Ideas to distract yourself during the two week wait after de IVF:
The IVF procedure is a trying time emotionally, whether you are using your own eggs or donor eggs for an egg donation treatment. It is filled with waiting periods: the wait to see how many of the eggs have fertilized correctly, the wait to see how many of the embryos have reached the stage of blastocyst; if you are doing PGD there is the wait for the results of the pre implantation genetic tests; and perhaps the most difficult one to endure – the two week wait (TWW) for the beta-hCG test to see if your treatment has been successful.
There are plenty of articles available on the Internet about what to do during the two week wait, which include important advice such as:
- Spend time with family and friends.
- Continue with your daily routine.
- Talk to trusted friends, family or a specialist about your feeling and emotions.
- Eating a healthy diet and avoiding alcohol.
- Practice relaxation techniques such as yoga, deep breathing or meditation.
- Avoid negative thoughts, although it isn’t always easy, try to stay positive.
- Ensure your take the hormonal medication prescribed by your reproductive specialist.
At OvobankID we agree wholeheartedly, and want to stress that it is important that you follow any advice given to you by your doctors.
In addition to all the good advice, at OvobankID we want to give you some ideas to distract you from the obsessing over pregnancy tests and negative thoughts you may be having. Therefore, we have searched the Internet and asked people who have been there, for some interesting ideas.
Here are the OvobankID 12 distraction techniques for surviving the TWW
- Give yourself a “pregnancy thought limit”. For example, say to yourself that you will allow yourself to think about it for, 7 minutes. You have 7 minutes in which you allow yourself to obsess, doubt, question yourself, google symptoms etc. Respect those 7 minutes, use them and limit yourself to them.
- Get outside! Nature is healing. Go explore local trails, walk by the river, visit the beach, the mountains, the forests. Hug a tree and breathe fresh air. You will thank yourself for it.
- Go to a comedy club or listen to stand-up comedy. As they say, laughter is the best medicine.
- Make a list of “standard responses” to be able to handle inappropriate questions and triggers, so that you can anticipate them and rehearse responses. Being able to churn out an automatic answer without thinking may help you avoid an emotional melt down.
- Plant a garden: gardening can be very therapeutic, and you can create and watch it grow whatever the outcome. Plant something special to represent and acknowledge your current feelings.
- Go sightseeing on your doorstep. Make a list of tourist attractions or sites of interest in your village, town or city that you have never been to: then go visit them.
- Take your dog, or your friend’s dog out, for long walks. Discover some new paths and walks in your neighborhood.
- Bath your dog, grooming and brushing and just generally enjoy some pet pamper time. If you don´t have a pet, now is a good time to be an excellent friend and offer to pamper a family or friend’s pet!
- Clean out your medicine cabinet. Go through all the medicines and throw away expired or unused medicines (respecting proper disposal of unused meds and recycling rules).
- Clean out and tidy your wardrobe. Donate unwanted clothes to a shelter or charity store.
- Re-pot your houseplants. Let’s face it, nearly all of us neglect our houseplants. Cut the dead leaves away, give them some new compost and clear away the dust, bringing life and cheer into your rooms.
- Clean your fridge! Throw away all the suspect half used jars and expired goods. If all goes well, pregnancy nausea may well prevent you from doing this for a good few months!
If you find yourself unable to relax and feel very stressed, don’t be afraid to reach out to your loved ones, or ask for professional help. And, remember whatever the outcome – you will get through it.
