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Thursday, January 21, 2010

How to Survive the Two-Week Wait (Without Losing Your Mind)

I laughed when I found this article, I thought I was the only crazy person out there that went nuts those "2 weeks" between ovulation and pregnancy test results!

By Jessica Meltzer (article here)
For women trying to get pregnant one of the hardest times is the period between ovulation and the day the period is due; the two-week wait.This article offers advice from someone who has been there and learned the hard way how to survive without losing her sanity.

  • Realize that you cannot make time speed up and obsessing about it will only slow it down. Much easier said than done, I know. The best way to get through the two-week wait is to distract yourself as much as possible. Failing that humor and whatever de-stresses you are good fall-back plans.
  • DistractionDistraction can take the form of the mundane; cleaning the house, going to work, walking the dog, and keeping up your daily routines. It can, and should, also involve friends who make you laugh. Support from friends and family can make a huge difference. That is of course if they're support and don't drive you insane. People who love you can get excited about things for you. It can get overwhelming and if you are grappling with infertility, downright depressing as people ask constantly if you're pregnant yet.Movies, books, craft projects, home and yard projects (but avoid fumes, cat poop and wear gloves if handling dirt) are all good ways to pass your spare time.
  • Oh my God I feel sick...Ah yes our mind is a powerful thing is it not? Pregnancy symptoms seem to pop up left and right for many women who are waiting until they can take a pregnancy test. Sore breasts, nausea, fatigue, they're all common early pregnancy symptoms. Unfortunately they're also common symptoms of impending menstruation and/or stress. You just have to cope with them as best as you can and avoid medication, drugs, and alcohol in case this is your month. Lemon drops, ginger, peppermint, and sea bands can all be helpful with nausea.
  • Dream, Hope, Pray- Whatever your bent is, deliberately asking for a positive outcome can help be it through prayer, visualization, or thinking about a healthy baby. Meditation, yoga, walking, swimming, gardening, any activity that helps you get out of your head a bit and zone out can help also during the wait.
  • Chocolate- Seriously, this isn't the time to deny yourself small pleasures unless there is a medical or other very good reason to do so. If a bit of chocolate soothes you go for it. Whatever it is indulge in a treat now and then. It helps.
  • But I'm going crazy here.It may not feel like it at the time but it really does help to know you're not alone. There are great support groups on the net for women trying to conceive.Useful web siteshttp://www.twoweekwait.com/web/http://conceiveonline.com/preconceived-notions/2009-05-27-two-week-wait-crazies/http://www.resolve.org/site/PageServer is a good place to go if you're dealing with infertility issues. Yahoo groups is another great place to look for support groups.
  • Good luck!I wish you all the best in your quest to become a parent.

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