Testing 'early' - helpful or unhelpful?

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Been thinking about this.

I never test early, always wait until my period is late to test. It just feels like I would be winding myself up even more. I don't want to be aware of having a chemical pregnancy.
But each to their own and everyone's circumstances are different.

But just wondering what people think generally.
Do you find its helpful or unhelpful to test very early on?

I used to test early and would stress out each time to double check there was a second line. When there wasn’t I’d be devastated. I would read all the threads on here about people getting positive tests at 8dpo and would assume I was out for the month.
My gp said I was causing myself unnecessary stress and my dh was getting annoyed at the constant wasting of money buying tests, even bulk buying cheap tests.
I eventually stopped and it was a big relief to not symptom spot and just let things happen more naturally in a way. I then missed my period and took 2 days to get a positive test. Just shows you’re not really out until a missed period!

Unhelpful and causes unnecessary stress as you might not get a positive until 14+ dpo anyway! Doesn't change the result so why do it is what I think. Only time I have tested early was, for instance, when my period was due new year's Day and I tested new year's eve so I could have drinks without worrying so much!

It's a waste of money and time, unhelpful and brings a lot of stress. That's the logic.

But emotionally, at 8dpo or 9dpo I am dying to know if I'm pregnant and literally can't resist the urge to check. It becomes like a compulsion.

With all 3 pregnancies I knew by 10dpo.

I used to test early 10-12DPO, but would spend all day re checking the tests out the bin. Thinking I had saw a line, then googling.

It dosnt help that when I was pregnant years ago I thought a test was negative put it in the bin, to take it out two days later and it be positive. Took another which was clear positive. I convinced myself that would happen again.

Now, I don't test I just let my period come on and I am 100% better for it mentally. I told myself the next test I take will be a positive one. So I want to make sure I am late etc before taking one again.

Personally I think it’s helpful from the point of view that if you’re having chemicals then at least you know that sperm is meeting egg which is a huge deal if you have to go for further investigation.

However I would never test any earlier than 11 dpo.

I forgot to add - I also think it depends a lot on your journey. In the early days of TTC I was desperate to know and would test early (although never earlier than 10dpo). My total time TTC is now nearly 4 years excluding months where I wasn't trying. I settled in to not testing after a while because it actually hurt more than waiting for my period to come.

Sorry to hear that you've been struggling to conceive for so long. It's so hard.

I have been on quite a long journey too and agree that learning not to bother testing early cane with 'experience'

All the best to you all xx

I always waited until day AF was due. It's very unlikely to get a strong positive before then so seems pointless. I kind of wish tests weren't so sensitive though! It's made waiting from 4 weeks agonizing this time around, after miscarriages.

I have always been in the wait for AF camp while TTC #2. I was one of those that didn’t test positive for ages with my first - wasn’t until 18dpo that I got a faint line. Ovulation was confirmed by temping and I had only had sex once so there was no other explanation.
This cycle I’ve broken my own rule and tested at 10dpo. Just creates a whole lot of stress to squint at barely there lines and then if / when AF shows the disappointment is that much worse.
I think it’s definitely better to wait and much better for my sanity.

The month I got pregnant I was so nervous because it was my last cycle of Letrozole before more invasive methods which I didn't want so I tested like crazy. 9dpo,11dpo,12dpo and 14dpo
All negative. At 16dpo I got a positive.

So it doesn't show up early for everyone... better to wait.

I never tested early. Apart from once, when I already suspected I was pregnant before my period would have been due, because I was nauseated. I was nauseated early with each of my girl pregnancies. So that one time I tested early - BFP! - and then got my period 1 or 2 days later than expected.

Believe me, it's much easier to have a slightly late period than an early miscarriage. They may feel no different, but your brain doesn't think so.

Apart from that one time, I always tested once my period was properly late.

I'm an early tester and I stand by my decision to test early.
A. I'd rather know if I had a chemical - I only have one tube and one healthy ovary. I've had a couple so far and if anything they've given me some hope.
B. I'm on medication that I have to stop the minute I get a BFP - by testing early I know I've done my best to protect my unborn baby.
C. I hate not knowing and feeling like I'm in limbo. At least with a negative I can just move on and live my life - ie not stress about having a drink or two, or what I've eaten, exercise etc. when you're TTC a long time you don't want to change plans or your friends asking you if you're pregnant because you ordered a soft drink etc.

That being said the waiting does come with experience as PP said. With my DD and in the early days of TTC #2 I'd get very excited and test from 5dpo, I'm a bit more restrained and test from 8dpo as that's when I got a positive with DD and it's very unlikely to get one before that.

I think the thing is with early testing is that once you start testing (at 9dpo, say) it’s then hard to find the resolve to stop. Next thing you know you’ve used 8 tests and your period arrives…
whereas if you wait for AF and hold firm, the most you waste is one test.

I guess I have a short LP anyway so on average I use 2-3 tests, you get 20 for under a tenner on Amazon so it doesn't feel like I'm wasting tests.

I think having this discussion is kind of moot anyway, people will do what suits them. I'd find it stressful to wait until AF everytime but I guess others feel differently.

"Believe me, it's much easier to have a slightly late period than an early miscarriage. They may feel no different, but your brain doesn't think so."*
*
This! Summed it up perfectly for me.

But I can see that for some, just knowing they were 'pregnant' provides hope & possibity.

But each to their own. Everyone is different and has different needs/circumstances.