Introduction
Many people trying to conceive experience the “anxious period.” It’s a time when thoughts about whether you are pregnant can make it hard to stay calm, making it feel very long and challenging.
In this page, we will explain this “anxious period” and discuss ways to make it a bit easier to endure.
What is the Anxious Period?
The “anxious period” is something that many people trying to conceive may experience. While there is no definitive timeline for this period, it often refers to the time after ovulation while waiting to use a pregnancy test.
During this time, thoughts like “Did fertilization occur?” or “Has implantation happened?” can make it difficult to stay calm, leading to a state of anxiety and restlessness.
The fact that the term “anxious period” exists suggests that many people trying to conceive go through this experience.
Anxiety Before the Expected Menstruation Date
Anxiety During the Luteal Phase
Once you have successfully timed intercourse around the ovulation day and entered the luteal phase, all that remains is to wait patiently.
Even though you know you should wait calmly, you might find yourself wondering, “Did fertilization occur?” or frequently searching the internet for information about very early pregnancy symptoms.
Could it be Early Pregnancy Symptoms?
During this time, if you notice symptoms that are different from your usual luteal phase, you might start wondering, “Could this be an early pregnancy symptom?” and become anxious.
Similarly, if your body temperature is higher than usual during the luteal phase or if you experience stronger breast tenderness, you are likely to feel restless as well.
Anxiety with Pregnancy Test Kits
Around the expected date of menstruation, many people may feel anxious, wondering when to use a pregnancy test.
Most over-the-counter pregnancy tests can be used one week after the expected date of menstruation, but some can be used from the expected date itself.
You might find yourself worrying, “If I test early and it’s negative, I might be disappointed… Maybe I should wait until I’m sure my period is late and I have a stronger belief that I’m pregnant.”
These thoughts can lead to feelings of restlessness and anxiety.
Who is Prone to the Anxious Period?
The anxious period is something that many people trying to conceive experience. The stronger the desire for a baby, the more likely you are to feel anxious. Instead of thinking of these feelings as bad, try to find ways to cope with them more comfortably.
How to Cope with the Difficult Anxious Period
Talk to Family or Partner
Talking to close family members or your partner can often make you feel better. Sharing your feelings with others can lighten the burden more than keeping everything to yourself. Try not to withdraw into your shell; instead, express your feelings to your family or partner.
Avoid Stress
During the anxious period, it is natural to constantly think about “whether you are pregnant,” which can lead to stress. It is important to try to avoid accumulating stress from other sources during this time. To help with this, talk to your family and those around you and seek their support and cooperation.
Engage in Hobbies or Activities You Enjoy
The anxious period can feel incredibly long, and many people wish for it to pass quickly. To distract yourself, try spending time on hobbies and activities you enjoy.
While the word “hobby” might seem daunting, start with simple things like meeting friends, going out, or shopping.
Pay Attention to Your Diet
During this period, although you do not yet know if you are pregnant, it is advisable to avoid alcohol and caffeine intake.
For those who enjoy alcohol or coffee, this might be a challenging time. However, try finding enjoyment in alternatives like non-alcoholic beverages or decaffeinated coffee.
Things to Be Careful About During the Anxious Period
Don’t Take Online Information at Face Value
During the anxious period, it is common to search the internet for information and experience a rollercoaster of emotions. Early pregnancy symptoms can vary greatly from person to person, and some may not experience any symptoms at all.
It is important not to rely too heavily on the internet and to avoid taking all information at face value.
When Can You Use a Pregnancy Test Kit?
Most over-the-counter pregnancy tests can be used from one week after the expected date of menstruation. If you use these tests before the expected date, you might get a false negative even if you are actually pregnant, which could cause unnecessary disappointment.
Pregnancy tests that can be used from the expected date of menstruation can be purchased at stores with a pharmacist. If you want to check early, use these products.
Make sure to use the pregnancy test at the correct time and handle the results appropriately.
When Pregnancy is Confirmed
After successfully overcoming the anxious period and confirming a positive result with a pregnancy test, what preparations should you make?
Very Early Pregnancy Symptoms
Abdominal Pain
When you become pregnant, the uterus repeatedly contracts and expands, leading to pain or discomfort. Additionally, the movement of the gastrointestinal tract slows down, causing abdominal bloating and pain due to constipation.
Changes in Vaginal Discharge
When you become pregnant, the secretion of the female hormone estrogen increases, which can lead to an increase in vaginal discharge. Additionally, the discharge may become more watery and fluid, and its color may change to a milky white.
However, there are individual differences in these changes, and some people may not experience any change at all.
Bleeding
If you experience light bleeding around the expected date of your period, it may be implantation bleeding. Implantation bleeding occurs when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. The amount of blood is usually less than that of a menstrual period, and the duration is shorter, typically lasting 1-3 days.
However, this type of bleeding does not occur in all pregnant women; it is estimated to happen in about 1 in 4 pregnancies.
Strong Sleepiness
During early pregnancy, the secretion of the female hormone progesterone increases. Progesterone has the effect of making you feel more sleepy, so many people experience strong drowsiness during this time.
Could There Be No Symptoms?
There are various very early pregnancy symptoms, but many people experience no symptoms at all. If you don’t have any symptoms, don’t be discouraged; it’s important to wait patiently.
NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing)
Once the anxious period is over and you find out you are pregnant, there are many things to consider, such as choosing a maternity clinic and deciding on the method of delivery. Researching these topics in advance can help make the preparation for childbirth go more smoothly.
One of the things you should look into early is prenatal testing.
Prenatal testing involves checking the baby’s development and detecting any abnormalities during pregnancy.
There are various types of prenatal testing, but among them, NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing) stands out for its high accuracy and minimal risk, as it only requires a blood test. For trisomy 21, its sensitivity is 99.9% and its specificity is 99.90%, making it extremely reliable.
NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing) can be conducted from the time pregnancy is confirmed via ultrasound. If you are interested in prenatal testing, it is advisable to research it early.
Conclusion
We have explained the “anxious period.”
The “anxious period” is something many people trying to conceive experience, and everyone can overcome it. Although it is a challenging time, you can make it a bit easier by seeking support from those around you, engaging in activities you enjoy, and following the tips we have shared.
Article Editorial Supervisor
Dr Hiroshi Oka
NIPT specialist clinic, MD
Graduated from Keio University, School of Medicine
