To test or to wait for AF?

[Lauraloop1516]

Hi ladies,

I've only just joined the TTC club and am in the midst of my first 2ww. I've suspicions that we may try for a while before success - we've been married for a long time and have never been especially 'careful' to prevent pregnancy.

Anyway, after following a few threads here on ttc it's struck me how many women test before AF. I have a FRER ready and waiting - but still a few days to wait - but wanted to ask whether I'm better off just waiting for AF? Does anyone find one more helpful than the other in terms of dealing with disappointment?

[Sheep90]

Sensible advice would be to wait, but I can't practise what I preach!

[NeverHadANickname]

I waited until the day AF was due and didn't arrive. I really didn't want to get into the 'is it/isn't it' a line guessing game.

[Lauraloop1516]

@neverhadanickname - yes, I can be a bit of an obsessive personality type and really don't want to be consumed by the elusive line! On the other hand, I'm so desperate for a bfp that I can definitely see the appeal @sheep90!

[Lauraloop1516]

Is the disappointment easier to take one way or the other would you say?

[UnderTheSleepingBaby]

I'd suggest trying to always assume you aren't pregnant, but you will always feel a bit disappointed. I never intended to test before a missed period but felt pregnant on both occasions and ended up testing 2 days early. I didn't ever test on the months I wasn't pregnant though, if that makes sense?

Personally I wanted to try my best to avoid ever seeing a negative pregnancy test, as I think that would have been more disappointing than just getting my period. I'd say don't test if you have no reason to think you are pregnant

[NeverHadANickname]

I always thought having a negative test and then AF turning up would be like double disappointment but I never had to find out.

Good luck.

[Michellebops]

Having got caught up in the excitement waiting on here the first couple of cycles I was testing early then totally gutted to get negatives especially when you're convinced you have all the symptoms and want it so badly.

It's not cheap either as the cheaper tests from supermarkets etc are not as sensitive so you either waste them or go straight for the frer which are more expensive and waste money there.

Some people were spending upwards of £50 a month peeing early.

The most important thing I read was that only a small percentage got a positive at 9/10 dpo with it increasing slightly each day. Until you're officially late.

Good luck ❤️