5 strategies for surviving the two-week wait

Dr. Mark Denker’s Advice for Surviving the Two-week Wait

The chances for getting pregnant in any given month range from 5 to 60 percent, depending on maternal age, causes of infertility and the treatment you pursue. Your friends at Palm Beach Fertility Center understand that, despite the odds, we all have high hopes for every cycle. Surviving the two-week wait feels like a roller coaster ride, but we have learned some strategies that have served our patients well.

1. Think positive thoughts. When you want to sink into despair after a cramp, remind yourself that you are doing everything you can to get pregnant and that, no matter what happens on test day, you are one month closer to a resolution. You baby is meant to be.
2. Don’t overanalyze. Your Palm Beach Fertility Center team is happy to answer your questions about cramping, nausea and breast tenderness. These pregnancy symptoms could also indicate the start of a period, so we try to downplay the importance and advise our patients against “googling” the answer.
3. Form a clique. Be selective. Telling only a few, trusted friends or family members about your fertility treatment cycle will protect you from endless inquiries.
4. Prepare for the worst, plan for the best. What will make you feel better if you receive bad news? Staying in with a DVD … or going out for a hike or a fancy dinner? Tell your partner in advance. Meanwhile, act as though you are pregnant by eating well, and getting plenty of rest and relaxation. Pinterest has a section dedicated to Fertility Meditations and Visualizations!
5. Wait for the blood test. Taking an over-the-counter pregnancy test can give you a false negative that will cause even greater stress and anxiety. A blood test, administered at Palm Beach Fertility Center, detects a change in hCG levels earlier than urine tests.

What are your suggestions for surviving the two-week wait? We are experts in reproductive medicine, but you are in the trenches dealing with infertility every single month. We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts on our Palm Beach Fertility Center Facebook page, or comment on this blog post. It is our fervent wish that your two-week wait is followed by a nine-month wait!