{"id":13679,"date":"2024-01-14T12:18:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-14T12:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/?p=13679"},"modified":"2024-01-17T16:38:46","modified_gmt":"2024-01-17T16:38:46","slug":"the-two-week-wait","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/resources\/the-two-week-wait\/","title":{"rendered":"The two-week wait"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>If you\u2019re trying to conceive, you might be familiar with the concept of the \u201ctwo-week wait\u201d \u2014 even if you don\u2019t call it by that name. The two-week wait, AKA the \u201cTWW,\u201d refers to the period following ovulation, during which a person or couple is waiting to see if they\u2019ve gotten pregnant. The two-week wait can be full of excitement, anxiety, and anticipation while you or your partner wait to take a pregnancy test, or for your period to begin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This article will help you understand the timing of ovulation and pregnancy, symptoms to look for during the two week wait, ways to manage stress and anxiety during this time, and how you can improve your chances of getting pregnant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key takeaways<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The two-week wait is the time period between a pregnancy attempt and being able to find out whether or not you\u2019re pregnant. Taking a pregnancy test too early during this period may yield false results.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It\u2019s important to take care of yourself and find ways to reduce your stress during this interval.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you\u2019re not getting pregnant as quickly as you\u2019d hoped, there are some easy steps you can take to check in on your fertility health and improve your chances.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Trying to conceive timing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To understand the two-week wait, it\u2019s first important to know what goes on during your or your partner\u2019s ovulation and menstrual cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The menstrual cycle starts on the first day of each period and generally lasts about 24 to 38 days (with an average of 28 days). The time varies between people and may also be different each month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A typical cycle looks like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Days 1\u20135: Menstruation<\/strong>, commonly known as a \u201cperiod.\u201d The uterus sheds its previous lining through vaginal bleeding.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Days 5\u201314: Follicular phase<\/strong>. Increased estrogen hormone levels prompt follicles (immature eggs) in the ovaries to mature.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Day 14: Ovulation<\/strong>. Luteinizing hormone (LH) increases during this time to trigger ovulation. The follicle releases an egg. If it\u2019s not fertilized by sperm, the egg only survives for around 12 to 24 hours following ovulation.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Day 15\u201328: Luteal phase<\/strong>. During this period, progesterone drives the uterine lining to thicken in preparation for a potential pregnancy. If fertilization occurs, the fertilized egg may implant in the uterine lining. If no fertilization occurs, estrogen and progesterone hormone levels will decrease and menstruation will occur, and the cycle restarts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This process repeats throughout your or your partner\u2019s life, except during pregnancy and sometimes when breastfeeding. The cycle will continue until menopause around<a href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealth.gov\/menstrual-cycle\/your-menstrual-cycle\"> age 52<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In order to get pregnant without medical assistance, you\u2019ll need to have sex just prior to or during ovulation. Sperm can survive in the female reproductive system for about 3\u20135 days, so the 5 days prior to ovulation are the best days to have sex to get pregnant. This is known as the \u201cfertile window.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When to take an at-home pregnancy test<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A pregnancy test works by detecting the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone in a person\u2019s urine. The body starts releasing this hormone when a fertilized egg implants in the uterus lining. It can take 10\u201314 days or more for hCG to reach detectable levels in a person\u2019s urine after fertilization. That\u2019s typically about the point when you or your partner would expect the next menstrual period to begin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The average home pregnancy test can detect hCG if the concentration is at least 25mIU per mL of urine. Most pregnancies don&#8217;t exceed this level until about 13 days past ovulation. The majority of tests will be most accurate starting from this point. Therefore, if you\u2019re trying to conceive naturally, it\u2019s best to wait until at least the first day of your or your partner\u2019s expected period to take an at-home pregnancy test (hence, the \u201ctwo-week wait\u201d).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td>Days since ovulation<\/td><td>Days before period (in 28-day cycle)<\/td><td colspan=\"2\">Median hCG concentration<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>8<\/td><td>6<\/td><td colspan=\"2\">0.00<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>9<\/td><td>5<\/td><td colspan=\"2\">0.00<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>10<\/td><td>4<\/td><td colspan=\"2\">2.77<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11<\/td><td>3<\/td><td colspan=\"2\">10.15<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>12<\/td><td>2<\/td><td colspan=\"2\">21.97<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>13<\/td><td>1<\/td><td colspan=\"2\">37.37<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>14<\/td><td>0<\/td><td colspan=\"2\">68.37<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/19196217\/\">Johnson et al, 2009<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some more sensitive tests may be able to detect hCG sooner, but the accuracy and reliability of those tests may be questionable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What if you aren\u2019t sure when you ovulated or when your next period should start, or your cycles are irregular? Wait at least 14\u201321 days after having unprotected sex to take a home pregnancy test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If you do a home pregnancy test too soon<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s possible for at-home pregnancy tests to give a false negative result if you take the test too soon, don\u2019t precisely follow the instructions, are taking certain medications that could affect the results, or if the test has expired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you take a pregnancy test less than two weeks after ovulation or unprotected sex and it\u2019s negative, that doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re not pregnant. Wait a few days and try taking a test again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The \u201ctwo-week wait\u201d is this period \u2014 after ovulation and unprotected sex \u2014 when a person or couple is waiting until a home pregnancy test can accurately tell them whether or not they\u2019re expecting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When can a blood test for hCG tell me I\u2019m pregnant?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Blood testing may be able to detect pregnancy earlier than a home pregnancy test that uses urine hCG levels. That\u2019s because blood tests can typically detect hCG levels as low as 10 IU\/mL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, blood testing is expensive and slow. Typically, blood testing isn\u2019t done until after a positive home pregnancy test, to confirm the pregnancy is progressing well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The two-week wait after fertility treatment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The two-week wait happens after sexual intercourse, but it also occurs after a fertility treatment like intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Two-week wait after IUI<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>IUI is a type of assisted insemination. During this procedure, semen is processed and injected directly into the uterus, helping it get closer to the egg and hopefully facilitating fertilization. Intrauterine insemination is done at the time of ovulation to increase the chances of achieving pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After the IUI procedure, the process of fertilization and implantation is exactly the same as during unassisted conception. A blood pregnancy test about two weeks later should be able to identify whether an IUI was successful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some IUI procedures involve medication, such as a \u201ctrigger shot,\u201d that spurs ovulation. This trigger shot is sometimes hCG \u2014 the very same hormone that home pregnancy tests are measuring. Therefore, taking a pregnancy test too soon after an IUI may result in a false positive result, as the hCG from the trigger shot hasn\u2019t cleared the system yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It may be difficult to wait two weeks after your IUI to take a pregnancy test, but for the most accurate results, it\u2019s best to hold off until your doctor can see your blood work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Two-week wait after IVF<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>IVF is a method of assisted reproduction in which an eggs are surgically removed from the uterus and combined with sperm outside the body to create embryo(s). Then, an embryo is implanted into the uterus in an embryo transfer procedure, typically done about 5 days after ovulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Having an embryo transfer doesn\u2019t automatically mean someone is pregnant. The process only results in a pregnancy if the embryo successfully attaches to the lining of the uterus. As a result, the embryo transfer begins the two-week wait to know if the procedure led to a pregnancy. Typically about two weeks after the embryo transfer, a blood pregnancy test will confirm a pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just as with IUI, taking an hCG trigger as part of your IVF protocol can interfere with the results of a home pregnancy test, and can give a false positive result if you take the test too early. It\u2019s recommended to wait for the blood test at your IVF clinic for the most reliable results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What to expect during the two-week wait<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll likely feel a variety of emotional and physical symptoms during your two-week wait. It\u2019s normal to feel anxious during the two-week wait. You may feel a mixture of hope, worry, excitement, stress, and frustration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Symptoms of early pregnancy \u2014 or menstruation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>During the two-week wait, you may feel physical symptoms, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>breast tenderness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>cramping<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>bloating<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>tiredness<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You or your partner may be tempted to analyze every symptom as a sign of early pregnancy. It can be frustrating, but important, to remember that early pregnancy signs mimic PMS symptoms, making it hard for a person to tell if they\u2019re pregnant during the two-week wait.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The most reliable symptom of early pregnancy is a missed or late menstrual period. If your or your partner\u2019s period seems to be late by a day or more, that\u2019s a good sign you may be pregnant and that it\u2019s time to take a pregnancy test. (Tracking cycles will give you a better idea of when that period is expected.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you or your partner have chest pain, a fever, shortness of breath, or lower stomach pain, it\u2019s important to call your doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Managing stress and anxiety during the two-week wait<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re feeling anxious about trying to conceive or infertility, that anxiety may be amplified during the two-week wait. This is a period in which all you can really do is wait \u2014 that lack of control can be especially difficult for some people!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It may help to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Share your feelings with your partner, or lean on your friends and family for support.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Connect with people who are going through the same thing, such as through online groups or social media.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Plan ahead to do things you enjoy. It may help to schedule something exciting during the two-week wait as a way to distract yourself from worrying.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Meditate, do yoga, or try some exercise (check with your doctor to find out what\u2019s appropriate).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Talk with a therapist, especially one who specializes in infertility issues.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to improve your chances of getting pregnant<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019ve found yourself going through more two-week waiting periods than you would have hoped, there are some actions you can take to better understand what\u2019s going on with your fertility, and improve your chances of conceiving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Get a semen analysis<\/strong>. Sperm health is half the equation when it comes to getting pregnant. Proactively testing your or your partner\u2019s sperm can give you some invaluable information that can help you understand why it\u2019s taking longer than expected to get pregnant. <em>With Legacy, you can do a <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/solutions\/sperm-analysis\/\"><em>semen analysis from home<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Improve sperm health<\/strong>. Lifestyle changes and male prenatal supplements can both help optimize sperm quality \u2014 not just how <em>many<\/em> sperm you or your partner are making, but how healthy those sperm are. <em>Learn more about <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/guides\/sperm-improvement-guide\/\"><em>improving sperm health<\/em><\/a><em> and trying adding specific nutrients to your diet with <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/supplements-male-fertility\/\"><em>male fertility supplements<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Track ovulation<\/strong>. You may be having sex, but are you sure you or your partner is actually ovulating? There are a few simple ways to track ovulation \u2014 monitoring hormone levels with urine tests, using a wearable like the Ava bracelet, or taking a daily basal body temperature can all help you understand whether ovulation is likely.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Get the timing right<\/strong>. For the best chance of pregnancy, you should be having sex every 1\u20132 days during the fertile window (that 5 day period before ovulation that we explained above). Off-cycle ovulation is possible, too, so a general increased frequency of sexual intercourse can\u2019t hurt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After a pregnancy attempt, the two-week wait stands between you and finding out if you\u2019re pregnant. We\u2019ll help you understand and get through the process.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":13858,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"The two-week wait: What to expect if you&#039;re trying to get pregnant","_seopress_titles_desc":"After a pregnancy attempt, the two-week wait stands between you and finding out if you\u2019re pregnant. We\u2019ll help you understand and get through the process.","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[61,62,68,70],"tags":[63,64,65,66,67,69],"class_list":["post-13679","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-infertility","category-fertility-treatment","category-the-process-of-getting-pregnant","category-trying-to-conceive","tag-in-vitro-fertilization","tag-ivf","tag-menstrual-cycle","tag-pregnancy","tag-pregnancy-test","tag-trying-to-conceive"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/vnext\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13679"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/vnext\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/vnext\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/vnext\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/vnext\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13679"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/vnext\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13679\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33860,"href":"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/vnext\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13679\/revisions\/33860"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/vnext\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/13858"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/vnext\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13679"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/vnext\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13679"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.givelegacy.com\/vnext\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13679"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}