Getting Through The Two-Week Wait
Shady Grove Fertility nurses Karen Calabrese, RN and Elizabeth Zapp, RN discuss some of the common questions patients ask about the two-week wait.
Commonly Asked Questions
For most patients who undergo fertility treatment, the two-week wait before you have your beta (pregnancy test) can seem like an eternity. Each day seems longer than the last, and the question “Am I pregnant?” goes through your mind hundreds of times a day. One becomes hyperaware of your body’s every sensation. We all sympathize and wish there was some medical way to make the time shorter or easier for you. So we gathered some questions from our community, ran them by our nurse educators, and came up with some answers to your pressing two-week wait questions.
Q: What is the two-week wait?
A: The two-week wait is the period of time between the end of your fertility treatment cycle and beta hCG blood test – the test that determines whether or not you’re pregnant. It takes about two weeks from the time a fertilized egg implants in the uterine wall to start emitting enough of the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) to be detected by a blood test. We sometimes call the test a “beta” because the test actually measures a beta chain portion of the hCG hormone molecule and is officially named a ‘beta HCG “ test.
Q: Can I take a Home Pregnancy Test to see if I’m pregnant?
A: We recommend that you refrain from performing a home pregnancy test as they can render false results, either a false negative or false positive. A false positive result may be due to the fact that in many of our treatments, hCG, the same hormone that measures pregnancy, is given to “trigger” ovulation in many of our patients. Traces of the administered hCG can still be in your bloodstream and detectable by a test, even if implantation has not occurred. A false negative might occur as a low level of hCG may be undetectable in a urine test despite a pregnancy starting as these are less sensitive than the blood hormone tests we use.
On average, two weeks after your IUI or embryo transfer you will come back to our Center for your pregnancy test. This test is done by blood draw and measures the hCG levels produced by the developing embryo. The most reliable pregnancy test is the blood test we perform in our offices.
Q: What is happening to my body during the two-week wait?
A: During this time, you may feel as if you are about to start your period. Your body has been through a lot and the medications you’re taking are designed to promote the optimal environment for pregnancy. You may experience some cramping, spotting or light bleeding, abdominal bloating, fatigue, and breast tenderness. While you may be slightly alarmed to experience some of these symptoms, they are normal and do not signify that you are or are not pregnant.
Please note, if after your treatment you feel excessive bloating, shortness of breath, chest pain, or lower abdominal pains, you may have ovarian hyperstimulation and should call your clinical team immediately.
Q: Will I be taking medications during this time?
A: Yes. Most patients need to continue to take progesterone supplements in order to produce the same levels of hormones that would occur in early stages of pregnancy.
While most patients will supplement their progesterone via pill or vaginal insert, patients who are using donor egg or frozen embryos will use the injectible form of progesterone for their cycles.
Additionally, patients who undergo IVF, donor egg or frozen embryo transfers may also be prescribed estrogen supplements to help thicken and maintain the uterine lining.
Please do not stop taking these medications until you have been advised by the medical staff to do so.
Q: Can I continue my normal day-to-day activities during the two-week wait?
A: We tell all of our patients to be cautious during their first five days after their treatment. We recommend that you refrain from strenuous physical activities as well as sexual activities during that time as they may cause uterine contractions that might impair the implantation process. There is also a greater risk during that time of ovarian issues arising since, for many patients, the ovaries are still slightly enlarged at that point.
After those first few days, you can to start light aerobic activities such as yoga, swimming , moderate walking and swimming, and lightweight training on stairmaster or elliptical trainers – activities that can get their heart rate up, but are not demanding, impact on their bodies like jogging or impact aerobics or treadmills.
Q: Do I need to adjust my diet during this time?
A: No special diet is required, but we recommend that you start making nutritional choices as if you’re already pregnant. This means eating well balanced meals, no sushi or other raw or undercooked meats, avoiding high-mercury fish and soft cheeses, no alcohol, and continuing to take prenatal vitamins.
Q: Can I travel during the two-week wait (or thereafter if pregnant)?
A: We prefer that patients avoid traveling for the first few days post-treatment, primarily so that you are close to our center for examination should any problems develop. This also is true during and following the time of your pregnancy testing and ultrasound. Early pregnancy complications such as hyperstimulation, bleeding or pain can occur and we would want you near your team here for care. In addition, the rigors of travel, time zone changes, luggage, etc. leave you vulnerable to complications. Before you are schedule travel during this period of time, check with your nurse and team to se if this is at all advisable.
Q: What levels of hCG will determine if I’m pregnant?
A: Any positive level of beta hCG above 5 mIu/ml indicates a pregnancy has started (unless the test is done to early following an HCG trigger injection). A blood hCG number over 100 is a good first beta result but many, many ongoing pregnancies start out with a beta hCG level below that number. Higher numbers cannot predict a multiple pregnancy, only the ultrasound can determine that.
Additional beta tests will be performed ever 48 hours after the first positive test to confirm the hCG level continue to rise. We look for the level of hCG to rise about 60% or more in each of the additional tests. If the number continues to increase, we’re more confident that it’s likely a viable pregnancy.
We will then have you come in for ultrasounds usually between 6-7 weeks to determine if the embryo continues to develop into a fetus. At about 8+ weeks, our Center will refer you back to your OB/GYN to continue your prenatal care.
Q: If I am pregnant, how do you ‘count’ how far along we are?
A: As soon as it is determined that you are pregnant, we revert to the Obstetrical counting / dating system. This is done to avoid using one set of dates from the time of an IUI or IVF versus another set of dates used by obstetricians. The OB doctors determine pregnancy dating to be from the last menstrual period, at least 2 weeks prior to ovulation. Obviously, we often know more about when ovulation may have occurred than usually they do, but for convention we add two weeks to our dates to conform with the OB. As an example, if we know when ovulation was triggered and an IUI or IVF was performed, you’re your beta might be two weeks thereafter. If it is positive, the OB would say you are FOUR weeks pregnant, not two, and therefore so do we.
You first early pregnancy ultrasound is usually scheduled for you between 6-7 weeks Gestational Age. That is actually only 4-5 weeks from your IUI or embryo transfer. You just saved two weeks off the length of the 40 week pregnancy!!
Q: What are my next steps if I’m not pregnant?
A: If you aren’t successful, your nurse will advise you to stop your medications. You will have the opportunity to talk with your physician to review the past cycle and make a decision together about your next steps.
Q: How long after a failed cycle can I do another cycle?
A: While your physician will determine the timing of a new cycle, it’s not always necessary to take time off between cycles unless otherwise directed. Many of our patients are able to being their next treatment cycle immediately and for many a cycle of rest is recommended.
We know that these two weeks can be a very stressful time. Visit the SGF Facebook page if you’re looking for ways to help pass the time and get support from patients who understand what you are going through during this period of time. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call your nurse.
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