Trying to conceive

Getting through the two-week wait

10 November 2026 · 5 min read

Every twinge feels like a sign. You've looked up "early pregnancy symptoms" more times than you'd like to admit. And the days until you can take a test seem to stretch forever. If you're trying to conceive, the two-week wait can be one of the hardest parts.

Why the wait feels so hard

The two-week wait is the time between when you might have conceived and when a pregnancy test can give you an answer. It's a stretch of not knowing, and our minds don't like not knowing. They fill the gap by scanning for clues, imagining every outcome, and swinging between hope and fear.

If you've been trying for a while, or you've experienced a loss, the wait can carry even more weight. Whatever you're feeling, whether that's excitement, dread, numbness or all three in one afternoon, it makes sense.

One thing worth saying clearly: feeling stressed during the wait doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong. You don't have to be perfectly calm to get pregnant. Taking care of yourself is about getting through these days more gently, not about getting a particular result.

Try it now: the "right now" practice

This takes about 4 minutes. Use it whenever you notice yourself spiraling into what-ifs.

Pause and notice. Say to yourself: "I'm worrying about the future." Just noticing it creates a little distance.
Come back to your body. Feel your feet on the floor and your hands in your lap. Notice three things you can feel right now, like the softness of your clothes or the air on your skin.
Breathe slowly. Breathe in through your nose for a count of four, and out through your mouth for a count of six. Repeat five or six times.
Find what's true right now. Gently remind yourself: "Right now, I don't know. Right now, I'm okay. I can take this one day at a time."
Offer yourself kindness. Put a hand on your heart and say something you'd say to a friend in your shoes, like "This is hard, and you're doing your best."

Gentle ways to get through the wait

Plan small things to look forward to. A walk with a friend, a movie night, a new book. Giving your days some shape helps them pass.
Set limits on symptom searching. Many early pregnancy signs are the same as the signs your period is coming. Searching rarely gives answers and often adds worry.
Decide when you'll test, and stick to it. Testing too early can lead to confusing results. Choosing a day in advance can take away some of the daily pressure.
Choose who you tell. Some people find it helps to have one person to talk to. Others prefer to keep the wait private. Both are okay.
Be ready for either result. Think about how you'd like to spend the day you test, and who you'd want with you, so you feel supported whatever happens.

Support while you're trying in Lula

For anxious moments, try Let Worry Go (8 minutes) and Self-Care (9 minutes), both free in Lula. With Lula Premium you can also listen to Two-Week Wait, Trying to Conceive Stress and After a Negative Test.

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When to talk to a doctor: if you're under 35 and have been trying for a year, or you're 35 or older and have been trying for six months, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor. Talk to them sooner if you have irregular periods, a known health condition, or any concerns. If trying to conceive is affecting your mood or wellbeing, you deserve support for that too. You can find help numbers on our support page.

This article is for general wellbeing and isn't medical advice.