The Two Week Wait

The Fertility Podcast

This week we’re talking about the TWW which is that period of time from embryo transfer to when you can do a pregnancy test. Natalie has been through it once, having had success on her first attempt at IVF however we know, for many of you it can be something of a Groundhog Day experience and we wanted your thoughts on how to cope with it.

Kate talked about how she tells her clients to set an intention for the 14 days in terms of what they want with their family and friends, so you’re in control of how the tww goes, which is sound advice.

We also spoke with author and former fertility patient and Midwife, Sheila Lamb about her experience of the TWW and her book ‘This is the Two Week Wait

Sheila curated over 30 accounts from people willing to share their experiences, Natalie was one of them, talking about how she made a point of going away to the coast, which did her the world of good. Sheila talks about one thing that stuck out was people talking about how ‘on your own ‘ you are, after all the put from the clinic, it just stops.. it’s like tumbleweed.

We talk about how best to keep busy and how you need to think wisely about who you spend time with. People talked about symptom spotting and how for example their boobs were ‘buzzing’ Sheila talked about how

her experience and how she didn’t want to test during the wait.

after four cycles she was very aware of what worked and what didn’t work for her. Her fourth cycle was 6 years later and was with donor egg, and additional medication after a miscarriage and she was abroad, which made it nicer as they were away and able to keep busy. She talked about doing visualization which she hadn’t done previously as she hadn’t learnt about it in the earlier days.

We’re all so different which is why we wanted to get your thoughts and had you record them for us using our exciting new software, so if you want to get in touch for future episodes we’ll be reminding you of how to do it.

We had some amazing and varied comments from you. Elyse talked about how it is so important to expect and accept that your emotions will be all over the place, if you need to shout, cry, call your friend for a bitch do what you feel, and don’t feel guilty. She advised you to keep things to yourself if you want to, you don’t have to share with family and friends. Also to Keep reminding yourself you’ve done your best and the next stage is out of your hands and your brain goes a bit wild - uf it gets too loud try and takes control back.

When it comes to testing the consensus was to not drive yourself mad with early testing!!

Bilitis shared how she picked up a new hobby, during her TWW, which was during the lockdown. So she learned to sew using a sewing machine which kept my mind occupied, which she said stopped her dwelling.

Sophie talked about how she and her partner, blocked out the two weeks for themselves to go away and see something new. Or if that’s not possible just get away from every day, or go for a walk along with the coast, anything to get away from the norm. She also talked about how they treated themselves to something nice, a massage, a nice meal and focused on themselves rather than being with family, or friends. Her go-to activities were yoga, meditation, baking, and eating. Nice!

Susanne shared her wisdom, after having five cycles. She highlighted how you come to realize there are no hard and fast rules. There’s no ‘if you do this it will work’. She said to follow your gut and do what feels right which we’re big fans of. You know you ultimately.

Susanne said how in the past taken 2 weeks off work, which helped her have nothing to blame, but wasn’t right, as she also worked which then gave her something to blame. Ultimately, she says to stay...

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