Secrets and Tricks to Surviving the Two Week Wait

If you are trying to get pregnant, the two weeks after you ovulate and have done the deed, can be a dreadful long wait as you wait to take a pregnancy to test to find out if you’re pregnant or not.

This time period is often called the ‘two week wait” or the tww.

During these two weeks it can feel like eternity while you wait to be able to take your pregnancy test.

When you want a baby and you’re struggling, this two week wait can be full of anxiety, self doubt, a list full of questions and the ever longing desire to pee on that pregnancy test as soon as possible.

What ideas and activities can I do to keep my mind occupied during the tww?

I’m sharing my favorite ideas and some secret tips to surviving those two weeks.

• declutter different parts of your house (have you seen our two week spring cleaning challenge– this is the PERFECT time to get this rolling)
• work on your fitness goals (exercise and fertility are closely interlinked)
• Catch up on your reading list (Have you read “Infertility is a Diagnosis, not a Definition” ? It is a fantastic ebook about how to mentally handle your infertility diagnosis without letting it consume you)
• Keep an eye on your diet (your diet choices impact your fertility on so many levels. It’s important to pay attention to what you’re eating and avoiding during these 14 or so days.) Eat lots of leafy greens, which are high in folic acid.
• Reach out to your support group and see if they are doing anything fun during the next two or so weeks to help keep you mentally busy. (I’m getting ready to launch a fertility support group on Facebook- you should join!)
• Pamper yourself. Take a bubble bath, get a facial, get your eyebrows done, your hair done, your nails done, whatever kind of pampering you like. Do it now. Enjoy your self care time.
• Adult Coloring Book- all sorts of fun coloring ideas. I was first really introduced to this while on pregnancy bed rest with our first daughter. It was a nice stress reliever, so this would be perfect for the two week wait.
• Try Yoga. Similar to working on your fitness goals, trying yoga is great for your fertility and overall health. Check out the free yoga sessions on YouTube.
• Go on walking or hiking adventures. If weather permits, grab your significant other and get out for a nice walk through your neighborhood, on the trail, through the woods, etc. Get some activity under your belt and help keep your body and brain active.

Many times this dreaded time, surviving the two week wait can cause women to stress out, which can impact your chances of conceiving a healthy pregnancy.

What other factors impact your chances of getting pregnant?

Have you read the post where we touch on the many things that are impacting your fertility that you might not even be aware of?

Your fertility age, diet and exercise habits all affect your ability to conceive. Their are a few more factors that all take a toll of your fertility. It would be beneficial for you to learn more about these things.

In fact, why not try out these TOP rated exercise and nutrition programs that are built to help you have a successful and thriving pregnancy.

Get a head start on providing your (soon to be) baby with a healthy mama both physically, mentally and emotionally by taking care of yourself with proper exercise and nutrition during pre/pregnancy.

When Should I Take A Pregnancy Test?

It can be really tempting to try and test early. Some tests claim they can show a positive test X# amount of days before your missed period.

While this is a great thing for some people, for others, it causes false negatives due to testing too early.

If you understand your menstrual cycle and how it impacts your fertility, you’ll understand the necessity to let your body and mind WAIT the full two weeks past ovulation (at minimum) before you take that pregnancy test.

You need to let the healthy embryo implant into your thickened endometrium lining and start building up enough of the pregnancy hormone, beta HCG, in your system for a pregnancy test to even pick up its existence.

Your pregnancy hormone level should theoretically double every 48-72 hours. So, taking a pregnancy test a day or two early in your tww can make a BIG difference in showing a false negative, when your body just needs TIME to grow and develop that healthy pregnancy you’re hoping for.

Keep in mind that the ranges for your pregnancy hormone level are wide and vast in numbers for each week.

A blood test can usually pick up some level of HCG in your blood at around 11-12 days post ovulation. But, most doctors won’t take your blood until you have a positive urine test.

Unless you’re going through infertility treatment, you will most likely need to have a positive urine test, which is picked up usually around 12-14 + days past ovulation.

If you’re going through infertility treatment, this is something you should ask your doctor – when to test- at your initial fertility consultation or throughout your treatment time with them.

FAQ During The Two Week Wait

Can You Drink During The 2 Week Wait?

Physicians recommend that you abstain from drinking your your waiting period to figure out if you’re pregnant or not.

Also, if you’re getting ready to start start on a fertility clinic cycle, most clinics recommend that you do not drink alcohol for a month leading up to the start of your treatment to help keep egg quality as high as possible (same for sperm quality).

Alcohol has been a cause of early pregnancy miscarriage in many studies, so it is recommended to avoid it during these two weeks and throughout your pregnancy.

Does Caffeine Impact Early Pregnancies?

Physicians recommend to limit your caffeine consumption during pregnancy and while waiting to figure out if you’re pregnant or not.

I hope some of these ideas help you keep busy for the two-ish weeks of waiting. Having been through this personally, surviving the two week wait isn’t always an easy feat.