An IVF treatment is a journey. And the final destination can be full of joy and happiness, as our patients tell us when they thank us for our support in creating their own family. However, some steps of this journey are more difficult than others. One of the most mentally challenging periods is probably the two-week wait.
The two-week wait is the two-week period between the embryo transfer and the first pregnancy test. Couples may experience stress during these days. The first step to face this time frame is to be aware that it is normal to feel a bit anxious. Women usually can’t wait to take their test and know the result as soon as possible. However, our doctors recommend waiting and only taking the test at the end of the two weeks to obtain a meaningful result. Taking it before may further increase the level of stress if it is negative. Most importantly, it may be a false negative just because not enough time has passed by for a positive result to show.
Then what should you do during this time? What are our tips?
On the physical side of it, our doctors’ suggestion is to avoid activities like lifting heavy weights, but it is not necessary to completely stop any kind of exercise. You can still go for a light walk, especially if that makes you feel relaxed and helps you to free your mind.
It is crucial at this stage to have the right balance between mind and body. At Unica we see this as a priority, which is why we offer a dedicated holistic approach program. Unica stands out from other Czech clinics because we offer a combination of state-of-the-art medical treatments with Eastern medicine. We currently offer the support of fertility experts like psychologists, acupuncturists, nutritionists, physiotherapists, and fertility yoga instructors to support you in your journey. For example, one of the first steps to relax your body and mind after transfer at the beginning of the two-week wait could be to get an acupuncture session.
During the two-week wait, it may also be helpful to support your body and fertility through a well balanced diet. Some fertility-enhancing foods are for instance low-mercury fish, Folate-rich foods, fruits and vegetables, and avocado. What to avoid instead? Complex carbs, alcohol, and coffee are not the best fertility allies. For more specific and individualized nutritional advice, keep in mind that you can always refer to Unica’s partner nutritionists.
Once again, at Unica we believe it is crucial to have the correct balance between body and mind, especially in the two-week wait. At this point you will already have gone through the biggest steps in your fertility treatment, so it is time to relax as much as possible and minimize stress. We try everything we can to make you reach this balance at Unica. If you want to know more about how you can manage this challenging time and reach your parenthood dream, feel free to contact our coordinators! They will be happy to help you.
