Author: Alessandra Ripanelli (Fertility Nurse, NOW-fertility)
The two-week wait is the period of time between embryo transfer and the pregnancy test and is one of the most difficult stages of any fertility journey.
This uncertain time can seem like an eternity and can produce a flood of emotions to process, sometimes all at one; a complete rollercoaster.
It’s only natural to have a million questions and, for this reason, we always encourage our patients to reach out to our nursing team for support and reassurance.
During this stage, It is very common to become hyper-aware of every physical sensation. This is completely understandable, as this is the only way that helps to recognise whether the test results will be positive or negative.
Hormone medication can cause physical symptoms similar to those experienced by patients during the early stages of pregnancy. Equally, It’s quite normal not to feel any symptoms at all. This doesn’t mean anything in terms of the result, because until the pregnancy test is performed, it is impossible to know whether a woman is pregnant or not.
For this reason, although it is challenging, we normally recommend not analysing every single sign or symptom, and instead to take advantage of this period to take care of yourself.
Because fertility treatments are stressful for both body and mind, the two-week wait is a perfect time to get plenty of rest and relaxation.
Here are some recommendations:
Keep busy. Find ways to relax and connect with your partner and/or friends.
Nurture yourself. Use healthy methods to reduce anxiety and stress, like a nice walk, an extra nap or gentle exercise. Also follow a balanced diet, reducing the amount of caffeine and avoiding alcohol.
Be gentle with yourself. If any of your usual daily activities cause you to stress, limit those activities if possible.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. The nursing team is always available for support. We don’t only care about the medical aspect of the fertility treatment but also and especially about our patients’ feelings, to make sure that they are coping in the best way possible.
Find out more about how we can help you by booking a complimentary Zoom call with one of our Fertility Care Coordinators and Fertility Nurses:
