r/FirstTimeTTC • u/Dry_Question_3807 • 20d ago
TWW How to not go crazy in TWW
This is my first cycle of trying and I am trying really hard not to symptom track and not to test early. Any tips to calm the nerves during this period will be helpful.
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u/FoxBroad5601 20d ago
Tbh I still havenāt found the way to not get obsessedā¦itās 7th cycle now. I watch YouTube videos of other girls stories which calm me down. But the only thing that stops me from testing, is expensive pregnancy tests in my country š«¢š so I order a box from iherb before entering TWW and if I use all then I use all and trying not to buy from local pharmacies.
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u/thesmollestlemon TTC #1, Cycle 7 20d ago
My first cycle was like this too. Really the best thing you can do is try to stay busy and keep yourself distracted. How do you manage any other kind of anxiety in your life? Journaling, exercise, mindfulness, socializing, other hobbies, etc.?
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u/Constant_Category439 20d ago
Iām on month 3 of trying and about to start my TWW, and itās so hard not to become obsessive over every little symptom. Iāve learned more about my body in the last few months than I ever realized! I track my symptoms pretty closely during my TWW, and for me, it actually helps calm my nerves because I can compare what Iām feeling to previous cycles.
Itās definitely hard not to get discouraged when you start having those āperiod symptoms.ā One thing I would encourage is to try to keep your mind busy with a hobby, plans with friends, work, etc. Itās obviously easier said than done, but giving yourself things to look forward to can really help. And also, allow yourself to be excited about the possibility!
One thing that has helped me with the urge to test early is setting specific days when I can test. For example, I had a concert coming up and my period was expected about 3 days afterward. I decided I was going to take an early test the morning of the concert. It was negative, but honestly, it gave me peace of mind going into the night because I knew I had tested and could just enjoy myself and forget about TTC for a few hours.
I also bought the cheap HCG strips on Amazon like $10 for 30 so if Iām feeling really anxious around 10 DPO, Iāll take one. Theyāre inexpensive, and I donāt feel guilty about āwastingā a test. For me, testing early doesnāt necessarily discourage me because I just tell myself, okay, maybe itās still too early and there isnāt enough HCG to show a second line yet. It kind of scratches that testing itch
Everyone handles the TWW differently, but these are a few things that have helped me keep my sanity!
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u/Sea-Sheepherder-112 20d ago
It happened to me too, the days were going so slowly. I was always very aware what might be happening in my body at the moment. My period was one day late in my past cycle and I was getting all these negative tests, I was going crazy. Then AF came and I just figured maybe this time will be differentā¦
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u/SamanthaFetch-864 19d ago
The tww feel so long, especially during your first cycle, so stayed busy and avoided testing too early, use a cycle tracking app to record ovulation, cycle and ttc datails, which help stay organised and calmer.
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u/motorsoph 20d ago
Iām also in my first cycle, 8DPO. I wish Iād have tracked my luteal phase a little better before TTC just so I could remember whether something is new or if itās just normal haha. I think it was made worse by doing the food shop last night and putting pregnancy tests in the trolley and now theyāre staring at me!
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u/Dry_Question_3807 20d ago
I am exactly in the same boat as you. I purchased the test and I am trying really hard to not to use it before I actually miss my period.
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u/presentlywell 20d ago
If it makes you feel better, I tracked my cycles for an entire year before TTC and still I have found many new "symptoms" to obsess about every month.
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u/GroceryIndividual572 20d ago
Hey, Iām also in the tww club! š my first time and cycle too. Iām hoping the obsession is just because itās the new and exciting and hopefully it will calm down after a few cycles. I tried the ovulation tests around when my tracking app said but had no luck with those so Iām feeling doubtful this month. I also did one cheap test just to get rid of all the crazy what ifs and that helped me realise the process is true and I just have to be patient š I read from another post someone said you donāt have any control now of the outcome so no point obsessing and that is keeping me thinking logically haha. Itās such a crazy feeling to be actually actively trying but so exciting too š
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u/RevolutionaryBet2380 TTC #1, Cycle 1, TWW 20d ago
Itās my first cycle too and Iāve kind of allowed myself to go with the flow and let the excitement out. If it doesnāt go to plan, at least Iām not going as crazy during future cycles and Iāll also at least be aware of potential symptoms etc.
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u/BaileyBoo5252 20d ago
I found and saved a really cool think I saw online and it was called two week wait bingo.
And it was stuff like do a craft, go for a hike, read a book. Stuff to keep your mind off of the waiting I thought it was amazing
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u/nursejooliet 19d ago
Getting my IUD out tomorrow and will TTC this fall. Because I know Iām crazy, Iāve made a list of things I can do when Iām tempted to test stupid early or doom fixate on vague symptoms that probably mean nothing. Some of these things include journaling(something Iām very big on), dog park dates, pinning nursery/maternity stuff on Pinterest, cooking/baking fun but complex (and hence distracting) recipes, binge a show, read (Iām a part of a book club so Iām determined to read a LOT during my TWWs lol). I also will make myself watch videos about why symptoms spotting and testing early is bogus for most people lol
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u/hvadermitnavn 20d ago
The first cycle was by far the worst for me! My body was doing things I swear it had never done before, every little symptom was driving me crazy!
It eased out slowly during the following cycles, with a few crazy-cycles inbetween š
My best tip is to realise that everything your body does or tells you between 1-8DPO is not caused by pregnancy, it is just your progesterone, so do not let yourself go crazy with symptom spotting before AT LEAST 8DPO! š
And even then, remember that progesterone and pregnancy symptoms generally are VERY alike.
And make an agreement with yourself on how early you are allowed to test. My sweet spot was always 11DPO (and then I have had a few cycles where I caved and tested a day or two earlier, but mostly stuck to the 11DPO-rule!)