[tchelle]

I've been away most of the month because we've decided to take a small (very small) step back from TTC. I trying to lose weight so I can join the Air Force, but at the same time, we both really, really want a baby (and we're not getting any younger - I'm 29 and he's 32) so we're kind of torn on the matter.

I've only been doing some haphazard charting (temp here & there, occasional CP & CM). But having said that, I still have a pretty good idea of when I O'd based just on CM and the 1 OPK I had left from last month (you can not temp and not check CP, but it's pretty hard to ignore CM when you're getting lots of EWCM). And I think we actually timed our BDing fairly well (3 days before & the day before).

I'm pretty sure I'm 10 DPO. I don't put a whole lot of stock in 2ww symptoms. I've had cramping like I have previous cycles. Had the tiniest bit of brown one day, but I've had that previous cycles. The only thing somewhat different this cycle is it took a couple days longer for my cervix to close up and it's not as firm as it typically is in the 2ww (and sometimes I swear it feels a little larger than normal too, but that could just be my imagination). Also, it seems like my pee is darker than normal (still pretty yellow even after I've had a lot to drink) and has a slightly stronger odor. Also, I almost constantly feel wet *down there*, but I don't necessarily have a huge amount of discharge. I'm really trying not to read too much into things, though.

Anyway, I did one of my cheapie HPT's yesterday and this moning and both were stark white (kind of odd because I had the faintest of evap lines on them last cycle). I was at Walmart this morning and, knowing that the IC's are pretty much crap, I went ahead and bought a 2 pack of Answers. Took one after not really holding my pee or anything (had an iced coffee about 3 hrs earlier and nothing else to drink) and it was stark white too - not a big suprise. But being the POAS psycho that I am, I ripped it open after about 30 minutes and discovered something I've never seen on a HPT before. There is a very distinct line on the absorbant part of the strip. It's no where near where the test line should be, but it's perfectly straight, even width, and even color. I'm sure it doesn't mean anything, but I thought it was interesting anyway.

If photobuck decideds to cooperate, I'll try to post a pic of it.

[OnesOnTheWay]

Just out of curiosity.. if you are in the Air Force who takes care of the baby?? Do they let you take a break?

[tchelle]

Yeah, they have maternity & paternity leave (plus free health care among other great benefits). Plus, I'd be going in as an officer and be making pretty decent money so BF (we'd actually get married by the time I go in) shouldn't need more than maybe a part time job.

[tchelle]

Photobucket is being a pain in the butt so I'm using a different host.

With my crappy scanner:


Photo (you can see where the indent for the actual test line is -A- and the odd line in the absorbent part -B-)

[DeepSouthMommy]

Hi there! This is from PeeOnAStick.com

"It is common for a test to develop a line where the wick (the dipping/peeing end) meets the cellulose strip (the smooth white test area.) This is because the dipping end contains a "sandwich" (two strips with the dye/reagent in the middle) and is much thicker than the cellulose (thin, smooth.) The difference in thicknesses sometimes makes residual dye pool in that area. This can also happen when less urine is applied to the test (not enough to make all the dye cross the test.) This is still a negative result. These lines can usually only be seen when a test is disassembled or when using a dip-type test rather than a test encased in a plastic handle."

[Admin-pattyandthemoos]

Originally Posted by DeepSouthGirl

Hi there! This is from PeeOnAStick.com

"It is common for a test to develop a line where the wick (the dipping/peeing end) meets the cellulose strip (the smooth white test area.) This is because the dipping end contains a "sandwich" (two strips with the dye/reagent in the middle) and is much thicker than the cellulose (thin, smooth.) The difference in thicknesses sometimes makes residual dye pool in that area. This can also happen when less urine is applied to the test (not enough to make all the dye cross the test.) This is still a negative result. These lines can usually only be seen when a test is disassembled or when using a dip-type test rather than a test encased in a plastic handle."

Yeh, I was going to suggest this too. I have ripped apart more than one test and seen this. I am surprised you have never done the test taking apart thing before. I thought all of us crazy poasers did that.

I still think you could be pregnant though. Those cheapies are not very great and it is still early.

Glad to see you over here again!!

[tchelle]

Oh, believe me, I've taken them apart, lol; I've just never seen that line before.

I'm trying not to get my hopes up. I've been off B/C since January and we've had halfway decent timing at least 5 of those months and I still haven't gotten pregnant yet. We were talking the other night and we're both strongly thinking one of us has fertility issues but I know most people say you shouldn't consider that until you've been TTC at least a year w/o success.