Dropping in from my "extended break." I think this is going to be a bit long-winded! Lots on my mind!
So I just had my third chemical pregnancy in 8 cycles. I am 39, so I know my risk of m/c is higher. I felt really good about this last chemical until it ended. The test was darker than with my previous ones, I had a few symptoms, and I didn't start bleeding until 2 days after AF would have been due. With the other CP's, bleeding started right when AF was due. I've been reading Coming to Term, by Jon Cohen. Cohen is a science writer whose wife suffered 4 losses before having two successful pregnancies over age 40 (they also had a child previous to the m/c). Cohen decided to investigate m/c--why it's so common, why it happens, and specific stories of m/c followed by either success or the end of trying. I'm not far into the book, but he discusses just how very common m/c is, particularly very early losses. If we aren't trying to conceive and/or not testing early with today's hyper-sensitive tests, we would probably have early losses we were never aware of. And most are due to chromosomal abnormalities.
So based on this knowledge of how common chemical pregnancies are, especially as we get older, and the heartache that comes from being aware of them, I have decided to stop taking HPTs altogether. I know that my body knows how to conceive. 3 conceptions in 8 cycles is a 37.5% success rate. And even after several losses, I still have a high chance of a successful, healthy pregnancy. I'm taking all the right supplements, I know I ovulate, my LP is fine, and my body knows when not to continue a pregnancy. If AF is late, I'll pretty much know I'm pregnant, and then it's just a waiting game.
There's just something about seeing that line and then watching it get lighter, or starting to bleed, that I just can't handle anymore. And I'd also rather just get AF than see a negative test.
Any other non-testers out there? And for those who have had m/c, either one or multiple, I highly recommend Coming To Term!
So I just had my third chemical pregnancy in 8 cycles. I am 39, so I know my risk of m/c is higher. I felt really good about this last chemical until it ended. The test was darker than with my previous ones, I had a few symptoms, and I didn't start bleeding until 2 days after AF would have been due. With the other CP's, bleeding started right when AF was due. I've been reading Coming to Term, by Jon Cohen. Cohen is a science writer whose wife suffered 4 losses before having two successful pregnancies over age 40 (they also had a child previous to the m/c). Cohen decided to investigate m/c--why it's so common, why it happens, and specific stories of m/c followed by either success or the end of trying. I'm not far into the book, but he discusses just how very common m/c is, particularly very early losses. If we aren't trying to conceive and/or not testing early with today's hyper-sensitive tests, we would probably have early losses we were never aware of. And most are due to chromosomal abnormalities.
So based on this knowledge of how common chemical pregnancies are, especially as we get older, and the heartache that comes from being aware of them, I have decided to stop taking HPTs altogether. I know that my body knows how to conceive. 3 conceptions in 8 cycles is a 37.5% success rate. And even after several losses, I still have a high chance of a successful, healthy pregnancy. I'm taking all the right supplements, I know I ovulate, my LP is fine, and my body knows when not to continue a pregnancy. If AF is late, I'll pretty much know I'm pregnant, and then it's just a waiting game.
There's just something about seeing that line and then watching it get lighter, or starting to bleed, that I just can't handle anymore. And I'd also rather just get AF than see a negative test.
Any other non-testers out there? And for those who have had m/c, either one or multiple, I highly recommend Coming To Term!
As to your question, I wouldn't call myself a non-tester, but I am dedicated to waiting until after a missed AF to test. I know that's not exactly the same...
I hope your new approach will be just what you need for a healthy, sticky bean.
