Trying to have a baby can bring up so many surprising emotions. Sometimes it’s exciting and emotional, other times it’s frustrating and confusing. No matter what you and your partner are going through, trying to conceive is a mixed bag of experiences and feelings—especially during the dreaded two week wait.

If you’re new to TTC, the two week wait is the period of time between your ovulation date and when you can take a pregnancy test and get an accurate result. For some women, especially those who have been trying to conceive for a while, the two week wait is a period of hope, fear, worry, excitement, and Googling every possible pregnancy symptom on the planet.

If you’re having trouble keeping your cool during your two week wait, here are five activities you can do to help you stay calm (and sane).

5 Tips for Staying Calm During Your Two Week Wait

Make future plans.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the mindset of “oh, if I’m pregnant this month, I’ll be due during this season, and so I should plan xyz…” While some thought about having a baby in the future is good while you’re trying to conceive (such as possibly saving money or how you might handle childcare together), it’s important to not spend too much time planning out your entire future when you’re not sure if you’re pregnant yet.

Getting pregnant can take a lot of patience and if you jump ahead mentally, it can be even more disappointing to receive a negative result at the end of a two week wait. Instead of building your entire life around whether or not you might be pregnant, make some future plans with your partner or friends you can look forward to.

It can be helpful to plan a little vacation, going to see a favorite artist in concert, or visiting friends and family you haven’t seen in awhile. Life doesn’t stop just because you’re trying to conceive, so make sure you’re still making time to enjoy it!

Try a meditation app.

Lately meditation apps have been all the rage, and it’s easy to see why. De-stressing from everyday worries, tasks, and responsibilities is healthy for everyone. And it’s especially good if you’re worried about what the pregnancy test will say at the end of two weeks.

To help you stay calm and peaceful post-ovulation, try the app Calm. Calm is the number one app for meditation and mindfulness and provides you over a hundred guided meditations to help you manage anxiety, lower stress and sleep better.

Start a new hobby that excites or soothes you.

Another way to survive the two week wait is to indulge in some activities that fulfill (and distract) you. Make some time for yourself and try a new hobby you’ve always been interested in, such as cooking, painting, or learning to play an instrument.

Or, instead of a solo hobby, gather up your friends and check out some restaurants you might be interested in! There are lots of activities you can do alone, with your partner, or with friends that can help soothe you and take your mind off the long wait.

Put away your smartphone.

It’s all too easy to look up every single sign or symptom that you might be pregnant on the internet these days. Unfortunately, many women don’t know they’re pregnant until they miss their period and take a pregnancy test. And equally as unfortunate, many of the signs and symptoms of pregnancy are exactly the same as symptoms of PMS.

If you spend too much time on the internet looking up every “feeling” or twinge in your body, you’re going to drive yourself crazy. If you catch yourself doing it, stop, take a deep breath, and put away your phone for a little while.

Be honest about your feelings.

It’s important to keep an open line of communication between you and your partner during this time. Holding in your anxiety, your fears, and your disappointments won’t be good for you, or your partner.

It can be very lonely during the two week wait. Don’t be afraid to open up and talk about how you’re feeling! Whether you’re having a heart to heart with your partner, a family member, or a close friend, letting out your feelings and emotions is healthy. This time is supposed to be exciting, but it’s also normal to feel a lot of other emotions, too. If you aren’t quite ready to share with someone close to you yet, try journaling or another similar outlet. Getting your feelings out of your head is a good way to de-stress and ease some wait-induced anxiety or nerves.

Remember, getting pregnant can sometimes take a little while.

It’s important to keep a positive attitude during this time, even when it’s difficult to do so. Keep in mind that many healthy couples under 35 could take a year to conceive! In the meantime, have fun with your partner. Make plans for date nights and trips, and don’t forget to have a little hope. Your positive pregnancy test could be just around the corner!

Have you *finally* gotten your BFP? Are you looking for an OB/Gyn and live in San Tan Valley? Let us join you on your pregnancy journey and help you find a path to motherhood that works for you. Book an appointment today!