Not yet

By the way, I haven't, yet. Tested, that is.

I'll be 8dp3dt tomorrow (I'll translate, because I never knew what that abbreviation meant until a week ago- eight days past three day transfer). So I was considering going for it, sort of...soon. None of this waiting around until non-beta day for me. I always was a "slowly ease into the frozen lake, limb by anguished limb, while clinging on to the ladder" kind of girl- instead of jumping straight off the dock. Also, that feeling of being cocooned in the bubble of hopeful possibilities? Um, not so much, at this point.

The dilemma is, though, that I only have three tests in the house. So do I test for the next three days, which would take up me to 10dp3dt, and assume if I haven't struck lucky by then that it's a negative, barring any cosmic re-alignment of the planets ? Or should I wait until Wednesday and test from 9dp3dt onwards? That would take me right up until the day before the "formal pee test" at the clinic.

I know some of you peestick fanatics are thinking, for crying out loud, why not just go BUY another HPT if necessary. Well, the main reason is that the only convenient place to buy said instruments of doom is in rather close proximity to my place of work. So the chances of bumping into someone I know is statistically higher than the chances of my being pregnant. I did nip in there this evening, thinking it might be a bit quieter, but sure enough I ran into someone I knew. Albeit she knew what I was doing there, so it was cool.

However, to make matters worse, the drugstore in question stocks the pregnancy tests on the shelf just below all the condoms. Oh, this does make me laugh- it's like they are saying, "HERE. If THIS failed, you'll surely be needing THIS." But it does add slightly to the scope for embarrassment factor.

Also, good grief, but these things are expensive! Not to come across as totally tightfisted, but I felt a bit put out as I handed over my credit card- surely for that price I should get a cupcake or a fluffy toy, or something. I mean, I couldn't help but notice that the condoms aren't cheap either, but at least when you buy those there's a fighting chance of having a bit of fun in the bargain, no? I suggest they instigate some sort of HPT loyalty scheme- like at the nearby Large Coffee Conglomerate where you get a little punch card to chalk up all your grande mocha lattes, and the tenth one is free. Think of the marketing possibilities- Buy Ten and Pee for Free! That sort of thing. HPT obsessives everywhere would be all over it, probably buying extras (as if any inducement was ever really needed) just to get the free one.

Can you tell I'm getting a little antsy over here? Well, yeah.

Comments

[zhl]

Well, at least you haven't lost your sense of humor as you've gotten antsy. Hang in there. No advice or assvice to give. Just know that I'm thinking of you.

[LEB]

I'm impressed with your resistance to the siren call of the stick. I'm a complete addict - my plan is to buy a pack of 30 internet cheapies and test from the first day after transfer. That way I'll have the novelty of a positive from the trigger and be thoroughly desensitized to negative by the time I get to beta day. Cunning!

Hope you are managing to cling to some shred of sanity; wishing you v. good things.

[MsPrufrock]

Phew...thanks for the xdays past x day transfer translation. I never had an idea until now; it just sounded like gibberish to me.

I agree with the prices of pregnancy tests. Oy. I try to buy them in packs of two because I know they'll both be used eventually, or in a matter of days from taking the first.

I wish you ongoing sanity in these trying times. You blog sanely, even if you don't feel sane in "real life".

[alex]

Ok as a self admitting pee whore I say test !!!!!!!!!!! Yesterday! Today! Tomorrow! Morning noon and night!

Ok with less exuberance. I would say one tomorrow morning and then every other day because you should test now to see if the HCG is out of the system and then when you do or if you do get the positive then you know that it is so.

Is that what you asked? Damn sorry I rambled on so I hope that was the question. It is just that I start drooling over the tests and get crazy.

[Mellie]

As I sit waiting desperately for a phone call from the clinic as to whether or not I am or aren't (whether or not the iui worked or didn't) I can attest that had I taken a test previously perhaps I wouldn't have spent today the nervous wreck that I am.

Wishing you good news.

[Lisa]

De-lurking to say ... don't do it!! Those couple of extra days that you don't know can be filled with blissful ignorance.... possibilities still possible. I am a veteran of 5 IVF cycles (on my 5th now) and the one cycle I did the HPT it made the last couple of days of the 2ww even worse.... but up to you.

[Dead Bug]

As a big bokking HPT chicken, I did not test till beta day. Then, that afternoon, after getting the results, I peed on a stick and saw a very faint second line. That was 11DP3DT and the line was quite light, even though my hCG was over 100. If I had tested a couple of days before, I honestly do not know if I would have seen a line. As for the trigger shot, my RE says they last no more than seven days, so I would guess that you're safe from a false-positive.

On pins and needles waiting with you, Mare!

--Bugs

[Susan / holdingpattern]

I do better when I don't test. At least I have another day or two in the sum of my life that are happy or neutral, as opposed to hopeless and depressed.

[Amanda]

I'm all for breaking out the HPTs. With that said, I've found that the earlier I start testing, the crazier I become. This cycle I started testing on 10d3dt (the day before beta) and that worked well. Good luck whenever you decide to do the deed.

[Julie]

http://www.early-pregnancy-tests.com/index.html

I should own stock in this freaking company!

I hope you get to show us some pretty pictures of lines, pretty pink lines :)

[liz]

No advice, just hugs.

[PJ]

I am a tester rather than not. I'd test tomorrow and if there's not even a hint of anything wait 2 days. That way you're not wasting all of them at once.

Good luck to you. Everything is crossed over here. Can't wait to hear what the results are.

[Jen]

Ack, it's getting so close! I am SO hopeful for you, my dear!

What I did (not that I'm advocating it; just what I was comfortable doing) was: a peestick a day from 9dp3dt on. If my first one had been negative, I would have probably held off and done one every other day. An important thing to consider, though, is the tests' sensitivity--if they detect at 40 or 100 iu, then it doesn't make any sense to test very early.

Crossing fingers, toes, eyes for you, my dear.

[Suz]

I don't know much, but I can strongly advocate against stopping with a negative at 10dp3dt because it's exactly what I did and bought myself four days of bitter anguish, tears, and rending of hair - for a positive beta. The mind-fuckiness of it all still amazes me.

My thoughts are with you, Mare!

[Emily]

I'm a pee whore, so I can't help you over here.

Crossing everything and thinking of you.

xxoo,

[mm]

I'm firmly in the "have to know" camp, so I'd test. Hell, I'm temped to test right now myself and I'm not even cycling or having unprotected sex. Hoping for you!!

[T]

I've only tested for one cycle and will never do it again - that said, I would wait til 9 or 10 dpt. They do make you CRAZY! Good luck.

[Amyesq]

Two words. "Test" and "Test".

[OvaGirl]

And more thoughts from across the way... hoping hoping hoping...good luck!

[Nina]

Wishing all the best for you. Good luck!!

[Manuela]

I'm crossing my thumbs for you!

(Yah... I meant to say thumbs... it's part of an infertile secret handshake thing...)