Most individuals and couples who have undergone any form of infertility treatment report that waiting for the pregnancy test can be the hardest part of the whole cycle. This might feel surprising since infertility treatment can be emotionally and physically intense, but the time between midcycle sex, IUI, or embryo transfer and the blood test is likely to be emotionally challenging.
Your whole healthcare team wants you to be as emotionally comfortable as possible during this time, so we have created the following “Stay Sane” tips.
- Emotions and Outcomes: Nothing you think or feel will impact the results. Despite what others might say, there is no research showing that feeling irritable, anxious, or angry will decrease your chance of a positive pregnancy test. While these emotions are unpleasant this is a good time to practice relaxation techniques that work for you. Check the stress-reducing tips on the Prelude patient portal, and protect yourselfby avoiding baby showers,gender reveals, or social media if they make you uncomfortable.
- Embryo Security: Embryos or blastocysts can’t fall out of the uterus. So many women feel as if they need to walk on eggshells after a transfer, but the fact is, there is no need. The uterus is not a balloon; it’s more like placing an embryo between two pancakes, making it impossiblepfor one to slipout. Follow the discharge directions from your physician, but rest assured that normal activities like hopping over a puddle or driving on a bumpy road won’t impact the results.
- Progesterone Symptoms: If you are taking progesterone, it may cause confusing symptoms. Progesterone can mimic signs of early pregnancy such as tiredness,nausea, or breasts sensitivity. Alternatevely, you might feel nothing. The presence or absence of these symptoms does not indicate whether you are pregnant. Some women who conceive may experience bleeding or spottingup to the pregnancy test, which doesn’t mean that you aren’t pregnant. Everyone needs to come in for a blood test to determine pregnancy. And while squeezing your sore breast might make you feel hopeful, it can contribute to the soreness!
- Perceived Duration: The two-week wait (or 10/11/12 day wait) can feel like it’s more like a month! All cycles can feel long, and the more you did to get pregnant, the longer it can seem. While cycling, make a list of activitiesyou enjoy that can distract you while waiting. The more intense the concentration needed, the better.
- Supportive Company: Spend time with supportive and fun individuals, and avoid those who aren’t. Plan time with your “foxhole friends”, who support you without discussion their pregnancies, kids, or offering unsolicited advice. They should be happy to do whatever you want, even if it means watching the same movie for the seventh time.
- Screen Your Calls: Seeking support from family and friends can result in frequent requests for updates. While this is great when things are going well, it is less helpful on the bad days.. Appoint someone to be your contact person- your partner, mom, sister, cousin, best friend, favorite neighbor to communicate the updates. This way, you only need to share updates with one person, and others can contact them for information.
- Post-Test Plans: Set aside time the afternoon or evening of your pregnancy test for you and your partner, best friend, mom. If it’s good news, celebrate with non-alcoholic sparkling wine or beer. If it isn’t positive, take time alone to process, plan the next step if you feel up to it, cry if you want to, and indulge in your favorite snack.
- Balancing Emotions: Waiting for the pregnancy test results means balancing optimism and pessimism. Some people feel more comfortable expecting success, while others cope by assuming it won’t work. There is no one right way to feel. One way to balance those feelings is to have a Plan B in case this cycle didn’t work. It could be moving on to the next level of treatment, adjusting medication dosage, taking time off to improve your mental and physical health, or examining health habits. Anything that improves your mood is worth trying.
- Stay Connected: Remember, your doctor and their team still available during the waiting phase. If you are worried or have questions, call,or send message. A short d conversation or email can put your mind at ease.
- If you are struggling with this waiting period, consider the following suggestions:
- Schedule a post-cycle appointment to discuss how the cycle went, and plan for the next Steps if needed.
- Most centers have a relationship with mental health professionals trained in infertility. Consider making an appointment to get coping skills ideas.
- Check out relaxation apps such as Calm, Insight Timer, etc. Doing a daily relaxation exercise can help reduce anxiety level.
- Watch anxiety reduction videos on the Prelude portal.
- If your doctor didn’t give any exercise restrictions, take a walk, with a friend, or borrow a dog if you don’t have one.
- Binge-watcha new streaming show oryour favorite old movies.
- Visit Resolve.org or ASRM.org for more coping suggestions