You've successfully pinpointed ovulation and did the deed to catch that egg.
Or maybe you've implanted an embryo.
Now comes the dreaded waiting period.
This time is called many things online.
3DPO,
9DPO,
The dreaded two week wait.
Whatever you call it,
This can feel like mental and emotional torture.
Did it work?
Am I pregnant?
Are we going to have to do that all over again?
Cue the stress and emotional turmoil.
Some women experience early symptoms of pregnancy like bloating,
Cramps,
Sore breasts,
Headaches and fatigue.
Try not to let the presence or lack of pregnancy symptoms bother you.
These can be similar to PMS.
Some women never get these symptoms even when they're pregnant.
So try not to worry either way.
Wondering I have a headache.
Does that mean I'm pregnant?
We'll give you a stress headache.
How can we take the element of waiting out of this time?
Think of the phrase set it and forget it.
You've done everything you can do and now your work is done.
Focusing on your breath snaps you into the present moment,
Which is incredibly powerful.
Stay in the now rather than worrying about the future to maintain your inner peace.
Practice this daily meditation once or even twice per day to help you stay in the present rather than worrying about future results.
Roll your shoulders 10 times to release any tension.
Get comfortable and close your eyes.
Take a few deep breaths.
And then practice five rounds of even count breathing to help you release all other thoughts.
In through the nose,
Hold and exhale through the nose for the same duration.
I'll guide you through the first round at a count of five.
Inhale 2345.
Hold 2345.
Exhale 2345.
Practice four more rounds at your own pace.
Exhale 2345.
Next,
Release control of your breathing and simply watch it.
Feel the air coming in and out of your nostrils.
When you're ready,
Match the mantra Hong-Sau to each breath.
Simply say Hong when you inhale and Sau when you exhale.
You may find your breathing slows.
Enjoy the moments of silence between breaths.
Straighten and exhale.
If your thoughts wander,
Notice them without judgment.
Go back to the mantra Hong Sau.
Go back to the mantra Hong Sau.
Now that you're fully relaxed,
Practice the affirmation,
I choose happiness.
Say the affirmation out loud.
I choose happiness.
Softer now,
I choose happiness.
Whisper,
I choose happiness.
Now mentally repeat with great conviction,
I choose happiness.
Breathing daily during this time will help you relax and stay in the right state of mind.
It's all about relaxing so you feel good.
In addition to meditation,
Enjoy yourself now by keeping busy with things you love.
Create a soothing and uplifting playlist to help steer your emotions toward the positive.
If you still find your mind constantly wondering,
Am I pregnant,
Did it work this month?
Don't judge yourself.
Simply become aware of these thoughts and when they arise,
Mentally say,
I choose happiness no matter what.
Then gently try to shift your thoughts to something that brings you joy.
Your fun list,
Something you like about your partner,
Something you like about yourself,
A funny joke your friend said,
Something interesting happening at work,
Or even what's for dinner tonight.
Try not to ruminate on the what ifs because when we worry about the future,
Stress creeps in.
Stress takes you out of your present happiness.
Retrain your brain to find happiness right here and now no matter what.
A note on pregnancy tests.
When I first started trying to conceive,
I took a test every month.
After a few,
I found they added stress to my life so I stopped taking them.
Instead,
I waited to see if I got my period.
I took a test the day I found out I was pregnant because it was the 4th of July and I wanted to drink without worrying about it.
Taking the test that month was going to relieve my stress,
Not add to it.
Pregnancy tests are another tool to be used only if it brings you joy or makes you feel better,
Not worse.
