The “two-week-wait” is the period of time between embryo transfer or IUI before you return to the clinic to take your pregnancy test and find out if it all worked. When going through a process that you’ve put so much energy into, a two-week-wait can feel like an eternity. You become hyper-aware of your body, analyze every cramp and sensation, and have only one question on your mind, “Am I pregnant?”
We know the wait can be stressful and you’ll probably have some questions about what to expect from your body. We’ve pulled together tips, tricks, and distractions to help you make it through! You can also check out our Two-Week-Wait Resource page for commons questions, journal prompts, podcast recommendations, and more.
Rest & Rejuvenate
Fertility treatment can be stressful on both your body and your mind. It’s important to take time to rest, rejuvenate and do things that bring you joy.
Here are a few ideas for self-care to get you started:
- Meditate or practice yoga
- Explore a new book, blog, or podcast
- Binge-watch your favorite Netflix series
- Order your favorite take-out meal
- Enjoy the great outdoors
- Connect with friends or family who lift you up
- Pamper yourself with an at-home spa day
- Gratitude Journaling
- Hit snooze on technology
Resist the Temptation to Take a Test
We encourage you to try to avoid taking an at-home pregnancy test, but we know that’s easier said than done.
Pregnancy tests look for the presence of hCG hormone in your body produced by an embryo after implantation. Though at-home urine tests work well when used correctly and at the right time, they can also provide false positives or negatives if performed too early. This is especially true for those who had an hCG trigger before their transfer, as the test can pick up hormones left over in your body from the trigger injection.
After two weeks, you’ll visit us again at the clinic and we’ll perform a blood pregnancy test. This test not only looks for the presence of hCG in your blood but also measures how much is present, giving us a more definitive result.
Waiting it out and testing on time can prevent a lot of unnecessary anxiety and disappointment. We know waiting can feel like torture, but we encourage you to do the best you can!
Find a Supportive Community
There’s nothing like the support of someone who knows exactly what you are going through and thanks to social media and the wonderful world of blogging, there are many online groups and resources that provide just that! Utilize a clinic support group, like ORM’s Infertility Support Group, or look for groups online that you can join.
You can also reach out to friends who have gone through the same thing, just remember; don’t isolate yourself! Choose who you surround yourself with wisely and connect with others who are going through similar experiences.
Learn Something New
There are many fun, creative hobbies, and skills you can pick up from online tutorials. Have you always wanted to learn to knit or crochet? Maybe you’ve always wanted to try and develop your green thumb and create your own leafy oasis? The two-week-wait is a great time to tackle trying a new activity!
Here are some ideas:
- Get creative with a new recipe
- Test your green thumb with some new plants
- Play a new card game
- Embrace your artsy side by trying painting or drawing
- Send a special handwritten letter using calligraphy
- Create something unique by knitting or crocheting
- Learn a new move and dance your heart out
- Start the journey to learning a new language
Set Aside “Worry Time”
It’s a good reminder that your attitude does not affect your outcome. Children are conceived in the midst of the most stressful circumstances imaginable, your degree of stress or worry will not cause the process not to work. It is simply, and unfortunately, outside of your control.
It’s hard to be positive all the time. You’ve put so much of yourself into this process, it’s understandable that you will feel a little anxious and worrisome. We encourage you to do your best not to let that anxiety consume you.
One tactic to mitigate all-consuming thoughts is to set aside time to allow yourself to feel any sadness, worry, or anxiety you might have. Try not to suppress these emotions. Instead, allow yourself to feel them fully during this time. Then, once that scheduled time is up, be sure to switch gears and engage in something that brings you happiness.
Avoid Symptom Searching
Try to avoid “symptom searching” online. Google will have a thousand different reasons for why you might be having the symptoms that you have, but the truth is, there are a variety of ways your body may feel post-transfer. Some individuals experience mild cramping and bloating, while others may not experience any symptoms at all! The effects of the hormones you’ve been given can differ for each individual and don’t necessarily point to whether or not you are pregnant.
Your care team is there to help you through this and will discuss with you what you can expect post-transfer. If you have any questions or concerns that come up, don’t hesitate to reach out, they are there to help you through this!
Trust Yourself & Your Body
Your body has been through some incredible things during this process and it’s trying to do even greater things now. Give your body and yourself the grace and love you deserve and trust that whatever the outcome maybe, you are exactly where you are meant to be.
Find more resources to help you get through the two-week-wait on our website.
