Ana Paula, Sao Paulo, Brazil:
I agree with Pat below. If I hadn't had my work, I don't know how I'd have survived (bit of an exageration there!!). Work kept me very busy; I went to the movies in the evenings or prepared nice meals. I also kept telling myself if something goes wrong, hubby and I did everything we could and that we knew beforehand the odds. So, the day arrived. Today (6 pm) I get the call from my re. My first Beta was positive, and this is the 2nd one. Seems to be the standard procedure. God help me and us all!!

Pat:
Work became my refuge from my thoughts and worries. Before embarking on the IVF cycle, I was contemplating taking two weeks off but decided against it when the doctor suggested I return to normal activities after a few days. Am I ever glad he did! This process is such a rollercoaster that sticking to normal routine is almost a must for keeping sane.

Michelle:
I found the two week wait awful. It is so hard to trust in your body, when there is really only one outcome that you want to hear about. I prayed heaps, but I found this hard because it ended up being what I wanted, rather than what God wanted for me. Very hard to accept. I survived the two week wait (most people do!) and have just had a miscarriage at 12 and a half weeks. Next time it won't just be the first two weeks that I'll be panicing about!

Cami:
My two week wait was particularly difficult. Because we are using a gestational surrogate (my husband's sperm and my eggs), I couldn't rely on any "physical symptoms" to give me a clue as to whether or not a pregnancy was achieved. At first this bothered me, but after reading on this site how some symptoms can cause women to worry about whether or not they were or were not pregnant, I was sort of glad I wasn't able to guess. I must admit, I spent most of the two weeks NOT sleeping! However, what really helped was having a supportive husband. We had decided that we would use adoption as our back-up plan and my husband let me know in no uncertain terms that raising a child with me (whether it was biologically ours or not) was what he wanted to do. It really took the pressure off. My greatest fear was that if our surrogate didn't get pregnant, no one would ever know what a truly wonderful human being she is for wanting to do this for us. Luckily, after our first IVF we found out that we are expecting twin boys. They are due no later than March 1st but will most likely be born in the middle of February. Sometimes things are really worth waiting for!!!!

Mary:
I tried very hard to take it easy, but it was nerve wracking. You are worried that the next time you go to the bathroom you will see blood. I have had two IVF cycles and the first time I started bleeding. The second, I never bled so my hopes were so high. But I was not pregnant. We have decided to try again,although my family does not agree. We will begin in late Feb/00.Wish us luck!!!!

Tara- Barrie, Ontario:
I have just started for the 2nd try with IVF my 14 day WAIT.... Jan 20th-Feb 3rd. Feb 3rd is the BIG DAY..... I am trying to keep busy at home and rest alot, having my DH take care of me. I clean homes and have stopped for the 14 days for my own piece of mind. I am very hopeful this time around which I hope means something. Keep positive +++++++++++++

Pat:
On the whole, the two week wait is the most difficult part of the entire IVF cycle. I just completed my fourth attemp (found out a few hours ago that it was unsuccessful). I vascillate between euphoria and depression. Basically, I do a lot a praying.

Rhondda:
I was signed off work for the 2 weeks after egg transfer as I have quite a stressful job and wanted to remain as calm as possible. I used the time to teach myself watercolouring and it certainly helped to pass the time especially as my husband would not let me hoover or iron, however he did let me cook otherwise we woulf have been eating chips for 2 weeks! Even though we were not successful I was relieved just knowing the outcome. We are due to have another attempt in March but this time I won't be taking 2 weeks off aterwards as I will have just stared another job - that should take my mind off it!! Good Luck to every one undergoing IVF.

Mary:
I only had two attemp of IVF and in both cases the two week wait were basically the same. The first week passed very fast, but the last one was horrible. The only thing that I could think was If I was pregnant or not. DH helped me a lot and tried to keep me busy and distracted. I am glad is over now.

Jane:
The two week wait for me was pure, unadulterated torture. It didn't help that I wasn't busy with work either (it was right around the holidays). But the few things that I did do to take my mind off the "waiting" I would recommend to all my fellow ivf'rs. 1. Go out to lunch with a friend--someone who needs to talk. What's best is to spend time with someone who doesn't know you are going through ivf (so the subject doesn't even come up!). Make it a long lunch! 2. Get a good, long, funny, romantic novel and don't put it down till you've read it from cover to cover. Get lost in someone elses life. 3. Rent a bunch of movies you've wanted to see but haven't had the time. 4. Have a dinner party. Planning takes your mind off the "wait". Cooking takes your mind off the "wait". Visiting with friends takes your mind off the "wait. 5. Go away for a weekend--preferably with friends so you don't spend too much time with your dh wondering whether you're pregnant! That's it for now. I'm sure I'll come up with more the next time I do IVF!

Lisa:
My two week waiting period was the week of Christmas and New Year's ( not a good time for IVF). I had cramps all the time since the transfer and went to the bathroom just about 15 times a day to make sure there was no blood. I really don't have any advice, I drove everyone crazy around me including myself!

Anonymous:
This will be my 4th IVF. The wait is so torturous because it is totally beyond our control. I have tried to take off extra time after the transfer and it still hasn't worked. I feel every twinge of pain, headache, and soreness as "not working." For me, the wait can be compared to the wait after the retrieval to see how many eggs are viable and dividing. It is all very depressing, but we have no choice but to march on.

Tanya:
The 2 week wait is terrible one day i convince myself I'm pregnant the next day i feel very negative and I'm like this for the whole 2 weeks I've had 3 attempts and I'm having another in 1 month I just keep on with it until it works good luck to every one of you on this emotional roller-coaster I know how you feel believe me and that 2 week wait is frustrating but we get through it though Good-luck Tanya

Brenda:
The 2 week wait has to be the most agonizing time of any IVF cycle. The constant poking, prodding and monitoring is replaced by a big void that you have to fill while resting, eating right, and generally not over-exerting yourself. I wish I could be frozen in time and awoken when it was time for me to take the pregnancy test. Since that can't be done, I usually end up doing something mindless like doing crosswords or jigsaw puzzles. The other thing I like to do is watch light romantic videos such as "Pride and Prejudice" and "Emma". I hope you will have some other suggestions to share with us.