This is Infertility is a bi-weekly podcast where we fuse narrative storytelling with experience and science to give you a new perspective on what it’s really like to go through a family building journey. Each episode dives into the emotional, physical, and financial burdens carried by those who experience infertility on their path to parenthood. Be it IVF, IUI, egg freezing, surrogacy, adoption, etc., the path is never the same and it can be long, painful, and lonely. It’s our mission to give those struggling a platform to be heard, a community connection, and an opportunity to raise awareness of the 1 in 6 who, for many reasons, struggle with infertility.

Episode 29: The Two-Week Wait During Fertility Treatment: Surviving, Coping, and Finding Support

The two-week wait is a term used to describe the period of time in between a fertility treatment cycle and the first blood pregnancy test. It can be an extremely stressful time, often filled with anxiety, worries, and frustrations.

In today’s episode, we sit down with Dr. Georgia Witkin, a clinical psychologist and infertility expert, who discusses a number of survival and coping methods that can help alleviate some of the stress of waiting. We’ll learn how connecting with friends, doing light exercise, and practicing self-care are some of the various ways in which individuals can keep themselves busy during the two-week wait. Dr. Witkin also provides some ideas for how partners can offer support and comfort during this critical time.

Expert: Dr. Georgia Witkin, Head of Member Services Development at Progyny

Host: Lissa Kline, VP of Provider and Member Services at Progyny

For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page.

To find resources about the two-week wait mentioned in this episode, visit Progyny’s Education page.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.

About the Speakers

Host : Lissa Kline

LCSW, VP of Member & Provider Services at Progyny

Guest : Dr. Georgia Witkin

Head of Patient Services Development for Progyny

Host : Lissa Kline

LCSW, VP of Member & Provider Services at Progyny

Lissa oversees the Patient Care Advocates and the Provider Relations Team. She worked at Columbia University Medical Center for several years in the division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Involved in Patient Services and the Donor Egg Program, she loved working with patients while they underwent fertility treatment. Lissa graduated with a Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University.

Guest : Dr. Georgia Witkin

Head of Patient Services Development for Progyny

Dr. Witkin is also an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Ob/Gyn and Reproductive Sciences at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, and Director of Psychological Services for RMA of NY. She is the author of 12 acclaimed books, including The Female Stress Survival Guide, The Male Stress Survival Guide, and Stress Relief for Disasters Great and Small, and is a prolific writer of research articles about women, stress, and reproductive medicine. She has been honored by the AIA, AFA, Resolve, and City of Hope. She has also served as a health reporter/host for CNBC, WNBC, and the Fox News Channel, and has been featured as a guest expert on 20/20, The Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS Evening News, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and CNN.

Music From This Episode

Artist: sawsquarenoise

Track: El Pastor Cordial

URL: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/sawsquarenoise/~/El_Pastor_Cordial

Artist: how the night came

Track: Reflection

URL: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/how_the_night_came/how_the_night_came__1_selections/how_the_night_came_-_06_Reflection

Artist: Philipp Weigl

Track: Western Shores

URL: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Philipp_Weigl/Sound-trax/Philipp_Weigl_-_07_-_Western_Shores