{"id":74960,"date":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-11-01T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fertilitysmarts.com\/2016\/11\/01\/10-ways-to-survive-the-two-week-wait-after-infertility-treatment"},"modified":"2023-11-09T22:38:26","modified_gmt":"2023-11-09T22:38:26","slug":"10-ways-to-survive-the-two-week-wait-after-infertility-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fertilitysmarts.com\/2\/466\/coping\/two-week-wait\/10-ways-to-survive-the-two-week-wait-after-infertility-treatment","title":{"rendered":"10 Ways to Survive the Two Week Wait After Infertility Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"
The time between undergoing fertility treatment and the subsequent pregnancy test is full of uncertainty, nail-biting anxiety, and obsession. If you have ever had difficulty getting pregnant, you will know exactly what this feels like.<\/p>\n
Known as the two-week wait (TWW)<\/a>, this period is the radio silence after treatment when you wait to see if the medicated cycle, intrauterine insemination (IUI)<\/a>, or in vitro fertilization (IVF)<\/a> was successful and if you are indeed pregnant.<\/p>\n Whether you have endured a handful of these waits, or twenty, you need ideas on how to survive this time. Here are 10 tips on how you can get through this two-week wait in one piece.<\/p>\n No one wants to find out they aren\u2019t pregnant after undergoing fertility treatment. This is especially true if you now need to go back and tell people you told about undergoing treatment that the pregnancy test was negative. Consider only disclosing your two-week wait to a few trusted individuals whose support you will need most when you discover your test results.<\/p>\n The two-week wait is a whirlwind of often very intense emotions. You could also be on several hormone treatments<\/a> and that alone is enough to make anyone more sensitive than usual. You may be frustrated with your body and its diminished fertility. The last thing you want to do is be around other women who are currently pregnant. Seeing others who have had success when you are in the midst of so much uncertainty can be difficult to deal with. Allow yourself the grace to politely decline invitations out where you know there will be other pregnant women around. (Read: 8 Ways to Deal with Fertile Myrtle Jealousy<\/a>)<\/p>\n Some women can\u2019t stand the thought of not knowing, especially if the wait comes after an IUI or IVF treatment and the pregnancy results will be delivered over the phone by a clinic nurse. To some, it\u2019s better to find out on their own, without an outside party being involved\u2014 especially if the results are negative. But to others, the thought of testing on their own brings on anxiety. There is also such a thing as testing too early when a false positive or negative can show and that needs to be taken into consideration. Whatever you choose to do, it\u2019s OK.<\/p>\n How many of us have used the Internet to look up aspects of infertility that only made us more distressed? The Web is full of horror stories and things that are just plain inaccurate. Do yourself a favor and resist that urge to Google \u201cpregnancy symptoms six days after transfer.\u201d Any questions you have should be directed to your doctor for the most accurate information.<\/p>\n Nothing will drive you more nuts during your two-week wait than, well, thinking about your two-week wait. Distraction not only passes the time (which could seem endless otherwise) but helps to keep your mind off the impending pregnancy test. Go out on a date with your significant other, grab dinner with a friend, or work on a project you\u2019ve been meaning to finish. Stay busy and you will have less time to think.<\/p>\n Light a candle and watch the flame as you clear all thoughts out of your head. Use lotion to massage your hands and breathe in the scent. Visualize your embryo coming to rest in your uterus and then implanting itself, snuggling in deep. Doing these techniques can lower your stress<\/a> and increase blood flow to your muscles, including your uterus.<\/p>\n Record your thoughts and observations about this cycle. Write down how you are feeling. At best, it will be the beginning of your baby book and if nothing else, it is a memoir of your infertility journey. Someday, you may want to look back on it. If writing isn\u2019t your thing, try drawing out your emotions.<\/p>\n Was that a twinge? If you suddenly hate Doritos, could that be a sign you\u2019re pregnant? Could that spotting be implantation or signs of an impending miscarriage? It\u2019s easy to let your imagination go wild when you desperately are waiting for something. The irritating thing about pregnancy symptoms is that they also mimic symptoms from fertility treatments. There is no way to tell if you are really pregnant until you take an official test. Though it may seem impossible at times, try to not think too much about your symptoms, or lack of.<\/p>\n1. Limit the Number of People You Tell<\/h2>\n
2. Reconsider Gatherings with Pregnant Friends<\/h2>\n
3. Take a Pregnancy Test\u2026or Not<\/h2>\n
4. Stay Off of Google<\/h2>\n
5. Distract Yourself to Keep from Going Crazy<\/h2>\n
6. Practice Relaxation Exercises<\/h2>\n
7. Keep a Journal<\/h2>\n
8. Don\u2019t Over-Analyze<\/h2>\n
9. Stay Active<\/h2>\n