10 Tips to Survive the Two Week Wait

The two week wait, that lovely time frame between your most fertile time of the month to the dread of your expected period, can be a time filled with just about every emotion in the book. Whether you are trying to conceive naturally, undergoing an IUI (intrauterine insemination) or in the process of an IVF (invitro fertilization) embryo transfer, this timeframe can seem like forever.

The Two Week Wait Plan

Many people like to refer to the two week wait as a rollercoaster. Think about it, the early days right after your fertile window (or your IUI/embryo transfer), are filled with hopeful excitement. You are gradually taking that coaster up and up and feeling like you can touch the sky. As the days go by, you begin to hit the peak and fears come creeping into your mind. You start to symptom spot and question everything. As you get closer to your expected period or the day of your pregnancy bloodwork, you begin that downward spiral where your stomach drops, and your eyes squeeze shut. Your thoughts become overtaken with worry, and you lose the hope that you felt so strongly in the beginning of the ride. Quite frankly, it is overwhelming and exhausting. So how do we manage? Well, as a survivor of quite a few dreaded two week waits, I have some tips up my sleeve…

1. Be Present:

When we are in the depths of the two week wait, we wish and pray for time to hurry up. We try to protect ourselves by blocking out any thoughts of what we are waiting to find out and simply go through the motions until we near the end of this time period. As difficult as it might be, challenge yourself to stay present during this time. Take a moment each day to remind yourself of what you are grateful for. Ground yourself in the moment with breathing techniques or meditations. Stay connected to your body and your heart.

2. Stay Away from Doctor Google:

With a world of knowledge at your fingertips, it is beyond tempting to type your questions into that google search bar and be immersed in the dark rabbit hole of destruction. It is important to remember that every pregnancy experience is different and just because one person experienced one thing does not mean you will too or that you should for that matter. If you have questions, reach out to your doctor. And most important of all, trust your body and stay away from that pesky search bar!

3. Don’t Play the Comparison Game:

It’s worth mentioning again so I will repeat, every pregnancy experience is different. We can get so caught up in judging ourselves and our situation against someone else’s, but the fact of the matter is that doesn’t do us any good. Comparing yourself and your experience to someone else only causes more confusion and more stress. Let your journey be your own.

4. Eat Well and Stay Hydrated:

You have limited control over your fertility journey, especially once the two week wait sets in. What you do have control over is keeping your body as healthy as possible so that you not only feel good but are cultivating the best living environment to carry your future baby. So, plan meals that are full of whole foods and be sure to drink tons of water.

5. Stay Busy and Plan Time for Yourself Everyday:

It is crucial to have something to look forward to during this difficult time. Planning a portion of your day that you know is just for you, can help keep your mindset in a healthy place and make you feel less stressed and more like yourself. This can be something small like a 10 minute at home facial or something more elaborate like a dinner date with your spouse. Whatever makes you feel good, make sure to incorporate it into your two week wait.

6. Give Yourself Some TLC:

Being caught up in the two week wait, and undergoing any kind of fertility treatment, can lead to a loss of your sense of self. You can be so focused on making sure you take your vitamins and supplements and medications that you forget to actually take care of yourself through the process. During the two week wait, make sure to take time to show yourself some love. Go out and get your nails done (with safe products!), schedule a massage (fertility friendly of course!) or go to your favorite store and buy yourself a treat. Whatever you do to take care of yourself, make sure to do those things.

7. Spend Quality Time Together as a Couple:

It is so easy to become caught up in this waiting game that it can consume your every thought. The two week wait can be a great time to take a step away from babyland and focus on your relationship with your partner. Go out to dinner, out to the movies, out for a walk…or cook a meal together at home or cozy up on the couch and watch your favorite television show. Just make sure to take the baby talk off the table!

8. Trust Your Body:

Ok, I admit it, this is a hard one. Trusting your body is often a difficult thing to do, especially if you struggle with infertility. We spend so much time thinking we are broken or that our bodies hate us because they cannot do this one thing that seems so easy for everyone else. During your two week wait, the best thing you can do is send your body good, loving thoughts. Develop a mantra or use affirmations to repeat to yourself every day.

9. Wait to Test:

Ah, pregnancy tests. We all want to see those two pink lines more than anything in the world. We watch our clocks and tick off the calendar days to make it to the perfect testing time. But the issue with testing is that you could potentially test too soon, before your body can register your pregnancy hormone. Save yourself the unnecessary hurt (and unnecessary costs) and wait to test.

10. Seek Support:

If the two week wait, or your TTC journey, is making you overly anxious, depressed or feel like you are not yourself, it is a good idea to seek support. This can be through a support group in your area or with a trusted mental health professional. This journey is difficult, and it tests you in ways you are unprepared for. You do not have to go it alone.

Cristina is a licensed therapist with a mission to bring more awareness, education and support to topics like infertility, the journey to motherhood and beyond. With over a decade of experience in the mental health field, she has developed a wealth of knowledge around ways to help cope with emotions, tackle fears and barriers and live a more present, healthy life. Through her own experiences and struggles in trying to grow my family, she has found a personal connection to the world of infertility and new motherhood. Cristina is passionate about helping women overcome the mental health challenges that this struggle can often present. And most importantly, her goal is to help normalize and validate the emotional hardships that can occur along the way.

Medical Disclaimer:

The information provided in this blog is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider or qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this blog.