Doing a pregnancy test once a week until 12 week scan?

[JellyBabyzz]

I am only 5 weeks in and I am driving myself crazy thinking my symptoms have stopped and the worst has happened.

I wondered, if I were to take a pregnancy test once a week until my 12 weeks scan, I assume if it came back ‘pregnant’, it would confirm that all is well. And that if it came back ‘not pregnant’ then the worst has in fact happened.

Is this how it works or have I got it totally wrong? And is this a crazy idea? I don’t want an early scan as if I had it done in say week 8, I would just worry from weeks 9-12. Sorry if I come across as insane in this post.

I did one a week until I was 8 weeks as I had convinced myself something was wrong. Lack of symptoms or symptoms stopping is not a sign that something is wrong, they come and go. I've had hardly any symptoms at all and am 17 weeks. I also believe that you can still have a positive pregnancy test after a MC, I think it's because of the left over HCG? But I could be totally wrong about that.

I wouldn't worry unless you've had bright red bleeding, enough to need a pad.

Unfortunately pregnancy tests don’t work like that. I understand you’re nervous, I don’t know anyone who isn’t but you need to address your worry rather than placating it.

Yes this is a crazy idea. I understand your worry but I don’t think testungbsll the time will help.bThe tests stop being reliable after a certain point anyway.

Stop taking tests and speak to someone about your anxiety. After a certain point tests will continue to show up as pregnant regardless due to the amount of pregnancy hormone in your system.

Not sure if that would work, I know after miscarriages it can take a few weeks to stop getting ‘pregnant’ on the digital test.

Also with the line tests, the lines can often get fainter as your progress with pregnancy despite all being well.

Unfortunately not, I took a test most days until around 7 weeks and then discovered it can still show positive even weeks after a miscarriage.

I booked a private scan at 8 weeks and it did give me some peace of mind seeing a nice strong heartbeat. But after about 3 days I did go back to worrying, but at least I knew something was there and I had made it until 8 weeks.

Good luck, congratulations and sending positive vibes your way!

Sorry about typos! But the tests won’t cause any less worry than a reassurance scan.

I’m sorry to say that a positive pregnancy test does not mean that all is well. I had a strong positive test the day I went for my scan and was told my baby had died.

You don’t sound insane at all, it is a very worrying time! You might find it helpful to talk about your fears with your partner/a friend. Sadly there is just no way of knowing that everything is okay, but every day that passes with your baby is precious and the odds of a successful pregnancy are in your favour!

Meh I did. I wouldn't take it as gospel but seeing the lines getting darker and darker made me feel much better. Totally up to you. Maybe an early scan would help though

Unfortunately with a missed miscarriage, you usually have all the pregnancy hormones until after the baby has passed (either naturally or with surgical or medical management). Even then, it can take quite a long time for the hormones to leave your body. So unfortunately pregnancy tests aren't a reliable way of checking. If you see a heartbeat at around week 9 then the likelihood of miscarriage falls a fair way, so perhaps look at the stats and think about booking a scan for then.

Hi, no experience of this myself, but I believe it wouldn't be accurate. The tests detect even the smallest amount of hormones, which would still be in your system after a miscarriage, and even after birth, for potentially several weeks. I know the wait between appointments and scans is an anxious one, but repeat strip tests will be expensive, and inaccurate. Even worse they could give you false security if something actually is wrong. Don't worry about symptoms coming and going, it's normal, and not everyone's experience is the same. I didn't have any sickness whatsoever for example. Do talk to midwife about any worrying symptoms though. Good luck x

No this wouldn't work. It took over month after my d & c for a miscarriage before I got a negative test. Symptoms had all
Gone but still had enough hormones to show positive xx

I would totally advised against this, I think it would increase your anxieties by comparing the strength of the line on the test.

Also, unfortunately as other posters have said, it’s not reliable. I had a miscarriage at 12 weeks- baby had stopped growing at 6 weeks. I had positive tests until at least a weeks after the miscarriage.
I know it’s hard but try and relax and enjoy your pregnancy.

Pregnancy anxiety is so horrible. I hope all goes well for you.

Pregnancy tests don’t confirm whether all is well with the baby. I had a mmc many years ago and was told to keep testing after the surgical management to make sure nothing was left behind. There wasn’t anything left behind but it still took seven weeks of gradually decreasing lines until I got a negative. In total, it was almost three months after the baby had died that I finally got a negative test.

Doesnt work like that sorry. I took a digital and got 3 plus weeks pregnant and miscarried at 11.5 weeks the next day. I had a similar thought to you.

Just to say, that if you go for an early scan, wait until at least eight weeks to do it, or odds are you'll be back on here riddled with anxiety after your six week scan couldn't find a heartbeat, facing a week of worry until they can rescan.

You need to try and think positively that your body is strong and all is well. It's going to be a LONG 9 months otherwise.

I was the same as you, mentally getting through each day and counting the days and weeks. I had a scan every 4 weeks as I was having twins. Try and keep busy until your 12 week scan then buy a Doppler so you can listen to the heart beat at home each night. They tell you not to buy one as it's medical equipment, but it was a massive weight off my shoulders just hearing their heart beats.

Everything will be fine :) x

I totally understand, I carried on doing them until maybe 9ish weeks at which point I had a moment and asked myself why I was spending all this money unnecessarily!

Itll be ok! Dont waste your pennies

This doesn't make sense at all sorry - I had a missed miscarriage and it most defiantly would of showed I was still pregnant until after I had the procedure to remove the pregnancy tissue. If you're worried then you should book a private scan if you can afford to!

I did this for DC1. It made me feel more in control.

I also did this for my second pregnancy. It didn’t help. I ended up miscarrying at 9 weeks. Your body will also produce HCG for at least 2 weeks after the miscarriage. (My miscarriage happened suddenly, it was over quickly and complete but I still had a positive test result for two weeks)

You are literally peeing your money away.

I would recommend a private scan like a app If you can afford to.

Your more likely to have a healthy pregnancy than a miscarriage so try and trust your body. Easier said than done I know

I know you say an early scan wouldn't help, but it really took the edge off the anxiety for me, I had one at 6 weeks and 8 weeks. I know its a huge cost but pregnancy tests are aswell.

Good luck and I hope your anxiety eases.

I read that if you see a heartbeat at 8 weeks then you're 96% likely to have that baby. I paid £40 to have a scan at 8 weeks 4 days and saw a lovely strong heartbeat and since then I havent really worried aa I know statistically the likelihood of something going wrong is only 4%. It only cost £40 and was worth every single penny.