The two week wait is full of hope and fear. And though there is really nothing one can do to impact the outcome of the impending pregnancy test, the question nags: shall I test early, or not?
In one camp, there are the ladies who would rather keep the hope alive while they wait for the official blood test (aka beta) to give them the answer. After all, what good would come from testing too early only to be disappointed by what may be a false negative?
In the other camp, are the “test early, test often” folks, who would rather know the moment that an HPT (home pregnancy test) registers enough HCG in their blood to confirm pregnancy. That often means going through many days of disappointing “negative” home tests while waiting for a potential double line or “pregnant” that indicates there really is something going on in there.
I’ve switched from camp to camp – and believe there is no right way to do this, only what is right for you, right now.
Testing early does certainly have some appeal – after all, the 2ww is likely the longest two weeks of your life. But, will the potential disappointment of a negative (potentially false negative if you test too early) outweigh the benefit of having some indication of the potential outcome?
I’m not sure what the answer will be for me. One thing I am pretty certain of today – I will at least test at home prior to having my blood test. That way I will have some indication of what to expect – good or bad. Somehow that beats first hearing the information from a stranger – perhaps while you are driving, or at work, or somewhere that you’d rather not be when getting such life changing information.
I know this is the eve of your decision to possibly test (unless you did so, today) and I wish you peace in whatever you decide. Just know that the outcome of this cycle will be what it will be, but no matter what, you are who you are…courageous, steadfast, tenacious, and deserving.
Victoria