Positive Signs After Embryo Transfer
Have you recently undergone an IVF procedure and are expecting pregnancy results? You might wonder if there are any symptoms you would experience if you had a positive embryo transfer.
In this article, we will discuss those symptoms and help you understand what symptoms you can expect to experience if you had a positive IVF treatment
Success Symptoms After An Embryo Transfer
Like a natural pregnancy, you will also experience certain symptoms if the embryo transfer is successful and you get pregnant. These symptoms are unique for each woman, and each might experience them at varying intensities.
Below are some of the most common positive symptoms that IVF women experience after an embryo transfer. Don’t worry if you don’t experience some of the ones we are going to discuss below. Most women only experience some of those symptoms yet have a healthy pregnancy.
Bleeding Or Spotting
This bleeding usually happens about a week after embryo transfer when the embryo implants into the uterine lining.
During implantation, the embryo will burrow deep into the uterine lining. This can affect some blood vessels in the uterus and cause slight bleeding. This bleeding will appear light pinkish or brownish in color and disappear in a few days.
Note: Don’t confuse this blood with menstrual blood. Unlike implantation bleeding, menstrual blood will last longer and will usually be bright red in color.
Cramping Or Bloating
Along with implantation bleeding, you might also get mild abdominal cramping. When the embryo implants into your uterus, it might put slight pressure on your pelvic area. This can cause cramping.
Bloating is another common symptom of pregnancy. This is caused by the progesterone hormone that is released during pregnancy. Excess progesterone in the body can cause digestive issues and result in bloating.
These two symptoms are normal and will disappear in a few days. However, if you have excess cramping or bloating, consult your fertility doctor.
Sore Or Painful Breasts
A successful embryo transfer will also cause sore or painful breasts. This is caused by the sudden hormonal changes occurring in the body during pregnancy. They can make your breasts sensitive and tender. You can also see your areola darkening. All these are pregnancy related symptoms.
Hormonal injections can also cause tender breasts. So, it is not a definite sign of a successful pregnancy.
Tired Or Fatigued
Pregnancy can also make you tired and fatigued. Your body suddenly undergoes a lot of physical and hormonal changes in a short period of time after pregnancy. It also releases excess progesterone hormones to sustain a healthy pregnancy. All these can tire your body and make you feel tired and exhausted.
The hormonal changes and the invasive procedures you undergo during IVF can also make you feel tired. You might also feel it after embryo transfer.
Discharge
After a successful embryo transfer, the consistency and amount of your vaginal discharge will change. The discharge might be thin, white, and mild-smelling during the early weeks of pregnancy. This is caused by the increased progesterone hormones in the body.
This discharge acts as a barrier and prevents infections or germs from reaching the uterus and affecting the developing embryo.
Frequent Urination
You might also notice an increased urge to urinate during pregnancy. This happens because, after embryo implantation, your body will increase the blood flow to the uterus to establish blood flow with the embryo and facilitate healthy embryo development.
This also happens due to the sudden increase in hCG and progesterone hormones. However, if you have painful urination, it can indicate a UTI (urinary tract infection), and it requires medical attention.
Hot Flashes
Though uncommon in most women, hot flashes can sometimes be a sign of early pregnancy. This is mainly caused by the progesterone hormones during pregnancy.
Hot flashes are also a common sign of menopause. So, if you are unsure what the symptom indicates, consult your doctor immediately.
Missed Period
Missing your menstrual period is one of the most common symptoms of pregnancy. However, this is only for women who have had regular periods before the treatment.
If you have PCOS or other ovulation problems before starting your IVF treatments, missing a period can’t signify a positive pregnancy.
Tiredness And Fatigue
You might also start feeling a bit tired and exhausted after a positive embryo transfer. Your body undergoes rapid hormonal changes and is also getting ready to carry a baby inside. This can be a lot of work for your body.
You might also feel tired and fatigued due to the hormonal injections and IVF procedures. So, being tired after an embryo transfer does not necessarily signify a positive pregnancy.
Nausea
Nausea is one of the most common symptoms of pregnancy. You might have heard it as morning sickness during pregnancy. This usually occurs during the first trimester when your body is still adjusting to the hormone and body changes.
You might also experience nausea and vomiting due to hormonal injections. So, it might not be a definite sign of pregnancy.
What If You Didn't Receive Any Symptoms?
Have you undergone an IVF procedure and did not experience any of the above symptoms? Do not worry.
It is absolutely normal for you to experience very minimal to no symptoms after an IVF procedure. Several other women have also not experienced any symptoms but went on to successfully get pregnant and gave birth to a healthy child.
The symptoms you experience mainly depend on your body and hormonal conditions. So, don’t worry if you don’t experience much symptoms. Take a pregnancy test to confirm pregnancy.
When To Take A Pregnancy Test?
It is normal for you to be anxious about your pregnancy and want to know the result as soon as possible. However, it is recommended to leave at least two weeks (10 to 14 days) gap between the embryo transfer and pregnancy.
These two weeks will give the embryo enough time to implant into the uterus and your body to release the pregnancy hormones (hCG hormones).
Your pregnancy test kit will measure the level of hCG hormones in your urine and determine pregnancy. When you take the pregnancy test too soon, your body won’t have enough hCG hormones for your body to detect, resulting in a negative pregnancy test.
Conclusion
The symptoms we discussed above are some of the positive signs you can expect after an embryo transfer. However, you should note that you can also experience these symptoms due to the hormonal injections and invasive procedures you undergo during IVF.
It is best to take a pregnancy test to confirm your pregnancy. You can contact your fertility hospital if you have any doubts or concern regarding symptoms during IVF pregnancy.
It will take approximately two weeks for you to start experiencing pregnancy symptoms after an embryo transfer. You can take a pregnancy test to confirm pregnancy.
It is normal for you to be anxious about your pregnancy and want to know the result as soon as possible. However, it is recommended to leave at least two weeks (10 to 14 days) gap between the embryo transfer and pregnancy.
These two weeks will give the embryo enough time to implant into the uterus and your body to release the pregnancy hormones (hCG hormones).
It is absolutely normal for you to experience very minimal to no symptoms after an IVF procedure. Several other women have also not experienced any symptoms but went on to successfully get pregnant and gave birth to a healthy child.
