Уou have just gone through in vitro fertilization (IVF) and you have been told you have to wait two weeks to find out the result? If that’s you, read on, because in this article we give you 5 tips on surviving the two-week wait.
1. Say “No” to overanalysing
The classic symptoms of early pregnancy (nausea, chest and abdominal pain, etc.) are very similar to those of premenstrual syndrome and are unlikely to occur on the fifth day after your embryo transfer procedure. So, just because you are experiencing those, does not mean that you are pregnant or not, for that matter. You just have to wait and see!
2. Stay away from early pregnancy tests
Popular pregnancy tests are effective only after your menstrual period is delayed which is about 2 weeks after your embryo transfer. They use the level of a hormone called hCG (human chorionic gonadotrophin) in the urine to determine whether you are pregnant or not. Since many hormonal stimulation protocols for IVF include hCG (e.g. in the form of Pregnyl), doing a pregnancy test too early could give you a false positive result. Blood tests remain the most reliable method for confirming a pregnancy, so when the time comes, it is best to go to a medical laboratory or another suitable health institution rather than the drug store.
3. Consult with your doctor, not the internet
You may think that the internet holds such vast amounts of information that it can answer all of your questions. The problem, however, is that the source of all that information is not proven to be reliable and in many cases is not even known. That is why when it comes to your health and whether you get pregnant or not, the only source of information is your obstetrician-gynecologist and the medical team working with him/her.
4. Meet with people and be physically active
Unless your condition requires it, there is no reason for you to lie down all day. Moderate exercise and other types of physical activity lead to the release of endorphins which make you feel happier. At the same time, walking around and meeting up with people can act as a pleasant distraction.
5. Stay positive about the future regardless of the result
Nothing you do in these two weeks can change the test result for the better. If it is negative, it’s not because you did not lay down enough, you yelled at your partner, or you cried several times. Self-accusations will only make things worse. The best thing you can do is to go on with your life and think positively about the future!