Have you recently undergone an embryo transfer? Then, first, congratulations on successfully completing the IVF procedure.
The days after embryo transfer are the most important period of your IVF treatments. This is when the transferred embryo implants into your uterine lining, and you start experiencing symptoms that determine whether you are pregnant or not.
So, what happens after embryo transfer? What symptoms would you experience if you had a positive pregnancy?
Let’s look at the day-by-day symptoms you will experience after embryo transfer in detail in this article.
Days 1-3: The Early Days
Let’s consider the day of embryo transfer as Day 1. During the first three days after embryo transfer, your embryo will be in the process of trying to implant into the uterus.
First, the embryo will hatch out of its shell. This is a slow process and will take around two days. So, for the first two or three days, the embryo will be trying to hatch out of the shell that’s covering it.
Around the end of the third day or the beginning of the fourth day, the embryo will start its implantation process.
Days 4-6: Implantation Window
The days 4 to 6 after embryo transfer are when implantation takes place in your uterus. This period is called the implantation window.
Your uterus will have developed an endometrial lining (also called the uterine lining) to cushion the embryo. During implantation, the embryo will bury itself deep into the uterine lining.
This can cause slight abdominal cramps and pelvic pain. This will probably be the first symptom you might experience after embryo transfer. You will also witness slight bleeding or spotting after this implantation.
Your basal body temperature (BBT) also increases slightly during implantation. This is similar to how your BBT increases during ovulation.
This typically happens during the end of the 6th or 7th day after embryo transfer. Your body will also start releasing the hCG hormones (pregnancy hormones) during this period.
Day 7 After Embryo Transfer: Early Pregnancy Symptoms
Your embryo will start developing in the uterus, and the hCG levels in your body will also be gradually increasing. This is when you will start experiencing certain symptoms like nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness, mood swings, etc.
These symptoms are mainly caused by the hormonal changes that occur in your body due to an increase in hCG levels. They are usually symptoms of a positive pregnancy.
However, these symptoms can also happen because of the hormonal changes happening in your body due to the IVF treatment. So, don’t be hasty and judge your pregnancy result.
14 Days After Embryo Transfer Symptoms
Your body will be overflowing with the hCG hormones right now, and you will also start experiencing pregnancy symptoms more intensely. Some symptoms you might experience after two weeks of embryo transfer are,
- More intense nausea and vomiting,
- Missing your period,
- Breast tenderness,
- Bloating,
- Increased urge to urinate, etc.
If you are not sure about these symptoms indicating a positive pregnancy, you can take a urine pregnancy test at home. The pregnancy kit measures the hCG levels in your urine.
So, if you are pregnant, your hCG levels will be high, which will be measured by the pregnancy kit. These pregnancy kits has an accuracy of 98% when you used it as per instruction. So, it is more advisable to visit the nearby Fertility hospital and take a blood test or ultrasound to confirm pregnancy.
How Many Days After Period Should An Embryo Transfer Take Place?
There are two methods of embryo transfer:
- Fresh embryo transfer and
- Frozen embryo transfer (also called FET).
A fresh embryo transfer typically happens about 3 or 5 days after embryo transfer.
In a frozen embryo transfer, however, your egg/embryo will be frozen and stored for future use. Here, your uterus needs to be prepared for embryo transfer. There are two ways your embryo can be transferred in FET.
Natural Cycle FET
Here, the embryo transfer will be performed according to your natural ovulation cycle. Every month, your uterus will grow endometrial tissue to implant the fertilized egg.
The uterus has high receptivity around the time of ovulation. Your fertility doctor will monitor uterine receptivity and conduct embryo transfer at the right time.
Typically, FET happens around 19–21 days from the start of your previous period.
Medicated Cycle FET
In a medicated cycle FET, you will be given medications to induce ovulation and prepare the uterus for implantation. The embryo transfer will happen when the doctor determines the uterus has high receptivity.
This increases the chances of implantation. In a medicated cycle, the embryo transfer will happen after 15–18 days from the start of your previous period.
Conclusion
It is essential for you to understand what symptoms you might experience after an embryo transfer. This will help you be prepared and take the necessary steps to cope with them. If you didn’t experience any symptoms even after 14 days, then it may be the reason of IVF Failure.
You can also consult our fertility experts if you are unsure about certain symptoms and need clarification. Our experts will check your conditions and will recommend to another cycle of IVF Treatment if needed. It is always best to clarify your doubts rather than be anxious about their cause.
You will start experiencing certain pregnancy symptoms around one or two weeks after pregnancy. This is caused by the hCG hormones that are being constantly released into your bloodstream.
Yes, it is completely normal to experience no symptoms for a few weeks after an embryo transfer. So, don’t worry if your IVF cycle has failed. Take a pregnancy test or consult your doctor to confirm your pregnancy.
You don’t need to go under complete bed rest after embryo transfer. However, it is best to take it easy and avoid strenuous activities for some days. Don’t put too much pressure on your body.
