Self-Care Tips for the Two-Week Wait

Navigating fertility treatment can be both physically and emotionally exhausting. For many, the journey involves not only medical appointments and medications but also managing the mental strain of uncertainty, especially during the infamous two-week wait (2WW) after an embryo transfer. At Boston IVF’s Wellness Center, social workers Dylan Everett, LICSW, MSW and Stephanie Rodrigues, LICSW offer valuable advice on how to care for yourself during this challenging time.

Creating a Self-Care Routine

One of the first steps in managing stress and anxiety during fertility treatment is establishing a personalized self-care routine. While there’s no “magic wand” to make anxiety vanish, Rodrigues encourages patients to create a list of activities that can help ease their minds when they feel overwhelmed. These activities might include:

✓ Spending time with friends
✓ Getting your nails done or indulging in a spa day
✓ Reconnecting with nature by going for a walk
✓ Reading a book or journaling your thoughts
✓ Watching a comforting TV show or listening to a favorite playlist

The goal is to find what brings you joy and immerse yourself in it. Focusing on your senses—what you see, hear, feel, and even taste—can ground you in the present and help reduce the mind’s natural tendency to drift into anxiety about the future.

Staying Present During the Two-Week Wait

The two-week wait is often the most agonizing period of the IVF process, filled with both hope and fear. Everett and Rodrigues recommend healthy distractions during this time. It’s natural to think about the next milestone, but focusing solely on it can cause unnecessary stress. Instead, they advise acknowledging those thoughts, accepting them without judgment, and then returning to the present moment.

Some activities that can help during the two-week wait include:

✓ Engaging in light physical activity, like yoga or walking
✓ Being social—spending time with loved ones who provide support and laughter
✓ Taking time to enjoy hobbies or try new ones that bring fulfillment
✓ Attending support groups or counseling sessions to share your feelings

Positive, healthy distractions can keep your mind occupied while allowing you to maintain hope without overwhelming yourself with worry.

Stepping Out of “Fertility Patient Mode”

While fertility treatment may feel like it consumes your life, it’s important to remember that it doesn’t define all of who you are. Rodrigues suggests taking regular breaks from “fertility patient mode” to reconnect with other parts of your identity. Whether it’s being a partner, sibling, friend, or professional, it’s essential to devote time to these roles as well.

Setting aside time to nurture these other aspects of your life can help maintain balance and ensure that you don’t lose sight of the whole person you are. This intentional focus on different areas of your life provides emotional relief and strengthens your support network, which is crucial during such an intense period.

Dealing with Loss and Grief

Unfortunately, the path to parenthood through IVF can sometimes involve loss. Navigating the grief that comes with fertility struggles is a deeply personal journey. Everett advises patients to honor their grief while recognizing that it’s okay to still hold on to hope. Balancing conflicting emotions—grief for what’s been lost and optimism for the future—can be complex but is entirely normal.

For some, it’s helpful to move forward quickly; for others, taking time to rest and process the grief is more beneficial. The key is finding support, whether through counseling, support groups, or close friends, where you can talk through your emotions and feel validated in both your sadness and your hope.

Giving Yourself Grace

Finally, as your body goes through the physical demands of fertility treatment, it’s crucial to show yourself compassion. As Everett mentions, giving yourself grace is key to managing the physical changes and emotional rollercoaster that IVF entails. Whether it’s bloating, mood swings, or changes in energy levels, these shifts are a sign that your body is doing the incredible work of preparing for pregnancy.

While fertility treatment may feel like a loss of control, it’s also a celebration of your body’s ability to transform and work toward the goal of creating a family. Embrace those changes and be proud of the journey your body is on.

Final Thoughts

Fertility treatment is a marathon, not a sprint, and self-care is a vital part of getting through it. At Boston IVF, social workers like Dylan Everett and Stephanie Rodrigues offer compassionate guidance to help you navigate the emotional ups and downs. Whether it’s managing the stress of the two-week wait, dealing with the grief of loss, or simply finding joy in the present, remember to treat yourself with kindness and patience. You're not just a fertility patient—you’re a whole person, deserving of love, care, and understanding throughout your journey.