Test each month or hold out for AF? What do you do?

[PJsAreDayWear]

I've been ttc for over 2 years. I went through a phase of testing every month from about 11DPO onwards, just because I was desperate to know. In that time I had 2 very, very, very faint possibles which I think may have been chemical pregnancies. But nothing else.

I've had a bit of a break due to endo surgery, and now I'm starting on the ttc train again. I'm debating whether to buy a new pack of internet cheapy tests, or not.

On the one hand, it's tortuous testing each month to see that soul destroying blank test. And getting to the last test of my bag of 20 was a bit of a kick in the teeth. I told myself when I got to the last one that I wouldn't do that to myself again.

On the other hand, it's good to feel like I'm doing something. It's also quite good to let myself down gently before AF arrives, so it's not so much of a shock when it does. And the 2 poss chems that I've had give me a tiny bit of hope that I wouldn't have if i'd never tested.

I've never got too upset about a BFN test, I just get on with it. I've also always thought that if I ever do that a BFP, I'll want to test every day for a few days to be sure.

So what do other people do? Test away or hold out until AF shows (or not!)

I started off testing early but found the shocking white blankness so depressing. Or I'd convince myself I could see a line then be extra sad when it came to nothing.
After a few months I promised myself I'd spare the heartache and wait until the day after AF was due. Got my bfp at 15dpo and it was clear enough for there to be no squinting or doubt.

i'm a holder-outer ;)

i tend to have a calm pessimism/realism which means i assume I'm not pg, rather than holding out too much hope i am. plus i don't think i'd trust internet cheapies (i know they're fine, but seem difficult to read) which could make peeing every month (at least once) an expensive habit :)

only time i've tested i was 3 days late (bfp, but mc)

Hmm so you both advocate holding out. I too have a pessimistic / realistic attitude these days, 2 years of ttc will do that to you.

Yeah you're right, it's probably best to spare the heartache.

But I just want to feel like I'm doing something ...

I was a serial tester, didn't help that removing my implant gave me millions of pregnancy symptoms! I was always convinced I was pregnant. Got a blood test done on cd22 of my cycle to be told I hadn't ovulated only to get a bfp 3 weeks later! The only month I was sure I wasn't pregnant. Hold out for your periods if you can it's much less stressful.

I'm on my third cycle and have held out for the last two. It was easier not even having any tests in the house.

The disappointment doesn't feel as bad as it's more certain. If I got BFN I think I'd still test again the next day, imagine lines etc.

I think the duchess has hit the nail on the head. A bfn is never really a definite bfn as everyone always says it ain't over until AF. It's the hope that wears you down.

PJ, I'm a poas aholic, 21 months in ttc no 1. I'd say it depends on how much it upsets you getting a bfn? I think if I didn't have any ic's in the house I'd end up spending a fortune on branded tests and would be stressing myself out about not having them available and wanting to test. I suppose the question is what bothers you more? I've been poas nearly every day for coming up to the 2 year mark, what with opks and hpts and so it's probably just habit for me now.

Good luck with your decision!

Are you seeing any specialists?

Well I currently only have one test in the house, and it's one of a 2 pack of Superdrug ones. I foolishly peed on the first one in the first flush of hope back in the early days. I'm saving the second one until I really think I may be pg, rather than just poas at 10DPO like I have been doing.

I went through all my ICs. and I know that if I bought more, I couldn't resist testing, so I'm resisting buying any....

It doesn't upset me that much when I get a BFN, but I agree with what people have said in that you're never really convinced it's negative until AF arrives anyway. But it's always that glimmer of hope thinking 'what if' and wanting to know.

Vap I've recently had a laparoscopy to remove a chocolate cyst, I have severe endo so they've told me to try another 6 months after which time I'll be referred to the fertility specialist and then likely on to IVF.

So no pressure on the ttc naturally before all that happens then....!