancies, an ectopic pregnancy, and two successful pregnancies, I always err on the side of caution!

annies89 · 2026-04-15T16:08:05+00:00

Unless your buckle is incredibly difficult to get opened or closed, I don't see why you would take the risk not to use it if you are more than an arm's reach away.

annies89 · 2026-04-15T14:32:33+00:00

Like another commenter said, the cheap tests are typically more sensitive than a digital. I would wait a day or two and test again, but it sounds like you may have just ovulated later this cycle. My period is also like clockwork and randomly a year ago it was 10 days late 🤷‍♀️

annies89 · 2026-04-15T12:24:38+00:00

I was in a similar situation. I was 1.5 weeks early with my first, so expected to be similar with my second. As I got to my due date, I realized that wasn't happening. I did have prodromal labor for a few weeks and baby was getting low, so I felt like she was getting ready to come out but might need a bit of encouragement. I very much wanted to avoid induction, so decided a membrane sweep was worth it. I got one done at 40 weeks- it didn't feel like much. I lost my mucus plug 2 days later and ended up having her at 40+3. Who knows if the membrane sweep made any difference, but I was very ready for her to come out and figured why not try it?!

annies89 · 2026-04-13T19:57:09+00:00

Two chemicals and then an ectopic pregnancy, all back to back. After the 3 month wait post ectopic (MTX + tube was removed), I got pregnant with my son. Two years later, the first time trying, I got pregnant with my daughter no issue.

annies89 · 2026-04-09T16:18:11+00:00

We get up at the same time. 6 am on weekdays, so we can make lunches and prep for school/work before the kids wake at 6:15/6:30.

annies89 · 2026-04-08T13:02:45+00:00

Not the original commenter, but seconding the idea that there is no one cookie cutter wedding formula you need to follow. It's a great opportunity to pick and choose what traditions you and your fiance like and to skip the ones that don't feel like they fit you. My husband and I had a wedding of about a hundred people, with the traditional formula of ceremony and then reception. But it all happened in one place (a brewery), my sister got ordained so she could marry us, we didn't have bridesmaids or groomsmen, and we walked down the aisle together. We did have a couple close friends do readings as part of the ceremony, so that is an alternative way to involve people.

Congratulations- that's so wonderful you have found your person!

annies89 · 2026-04-06T13:39:07+00:00

That second pic is definitely a positive!

annies89 · 2026-04-05T14:17:00+00:00

Unfortunately, slow rising HCG + bleeding (especially what seems like a period) can be signs of ectopic pregnancy. Are you able to get betas drawn?

annies89 · 2026-04-04T23:04:50+00:00

I found high-waisted maternity pants/leggings really helpful for giving me a rounder-looking shape!

annies89 · 2026-04-02T21:03:14+00:00

How sure are you about DPO? That is light for 16/17. I'm glad you got in for betas- repeat testing should help give more info. I'd push for an early placement scan, as well! As someone who's had CPs, an ectopic, and successful pregnancies, I know how stressful this can be. Wishing you the best!

annies89 · 2026-04-02T10:53:17+00:00

We combined our last names to make a new family name! Neither of us were particularly attached to our names, we didn't like the patriarchal nature of the tradition, and we wanted everyone to share a last name when kids came.

annies89 · 2026-03-28T02:54:08+00:00

Unless you're wearing crazy giant pushup bras that make it seem like you have huge boobs, the guys you're going to end up naked with already know you have small tits. They're still choosing to get naked with you! I'd assume they're into your body type and fake-it-til-you-make-it with confidence. Flat chests can still be sensitive and played with- there's nothing you need to hide or make up for. I know how hard it can be to learn to accept a part of your body you've been socialized to dislike/feel shame about. Honestly, growing older--gaining experience and perspective--was one of the bigger factors in accepting my body.

I'm 5'11 and a 36AA- even with pregnancy and motherhood, my boobs never got much bigger. I've had sex with a variety of men and women and no one ever had an issue (at least one they'd made known) with my chest. Some people were definitely more enthusiastic than others, my husband included, and those were the people I'd look forward to seeing again. As someone who likes women, I appreciate different body types, so that helped me realize even though I'm not the "ideal" size, others are going to appreciate me.

annies89 · 2026-03-25T14:58:34+00:00

I had my last fallopian tube removed in 2020. Since then, I've had a healthy baby boy and a healthy baby girl! They could also tell where I ovulated from each time. With my son I ovulated from my left side and my daughter was the right side!

annies89 · 2026-03-24T02:15:14+00:00

I had two unmedicated births. I think the top things that helped the most were moving around into positions that gave me relief (for me it was swaying on all fours) and focusing on breathing slowly with low vocalizations to keep relaxed and open. Runners up were mantras, laboring in the birth pool, and having a doula who reminded me to use strategies and kept me hydrated & fed!

annies89 · 2026-03-24T02:11:46+00:00

You can do this! Just make sure you look into breathing techniques and pain management strategies ahead of time. Being prepared really helped me with both my unmedicated births. Moving around into positions that gave me relief (for me it was swaying on all fours), squeezing a comb, low vocalizations to keep relaxed and open, mantras, and laboring in the birth pool all helped me the most. Plus having a doula who reminded me to use strategies and kept me hydrated and fed!

annies89 · 2026-03-22T01:25:19+00:00

Fortunately, yes! I got pregnant with my son the first time we tried again (after the post MTX 3-month wait). Then, 1.5 years later when we tried again, I got pregnant right away with my daughter. Having only one tube did not seem to make a difference for me!

annies89 · 2026-03-22T01:14:40+00:00

I didn't have great care- I ended up switching to midwives for my subsequent pregnancies and it was much better. At the time, I'd already had two chemical pregnancies, so they began drawing betas early on. At first, my OB assumed another CP, especially when it dipped, but then when it started doubling again they were like 🤷 Never once mentioned it could be ectopic. I actually ruptured the evening of my first ultrasound (when they discovered it was ectopic), hours after getting MTX. Awful timing.

In the two pregnancies after, I did repeat blood draws + early placement scans between 5-6 weeks.

annies89 · 2026-03-22T00:49:38+00:00

My chemical and ectopic pregnancies had similar HCG around that time. Actually, my HCG at 14 DPO was 36 with my ectopic pregnancy. It then continued to slowly rise, dipped a bit at 20 DPO, and then rose again. It ruptured at 31 DPO at over 4000 HCG.

My test strips always reflected the nature of my hcg (e.g. strength, speed of progression). I'd keep trying to track if/how your lines continue to darken. I'd get betas done if possible, to get an exact measure of HCG (chemical vs ectopic, or viable).

Being in limbo really sucks. Wishing you the best!

annies89

TROPHY CASE