Thoughts on pregnancy testing

mlyster · #1 August 5th, 2009, 08:26 PM

So I have now had a m/c at 7 wks (march) and one at 5 wks (july). In each case I tested at 13dpo (I have tested earlier than that but only in BFN months). So this month I am trying to follow to some advice about testing too early. My ticker is counting down to when I am trying to hold out testing until. What are your thoughts about testing. I don't know exactly where I am in terms of DPO and wouldn't normally be testing until the 9th-10th (my ticker is counting until the 16th which would be around a week late).

So here is my question. Are we in fact testing "too" soon by testing near when AF is due and not late? Is it setting myself up for more heartache if I test and end up with another loss that will be termed a chemical pregnancy? Some women don't know they are pregnant until weeks if nto months after the get pregnant and they have healthy babies... would I be putting the pregnancy at risk by waiting until after I was a week late to test? What do you think...

Celena · #2 August 5th, 2009, 08:39 PM

You know what my mom said? She said to wait until a week late to test and I was shocked... I think it's different these days because everyone wants to know the sooner the better jic of illicite behaviour. HOWEVER, you're TTC and I think you would be taking good care of yourself so testing a week late will NOT be bad at all!

So hold out, I think it's ok to wait a little longer if you want to

momof6lopez · #3 August 5th, 2009, 08:50 PM

I do agree with testing too early and sometimes ending up with a chemical pregnancy that we would of never of known about had we not of tested until AF was late. I do not think its putting the pregnancy in jepordy by waiting the extra few days to test. Most women do not start prenatal care until 6-8wks pg when seen by their dr.s at their first appointment.

But with that said, your previous m/c's do not sound like chemical pregnancies. So I think you are good to go either way. Good luck to you, and hopefully the last two losses were only flukes, and this next one will result in your little baby in your arms

Kary♥RN · #4 August 5th, 2009, 09:31 PM

The way that I look at... With my first loss I tested after I was late. And lost that pregnancy within 24 hours of testing positive. Than with my second I got a + at 9dpo on a digi. (10dpo if I O'd early cd13) I'm not sure wasn't charting or OPK'ing. And I lost that pregnancy do to a chromosomal issue. If it is going to happen... it will happen. I think I would want to know... if I was pregnant, even if it turned out to be a chemical, so I could than go to my Dr and say ok.. now WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING, so fix me. This is only the way, I feel. I think we all have different views on what is right for us. And also were are we in our healing prosses.. and also in the prosses of ttcal. I can say I'm am starting to get very discouraged.. and even told my dh ( in the deepest drop on emotion) that I was done trying.. that I was broke. (Only because I was down since AF showed) But I start testing early... EXPECTING and BFN... But hoping for a BFP.. But again.. this is only me. Yes they are only internet cheapies... I will do a FRER at 10pdo... and after that I usally stop knowing AF will show.

I have to say I am getting discouraged.. and this last cycle... I had to think twice about testing.... OH WELL....

Kary♥RN · #5 August 5th, 2009, 09:39 PM

Duplicate post

mum74 · #6 August 6th, 2009, 03:15 AM

I think testing later is a good idea - as long as you've been taking your prenatals to reduce your risk of neural tube defects (like spina bifida) - as things like this form in a baby before you know you're pregnant. And of course, not drinking etc!!! I'm sure you'd be taking care of yourself so yes, it's probably a really good idea to test late.

I have been thinking about that myself - not sure if I would be able to hold out if af was late but my first pregnancy I didn't test until I was a week late because I had gotten down seeing bfn's in previous months and seriously thought I couldn't be pregnant.. so finally I tested and saw my lovely bfp!

mlyster · #7 August 6th, 2009, 05:47 AM

A couple days ago I thought for sure I was pg and figured that waiting until I was late would be no big deal because I already "felt" it. Today I am not so sure. My feelings have changed and some symptoms have subsided and now I WANT to test to see if I am or not. Maybe I will figure out when AF is due and test if I am 1-2 days late and not wait a week.

I do like the idea of calling the doctor and pleading to get me in earlier (my last pregnancy I couldn't get into the doctor until 3 weeks after I found out).

New ticker shows me testing at CD 31 (normal cycle is 27-29 days). I will be able to hold out that long (unless AF visits this weekend).

jensma · #8 August 6th, 2009, 07:27 AM

Good luck Michelle!

I waited until 15 DPO b/c i was sure i was out. My test was much darker on 16 DPO and then never really got a whole lot darker...so i have to wonder if that was it. Even if I had waited a week it would still have been positive. At least this way i had 8 days to enjoy being pregnant. That and I chart so I would KNOW that at 18+ DPO I am pregnant!

I had a chemical in March and tested VERY lightly positive at 9 DPO. But it ended before it even began. I had my highest temp ever that day, 3 SUPER light positive tests (different brands) and the next 3 days my temps crashed straight down. So now i have had a chemical and a m/c. I am like Kary, if this happens again I am going to the doctor and we are going to talk about it. I just pray it doesn't come to that, but with a history they are more careful with you, so i'd rather know than not know.

I have been debating about waiting to test until at least AFTER AF is due, like i did this time. At least then i'm not wasting test after test!

amandakay29 · #9 August 6th, 2009, 07:30 AM

Oh Michelle I hope this is it!! I know when I lost my baby I was at 8 weeks 4 days. The E.R. doc told me that early testing is great but back in the day I wouldn't of even "realized" I was pregnant. Which I thought was pretty insensitive but I guess she was right. I would of thought my period was really late or weird or something. I say hold off until this weekend and then get into the doc ASAP!! Good luck...I'll be lurking!

Trish36 · #10 August 6th, 2009, 08:28 AM

I agree that waiting a week won't hurt. The only thing for me is that I know my body pretty well and my cycles are never longer than 28 days, usually shorter, so being late would be a total give away that I was pregnant. Maybe before I started ttc I wouldn't have thought anything of it, but now that I am obsessing it would be really hard to ignore that fact. I think I would rather know than not know, even if it brings heartache.
I hope this is it Michelle! Sending you lots of baby sticky dust!!!!!

..Penelope.. · #11 August 6th, 2009, 10:59 AM

Only 6 more days, Michelle! If you need help holding out, I'm here for you!

mlyster · #12 August 6th, 2009, 11:10 AM

I know but it was 11 until I decided to change when I was testing... 6 is much more manageable.

Trish - I agree that being late at all will be a give away EXCEPT that this is a cycle after a m/c so it really could be longer without reason.