Unhelpful craze for early pregnancy testing

[LittleLottieChaos]

I think that there is a hugely unhelpful side to being on here. The early pregnancy testing craze... before discovering this notion of testing before a missed period I had quite happily waited and if my period arrived then I wasn’t pregnant, if it was a week late then I tested. (I have one toddler and sadly has one termination for medical reasons). Now after reading all those threads... even I was considering testing before my period & I did - it was as expected negative, and my period arrived 2 days later.

Does anyone else think that testing early is absolutely a stress and a waste of time? Of course it’s a negative you’re testing far too early. Why torture yourself?

Chuck in bad for the environment and a waste of money, these test making companies are rubbing their little hands together profiteering from suggestible desperate people.

Or am I misreading something? I know ‘each unto their own’ will be the response to this thread, but I would like to say to these lovely women, just stop doing it- you’ll be happier and you likely will conceive, testing repeatedly before a missed period is asking for disappointment.

(Duly note not a single acronym appeared in this post as they are also massively unhelpful)

YANBU

It’s not new on TTC boards. It was a thing 10+ years ago when I was TTC DC1. Some people find it helps them. Personally, it would drive me nuts so I have never tested until my period is late.

I completely agree. Especially considering the amount of inconclusive results and ‘try again tomorrow’ or ‘buy a different brand’ replies. I always waited until my period was late meaning every time I have taken a test it has been a very clear positive. No stress at all, just a definite result and excitement.

Yes it is ridiculous. And it also makes some people effectively go through the emotional process of a ‘miscarriage’ when they test 3 days before their period, get a faint positive, and then period arrives anyway. Women then feel like they have had something taken away whereas if no one was encouraging them to test early then they’d never know and the rates of chemical pregnancies are probably much higher than 1 in 4. You’re right also that companies producing the testing kits are the ones really benefitting here.

I was the same when starting my family. I knew it was going to be difficult but I was late, tested once and got a result. Few tears on the negative test results after a long time trying.

It does make me feel that the women must be putting themselves under so much pressure!

Just because it isn’t helpful for you doesn’t mean it isn’t helpful for others.

Yes l have been saying this for a long time that sometimes we can know too much too soon.

In my case, tests at 8 and 9 days post ovulation confirmed what I already suspected and it didn’t do any harm. I was prepared for a chemical pregnancy though. I can see early testing being very upsetting if you aren’t prepared for it not to stick.

With another pregnancy I waited for 18 days of post ovulation high temps before testing, past a missed period. In both cases, I was completely distracted by the thought of whether or not I was pregnant, but with the early testing the uncertainty was lifted sooner and I felt I could get on with things.

I think it is almost impossible to stop a group of human beings finding out something as major as ‘am I pregnant?’ a week earlier if they’re able to. With the NIPT/Sneak Peak sex testing before 12 weeks, few people would say not to find out, in case your baby doesn’t make it. Curiosity and impatience is just human nature and if you’re obsessing about TTC, some will be able to wait to test, whereas others won’t.

I recommend cheapy strip tests, rather than the remote control sized digital things, if worrying about the environmental impact.

I think, to be fair, that if a pregnancy turns out to be a very early miscarriage, it is better that the woman knows this, so that, if she has more miscarriages, she can be investigated for an underlying problem.

The posts that bother me are those where there probably isn't s a positive result, but the poster is encouraged to think there is.

I really am a dinosaur (DS is nearly 17). DM suggested waiting for 2 missed periods to be "sure". I tested around 6 weeks both times.

Yy one test one result, no stress. Why on earth test before a missed period ? and why the repeated testing ?

Sometimes knowing whether or not you are conceiving at all can be important information if you are taking a long time to let pregnant.

Sometimes women have to use particular medications as soon as conception as occurred.

I agree . It's very stressful and not good for your overall mental health. Ovulation tests are also stressful ( expensive too)

Yabu about the acronyms. They are part of mumsnet culture and pretty easy to get the hang of.

yes, when i was trying for dd, i tested, faint line, mowed the lawn, period, even went to the GP, back in those days you could see the GP regularly, dd is nearly 24.
a pointless exercise.

I also think it's sad when women who are desperate to conceive post test results that are clearly negative but they are desperate for complete strangers to see a very faint line that clearly isn't there .
Having a baby seems to be too competitive now.

Some of us are just POAS mad I loved the excitement/build up. Asking others to "spot a line" etc. As long as it is just a bit of "fun" and people don't get too overly obsessed, then why not.

"Having a baby seems to be too competitive now."

How do you get that women who are struggling to conceive are being too competitive. There is a strong lack of empathy bypass from some posting on this thread.

YANBU generally but I suppose it can be helpful to see if a woman is having many early miscarriages.

How do you get that women who are struggling to conceive are being too competitive.

Also wondering that....

Quite agree- for both my pregnancies Iwaited until I was actually late- this was 20 years ago though, so tests were expensive and less readily available.I can’t understand the obsession with starting to test a week before you’re due, as there will be a lot of disappointment with so many early conceptions not making it.

Yanbu.

YANBU OP. Testing early made me so anxious and it was completely unnecessary.
I also think that some women think it is a badge of honour to get pregnant “easily” and I felt very alienated by my friends when we were “struggling” to conceive (it took us a year). If we decide to have another child I certainly won’t be telling anyone until I fall pregnant.

@Diddumz

I think, to be fair, that if a pregnancy turns out to be a very early miscarriage, it is better that the woman knows this, so that, if she has more miscarriages, she can be investigated for an underlying problem.

The posts that bother me are those where there probably isn't s a positive result, but the poster is encouraged to think there is.

I agree 100%. If I hadn't tested a few days early, I would have thought my CP after my D&C was just another period and I wouldn't have had the extra care for this pregnancy which helped put my mind at ease that first trimester.

It's good to have the knowledge of CPs in case you need investigations.

Also, yes the "I see the line" when it's not definitely there doesn't help

That’s your choice if you don’t want to. But it’s really none of your business what other women choose to do and shouldn’t concern you. If it makes them anxious then that’s a MH issue and they can make the decision based on their own circumstances. But I’d want to know if I’m having early miscarriages and perhaps more importantly to know to stop drinking etc as soon as possible.