Truth: A bit of anxiety comes with the territory when you're trying to conceive. And if you're going through fertility treatments, waiting to find out if the process you've undergone is successful can seem to stretch out endlessly in front of you — which can feel hard to endure.

Fortunately, there are some easy ways you can get through this uncertainy while you wait to learn whether a baby is on the way. Here are some ideas for things you can do (or not do) during the two-week wait, as well as early pregnancy signs you might notice while you sit tight.

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Key Takeaways
  • It's normal to feel a little unglued. The two-week wait — or the stretch between ovulation (or a fertility treatment) and when you can accurately test — is real, and it can feel extra long if you've been TTC for a while.
  • Focus on calming, feel-good basics. Think deep breaths, decent sleep, nourishing food, gentle movement, small treats, and leaning on your people (or a support group) if you feel yourself spiraling.
  • Step away from early testing and symptom-spotting if it's making you anxious. Testing too soon can lead to false results, and many "early pregnancy signs" can look a lot like PMS. It's best to wait until your expected period (or your clinic's timeline) and take care of yourself in the meantime.

What is the "two-week wait"?

The two-week wait, or TTW in fertility-speak, is the 14-day interval between ovulation and when your period usually occurs. The same TTW happens after a fertility treatment and the date when you're supposed to take a pregnancy test, sometimes at a clinic or the doctor's office.

Keep in mind that the two-week wait is based on a 28-day cycle, which is actually the average length and doesn't apply to every woman. In fact, some menstrual cycles can be as short as 21 days and others may go as long as 35 days. That, along with the fact that you may be using treatments including intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF), means the wait time you might experience could be as little as nine days or a bit longer than two weeks.

The two-week wait can be highly anticipatory, especially if you've been planning your pregnancy for a while.

"I need to break out of my funk. It's all I can focus on and I'm paralyzed with obsession over wanting to test and wondering if I am pregnant or not," says What to Expect Community member AttemptingNo4. "I know I need to just put the dang tests down and wait a few more days, but it's so hard!"

Tips to get you through the two-week wait

It's hard to wait for a pregnancy confirmation when you're TTC — and it can be pretty tough for some to end the TTW with their usual period. To get through this tense time, try these tips:

  • Just breathe. Take some slow meditative inhalations and exhalations (or hit a yoga class) to help ease the anxiety and maybe achieve a small moment of relaxation.
  • Eat right. As much as you'd like to gorge on a favorite comfort food, eating healthy snacks and meals will help your mind and your body feel better (plus, who knows, you might have already conceived!).
  • Sleep enough. "Try to get at least eight to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep each night, as it allows your body to recover from the mental and physical stressors of the day," recommends Aaron Styer, M.D., a member of the What to Expect Medical Review Board and the Co-Medical Director of CCRM Boston.
  • Treat yourself. Feel like a pedicure or a massage? Both are soothing and distracting moves when you're dealing with the two-week wait.
  • Meditate. Dr. Styer also suggests meditation, even for just 10 minutes a day. "With improved focus, you can engage in effective meditation and, over the course of several days in a row, your 'images of pregnancy success' will become more detailed in your mind and body," he explains. The goal: a shift in your focus on getting pregnant and away from the anxiety associated with the wait.
  • Get moving — or slow down. A long walk with the dog or a few laps in your local pool might be a great mind reset. But if you feel like doing less, a nap is certainly fine too.
  • Talk with someone. What you're feeling is completely normal; your partner, best friend, sister, or mom are no doubt ready to hear about it. Get with someone you trust so you can vent, complain, or just ramble so you get your worries out of your system.

Download the What to Expect app for expert TTC tips and daily two-week wait support.

Things to do during the two-week wait

We get it — the wait is annoying. That's where distraction can come in handy.

"My first pregnancy seven years ago happened within a month. This time we were trying for 14 months. Please don't lose hope!" says What to Expect Community member Adrianna29MumtoApril. "I wasn't testing. I would wait until I missed a period since testing was causing me more heartache. Netflix, books, work, family. My main distractions!"

Consider trying some of the following activities to help pass the time:

  • Grab your to-do-list. Got old clothes to donate? A closet to clean out? Now is an excellent time to put your mind toward a pesky project you've been meaning to complete.
  • Binge-watch something. Ask your friends for recommendations of worthy shows that'll distract, entertain, and (fingers crossed!) calm your nerves.
  • Try stress-relieving activities. Dr. Styer suggests choosing things that bring you happiness and satisfaction, whether it's exercise, reading, cooking, or podcasts. "Anything that puts a smile on your face is fair game," he notes.
  • Find an online support group. Forums about fertility treatments or conception can be a great resource, as well as a place to share concerns and ask questions.
  • Write it down. Start a journal to document how you feel. Putting your hopes and fears on paper can help you understand how you're feeling and might even ease your mind.
  • Compartmentalize. It's not realistic to ignore your emotions during the TTW. The fix: Allocate some time during the day to focus on your situation — and then move on.
  • Choose your company wisely. "It's useful to avoid people, events, and activities that may make you more anxious and self-conscious about trying to conceive or how difficult it may have been to become pregnant," says Dr. Styer.

Things not to do during the two-week wait

Alas, there are some things you should try to avoid during the two-week wait. Don't:

  • Hoard home pregnancy tests. Buying up a dozen kits is expensive and unnecessary. Instead, it's best to wait until your period is supposed to come and then get one.
  • Test too soon. If you pee on the stick too early, there may not have been enough time for hCG, "the pregnancy hormone," to rise to the level of detection in your system. Rather than fret over a possibly false positive test, wait the full 14 days (or the time recommended by your medical team).
  • Focus on your body. If you leap for joy every time you feel an ache or pain, you might drive yourself nuts. Know that the symptoms of early pregnancy are very similar to those of the onset of your period, so try not to obsess over your body's various twinges.
  • Throw caution to the wind. Of course, at this point you could have conceived. So while you don't have to put your life on hold, it's wise to proceed with this in mind: Strive to be as healthy as you can by avoiding alcohol, smoking, vaping, and illicit drugs. Instead, focus on eating well and getting some regular exercise.
  • Bottle up your emotions. Seek support so you can share your feelings with your partner, family, or friends. Allow yourself a chance to rant and then try to let it go.

Early pregnancy symptoms that might crop up during the two-week wait

Keep in mind that Most early pregnancy symptoms don't show up until about the eight-week mark. But it is possible that you may feel some subtle changes during the two-week wait.

Also know that the following early signs are very similar to those many women experience when they're expecting their regular period. Here's what you might feel or notice:

Along with breast soreness might come some darkening or enlargement of your areolas as well as more pronounced bumps, which are called Montgomery glands. These are the body's way of prepping you to breastfeed your new baby.

As stressful as the two-week wait can be, do all you can to relax and focus on the positive. Talk about your feelings so you can get answers and feel heard, and then try to stay busy with healthy and distracting activities. Here's hoping that your two-week wait ends with the answer you want.


Two-Week Wait FAQs

You may have some early pregnancy symptoms during the two-week wait, which can mimic PMS symptoms. These may include achy breasts, cramping, bloating and fatigue.

Try not to take a pregnancy test too soon (which can give you a false result) or hoard pregnancy tests and take a lot of them. Wait the full two weeks (or whatever time your doctor has recommended) before checking if you conceived. It's also a good idea to try not to obsess about pregnancy symptoms or stay home and do nothing while you wait. Try to keep busy.

Experts say it's safe to drink up to one 12-ounce cup of coffee every day (about 200 to 300 mg of caffeine) during the two-week wait.

To encourage implantation during the two-week wait, you should eat a lot of fruit, veggies, whole grains, legumes, nuts, fish, and other nutrient-packed foods.