Testing to detect "chemical preg" - opinions?

[TreeFrog7]

Hi All,

I understand that it's quite common as we get older to have early miscarriages that we never detect, or possibly just suspect.

Well, I for one am getting curious! As I've never had a child, I don't even know for sure if "sperm is meeting egg". If I detected a chemical pregnancy or two, which obviously would come to nothing baby-wise, I'd still be encouraged by knowing that at least part of the process was working OK.

I think I'll pick up some of the sensitive home pregnancy tests and begin testing myself at 14 DPO if AF has not shown up. My cycle is 28 days or so, so I could give it a try on most cycles. Wonder what I'll come up with!

Do you gals thinking I'm being too curious? I promise that I won't automatically start celebrating if I see a blue line (although I admit I'll be a little excited, naturally) - it will just give me more info.

Best wishes everybody,
~Wendy

[TreeFrog7]

No "report" this month - AF came a day early. So must for curiosity!

[Breezy300]

Hi Wendy,

You're welcome, and I'm looking forward to hearing your reports! :)

Breezy

[TreeFrog7]

Hi Breezy!

Thanks for all the info and encouragement. It all sounds good and healthy. Expect my reports!

~Wendy

[Breezy300]

Hi Wendy,

Thanks for the condolences. It was really difficult at first, but, as I said, it's changed my diet, attitude, everything. I only wish I would've believed sooner that pg was a possibility for me. I know you haven't had a pg yet (that you know of--my entire cycle lasted only 30 days last month--if I hadn't had symptoms that made me go in for a blood test, I wouldn't have known I was pg. I would've just thought it was a longer-than-average [for me] cycle and that there was heavier bleeding than usual), but I think it would be best to adopt an attitude of "Yes, I can! My body can DO this!" I know it's hard to think like that sometimes, but it really could help.

Also, I think you might seriously consider looking for an acupuncturist who specializes in fertility. I finally found mine and she's GREAT! Her entire practice is built around women in the 40s (and a few in their 30) who want to bring a child into their lives. She said that about 50% of the women in the 40s go on to get pg, and then the other half split between doing donor eggs or adoption and remaining childless. So I'm now thinking of it as I have a 50% chance of getting pg! That's a bit better than 1%, wouldn't you say? And, as I've also said before, even if I don't wind up with that little bundle of joy in my arms, my body is going to be better off for all this. Acupuncture is a nice experience--it leaves you feeling relaxed and calm. I can't necessarily say the Chinese herbs are great--some of them taste nasty--but they do give you a sense of control, and the feeling that you're doing something positive to help the situation. And Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been around for so much longer than Western medicine. I really recommend giving it a try! The oldest woman my acupuncturist has successfully treated (meaning she had a successful pg) was a 48-year-old who gave birth at 49. It happens!

Can't wait to hear your pee-stick reports. I, btw, am on CD30 and still no sign of AF, yet every HPT I take is a big fat negative. So I don't know what's going on.

Breezy

[TreeFrog7]

Hi Breezy!

Sorry for your loss - I think you feel exactly as I would feel in that situation. Of course it's sad, but I'm glad you take the whole thing as a positive sign that you can get pregnant, because it IS,

Thanks for all the info and advice. Yes, you make a really good point - if getting pregnant seems like a "real" possibility, then one will be motivated to be healthier, and that's one of those "win-win" situations!

OK girls - you'll be getting my pee-stick reports soon!

~Wendy

[Breezy300]

Wendy,

I do think you should become a pee stick addict b/c, painful as it is to get pg and then m/c (emotionally speaking), it DOES do a world of good for your psyche to KNOW that your body is capable of getting pg. It took my one and only pg last month to give me the strength to cold turkey go off of Starbuck's iced chais, Pepperidge Farm dark chocolate pecan cookies, ice cream, peanut M&Ms and a slew of other **** I was putting in my body on a daily basis. I am eating sooooooo much healthier now that it's not even funny. And without even trying, some weight has started to come off too. I'm going to order a fertility yoga DVD tonight as well. And I have a big acupuncture appointment today (hopefully, she will be THE one!). All of this is due to my getting pg last month. I figure even if I don't ultimately have my own child (which I really, really hope I will), I'll still benefit leaps and bounds due to my new healthier lifestyle. I just wish I'd started all this 1.5 years ago, but the REs did a very good job of convincing me that I couldn't get pg on my own. Pfffffft to them.

:)

Breezy

[Breezy300]

Hi Savanha,

I JUST saw your post to me! I don't think I'm very good an maneuvering these boards just yet, so I apologize for the delayed response. Anyway, I'm using the ClearBlue Easy Fertility Monitor to detect ovulation. It seems very accurate so far. As for topical progesterone cream, no, I'm not using it. BUT I did one cycle of IUI last year and that clinic automatically prescribes Rx progesterone suppositories to all women doing IUI. Eventually, I looked into it and thought, "If they gave it to me for IUI, why wouldn't I also use it when TTC au naturale?" Apparently your body only absorbs what it needs, so it can't hurt you. But you have to be sure to do it AFTER you've ovulated and, if you know you're not pg, stop after a couple of weeks so that you'll menstruate normally. My progesterone levels have never been tested (stupid clinic), but I did get pg the month I used the suppositories.

Can you please tell me how the topical cream works? Do you use it daily or only after ovulation, like the suppositories?

Thanks!
Breezy

[Savanha]

Breezy...

I am so sorry about your loss, I forgot to tell you that in the other post. Also, have you researched the benefits of using Topical Progestrone Cream? What type of monitor are you using?

[Breezy300]

Also, please know that is very possible to get a false negative with a HPT, especially if you test early. My cycles vary in length every month, so I have to use an ovulation monitor that I can rely on, but I never know exactly when my period is due. The fertility monitor gives me a lot more confidence than when I was trying to read the cheaper sticks and was never sure if I was actually ovulating. Anyway, last week at 10 DPO, I started having cramps and light pink spotting. I called my DH and told him that I was getting my period (what does AF stand for, btw?) and that we weren't pg again (been trying for 18 months--I'm 43). Well, 2 days later, the light pink spotting stopped, but I still had cramps and no period. So I took a HPT. It was negative, so I continued on my way, thinking my period would start any minute. After another day or so, I looked up implantation symptoms and realized that I had a number of them. The next day, I got a blood test and found out that I was two weeks pg! The bad news is that my hCG levels have dropped to 13, so I am awaiting impending miscarriage (found this out earlier today and am very sad), but my greater point in this moment is that the HPTs aren't always accurate, particularly when you get a negative reading.

Good luck to us all!

[SuzM]

I feel like you do, Wendy and just would like to know if I can even get that far. Our local drugstore just got refurbished and I think that's partly because I keep them in business with all of the FRER's I buy. LOL   During the two months I refused to put myself through my pee on a stick routine, I really believe I did have a chemical and I'm sorry now that I made myself wait it out. I wish I knew 100% for sure I did.

[TreeFrog7]

Great advice! Hee hee "pee on a stick addict". I think I've only done it maybe four times - back in the IUI days. Never got a positive then. Thanks also for the advice on the brand.

After all these years, I just expect my period, and I think I'd still expect it if I saw a positive. However, it would make me feel that conception is still possible, and encourage me to keep living a healthy lifestyle and to keep my stress under control (easier said than done sometimes!)

SSBD to all!
~Wendy

[adgal]

I was (and still am) a "pee on a stick" addict..lol.  I always started testing around 10DPO and picked up 3 chemical pregnancies.  I had blood drawn either that day or the next and although HCG levels were very low and the pregnancy was suspect from the beginning, it did confirm what I thought.  Whether or not to do it depends on how you handle it emotionally.  To me it was no different then any other miscarriage, except those 3 times I did not need a D&C obviously.  I got quite depressed at times.  On the other hand it was reassuring to know I was still conceiving.  I think it's one of those catch 22 type decisions.  Part of me wishes I had never know.  One thing I will recommend strongly...do not use blue dye tests.  I have had false positives on them at least twice, they are notorious for producing phantom lines.  I highly highly recommend the First Response for early testing.  SSBD to you!!