Time never seems to pass as slowly as when you’re anxiously awaiting something important. And the two-week wait between your fertility treatments and scheduled pregnancy test can feel like forever.
While it’s tempting to buy and take multiple tests, it’s important to remember that the two-week wait exists for good reason and there are strategies for getting through it.
What is the Two-Week Wait?
The two-week wait refers to the length of time your doctor asks you to wait between fertility treatments and testing to see if you’re pregnant. Whether you have IUI or an embryo transfer, your doctor will schedule a pregnancy test about two weeks after your procedure.
Why is it Important to Follow the Two-Week Wait?
We understand you’re anxious to know whether you’re pregnant and hyper-aware of every sensation. You wonder whether abdominal pain means the transfer failed, whether cramps are a sign that you’re going to start your period, or whether bloating and fatigue could indicate pregnancy. It’s hard not to overthink everything.
There are two main reasons testing before two weeks is unreliable and could lead to unnecessary heartbreak. First, the hormones you take leading up to procedures like IUI and IVF can interfere with pregnancy test results, and second, home pregnancy tests aren’t as sensitive as blood tests in your doctor’s office.
If you test during the two-week wait, OTC pregnancy tests may detect the hormones in your system from medication and fertility treatments, and falsely interpret them as a positive pregnancy test. You may feel temporarily elated to be pregnant, only to be overwhelmed with grief when you learn the results of your home test were false.
Conversely, because OTC tests aren’t as sensitive as blood tests, they may not detect early pregnancy. If your body just hasn’t produced enough pregnancy hormones for the test to detect, you’ll get a negative result that also causes unnecessary grief.
Dos and Don’ts During the Two-Week Wait
What should you do during your two-week wait? Continue to follow your doctor’s instructions. Take all medication as prescribed to give your procedure the best chance of succeeding, eat a healthy diet and take a prenatal vitamin.
Aim to take it easy during your two-week wait. You don’t need to be on bed rest, but try not to put your body through too much physical or emotional stress. Gentle stretches, yoga, and leisurely walks are a great way to get physical activity that’s easy on your body.
Don’t use alcohol or tobacco during this period, and avoid activities that could cause uterine contractions. Your doctor will explain more about what you should and shouldn’t do during your two-week wait.
Strategies for Coping With the Two-Week Wait
It helps to make a plan ahead of time for the days immediately after your procedure. Think of this as a mini staycation to pamper yourself. Decide whether that means having friends over to take your mind off things, ordering takeout and curling up with a good book, or binging Netflix. Do your best to plan enjoyable, relaxing activities.
You should also decide in advance whether, and with whom, you want to discuss your procedure. Some people find it’s helpful to talk through feelings with friends and family, while others find it stressful to deal with questions about their treatments.
Your needs and wants may change throughout the two-week wait, so give yourself permission to adapt to what you need in the moment. Try any or all of these helpful strategies to cope with the two-week wait:
- Enjoy your favorite hobbies, with doctor approval
- Spend time with friends or family
- Join a support group or talk to a therapist
- Find a type of meditation or breathing technique that works for you
- Try to reframe negative thoughts to positive ones
- Learn a new skill
- Connect with your partner
- Maybe most important, stay off social media and fertility websites that could trigger anxiety
The more you can stay occupied with things you enjoy, the faster your two-week wait will go.
What Happens At the End of the Two-Week Wait?
Hopefully, you’ll have a positive result that will be confirmed with a subsequent test, and you can celebrate! It often takes several rounds of treatments before you become pregnant, so don’t lose hope if your result is negative. Give yourself time to grieve, and talk to your partner about when to try again.
One of the many things that differentiates RISE Fertility from other clinics is unparallelled access to your treatment team. When you have questions during your two-week wait, we’re here for you!
Are you ready to experience the RISE difference? Schedule a consult today.

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