How much testing is too much?

[MissHoney85]

So I have been TTC for a few years, had IVF in January which resulted in the very faintest of chemical pregnancies, and now have unexpectedly become pregnant naturally.

Probably as a result of my experiences, I seem to be becoming fixated on line progression. I've POAS the last three mornings using various tests, and can see the line darkening (now 14dpo). But it's causing me a lot of anxiety - I keep going back to check and compare, double guessing myself etc. I got my OH to stock up on more tests this morning but am now thinking maybe it's best just to go cold turkey on them. Any advice on how to wean yourself off them, or other advice about managing early pregnancy anxiety in general?

What will be will be, no matter how much or little you test. For your own sanity, when you've got a definite BFP, throw the rest of the tests away and let nature take its course.

@Mucklowe thanks for that ☺️ I know that logically, I guess I just feel like I want some warning if things are going wrong. But like you say, there's nothing I can do about it so I guess I should just try to enjoy each day that I get to at least believe I'm pregnant...

You already know the answer yourself but that doesn't make it any easier to stop, does it?

I got my BFP then checked again 2 days later and that was it....I'm now 26 weeks. Obsessing over line progression won't change anything and will just make you feel more stressed and anxious which isn't good for the baby.
Line progression isn't straight forward either so lines can look lighter or darker depending on.a number of factors. For your own sanity, step away from the tests lol.

If I remember correctly (and I'm sure someone will come along and correct me if I'm wrong) but doesn't the line become less noticeable once the hormone goes past a certain point, so you maybe think it's decreasing but it's not? Which could cause more anxiety and not what you need right now

I would say try and go cold turkey, but I completely understand where you are coming from

Keeping everything crossed for you

Voices of sanity! Thank you ladies. I already feel better knowing I'm not going to test tomorrow. ☺️ I have one of those Clearblue 'how many weeks' ones which I might try next week (all being well) to check it's progressed to 2-3 weeks but that will be it for me I think!

Anyone want some spare pregnancy tests? 😉

I know exactly what u mean about kine progression, once id had a positive i tested everyday for about 10 days just to watch the line get darker, i used Ebay cheapies so wasnt worried about the cost and they were all the same tests it just made me feel more confident that it was sticking, im 21 weeks now. You have to do whats right for you x

I did a total of 6 tests by week 6. 3 in the first two days then 3 over the next two weeks. That was more because I couldn't get my head around being pregnant than anything though. I didn't look at line progression.

Once it sunk in that I was actually pregnant I didn't feel the urge to do any more! Like others have said, line progression doesn't actually tell you anything, and the week indicators are notoriously unreliable and cause a lot of anxiety!

I had a chemical before this pregnancy and not testing made my anxiety much worse. I tested using FRER until I got a dye stealer then tested daily some times more with a 20 pack of cheapies I brought from amazon 🙈

No harm if it makes you feel better.

An IVF’er here... would say this is probably half the tests I took...!!! X

Ivfer here too and conceived through first cycle. I tested every day a few times for weeks. Your not doing any harm, don’t get caught up on the darkness of the lines though. Book yourself an early scan if you need more reassurance, anything from 6 weeks and congratulations 🥳 😃
I think after ivf pregnancy is more nerve wracking, I’ve definstly found it more stressful than I thought I would! One step at a time is my advice xx

I did a LOT - I just couldn't believe it was real and I had no symptoms whatsoever! I tried to sort of wean myself to one a week then I booked an early scan just after 6 weeks and haven't done one since. The last I did was a clear blue that showed 2-3 weeks then I stopped. 12+5 and I know there's a wriggly baby in there - I've seen for definite at my dating scan last week and I'm still in a bit of disbelief ha! I think I won't believe it fully until I have a bump and feel the baby move.

I thought it was normal 🤣 I just felt like I peed on everything. A while txt, failed IVF, just about to start my next round when BAM natural conception!
I peed on sticks to check the lines going darker, different tests for different lines, clear blue to see the pregnant sign and everything 🤣
Hubby kept coming in from work saying 'what have you peed on today?' 🤣
It's because you can't believe it! So you want to double and triple check!
Even now my DD is nearly 10 months I have kept a couple of pregnancy tests!
Wishing you a happy and healthy 9 months 😊😊😊

Ttc not txt

I used to be an obsessive tester and also paid for 48hrly hcg tests at a private clinic but my last BFP still went on to be a ruptured live ectopic and everything looked great up till then with textbook hcg rises and tests getting darker so I've sworn to myself if I ever get a BFP again then I won't test so much (famous last words 🤣)

Thanks everyone, it's good to have some fellow IVF veterans' perspectives. I think that does make a big difference. My current plan is to temp check tomorrow morning, then if my BBT is still high try to take that as sufficient reassurance and hold off testing. Then maybe every other day. If I'm strong enough!

What a lovely story. I went through a similar one, after 2 years of TTC and a failed IVF in Nov , we were booked for FET in Feb. But 1 week before the 1st app i called and cancelled as i had fallen pregnant naturally. ❤ It's such a miracle and same as you i was afraid to get too excited and was anxious about anything and everything.
I know it's crazy but for almost a month I tested every day with cheapies because I liked seeing the positive results and once a week with Clear Blue digital just to see how the result progresses from 1-2 weeks to 3+ weeks. 🤦‍♀️😂
I had an early scan at 6 weeks and saw the heartbeat and my anxiety got much better even since. I am now 19 weeks.
Hope everything goes well for you and you have an easy pregnancy and delivery. Many congratulations to you both.

Yup. Got the T-shirt. It was twins so haven't poas since!

@DJBebe congratulations! I still can't quite picture myself getting there but I so hope I do. It's going to be such a long 8 months!