11 Positive Signs After Embryo Transfer
Injections done. Trigger shot done. Egg retrieval done. The roller coaster of emotions… never done. You’ve made it this far, and you’re probably feeling many things. You likely have so many questions. Guaranteed, did the transfer work? And how on earth can I make the next two weeks go faster? are some of them.
We know IVF isn’t always smooth sailing, and your body will naturally have a few ups and downs. Success rates with IVF are improving, but it’s natural to worry about the result. The two-week wait after the embryo transfer procedure might feel like a thousand years long, but during this time, you may start to see some positive signs of embryo transfer.
Jump to…
- What is an embryo transfer?
- What happens to your body after embryo transfer?
- 11 positive signs after embryo transfer
- What if I have no symptoms after an embryo transfer?
- What should I do after an embryo transfer?
What is an embryo transfer?
Embryo transfer is an IVF procedure that involves placing an embryo into the patient’s uterus using a thin catheter. The goal is for this embryo to develop into a fetus, signaling a successful pregnancy.
To create embryos, specialists fertilize an egg with a sperm sample and monitor its development. Then, they select the healthiest and most viable embryo based on thorough embryo assessments and embryo grading to give you the best chances of successful implantation.
The embryo can be:
A fresh embryo: The embryo is stored in an incubator for up to five days after fertilization, then it is ready for the IVF process.
A frozen embryo: The embryo is frozen and preserved, ready to be used in the future.
Then, the transfer process starts. As the pregnancy progresses, you will hear doctors refer to the embryo as the “fetus.”
What happens to your body after embryo transfer?
Here is how the next steps work after the transfer:
- Day 1-2: If your embryo is transferred at the blastocyst stage (5 days after fertilization), the blastocyst begins to hatch and attaches to the uterine lining (blastocyst is the name medical professionals give to an early-stage embryo).
- Day 3-5: The blastocyst attaches firmly to the endometrium and continues to burrow into the uterine wall (a process known as implantation).
- Day 6+: If implantation is successful, your body will produce the hCG hormone, which triggers a positive pregnancy test.
- Day 10-14: You can take a pregnancy test to detect hCG levels. However, waiting for a blood test from your clinic is advised, as at-home tests can lead to false positives or negatives. Blood tests ensure more accurate results and avoid uncertainty.
11 Positive signs after embryo transfer
Some patients may start to experience symptoms during the two weeks after the embryo transfer. Others may have no symptoms or experience these signs differently, which is normal and doesn’t mean the treatment was unsuccessful.
Remember that many of these signs could also be side effects of the progesterone hormone medication your lab director or specialist advises you to take during the two-week wait. This medication is essential to regulate hormone levels, prepare the uterine lining, prevent uterine contractions, and support early pregnancy.
1. Cramping
Many people who have periods experience cramping every month (cue the hot water bottle!). Mild cramping may or may not be a positive sign of embryo transfer, as it could also be a consequence of the progesterone you take during the two-week wait.
2. Implantation bleeding or spotting
One of the first signs of implantation (when the embryo has implanted into the lining of your uterine wall, called the endometrium) is light bleeding or spotting. Despite the normalcy of this sign, many patients get worried, so it’s okay to seek some reassurance if you feel this way.
Bleeding/spotting is not necessarily a surefire signal that you are pregnant. This symptom can also occur when you continue taking progesterone for hormone production during the two-week wait.
3. Breast tenderness or swelling
Are your breasts swollen or tender to the touch? Breast tenderness is a common sign of positive embryo transfer and can continue throughout pregnancy. You may experience changes around the areola and nipple area and sore sensations around the breast tissue.
4. Fatigue or tiredness
Feeling extra sleepy can be a sign that the embryo transfer worked or can be a consequence of the hormone changes. Higher progesterone levels cause tiredness, and you might feel fatigued even after simple tasks like house chores and a short walk. Unfortunately, sleepiness is one thing that won’t go away after birth, as many new parents can confirm!
5. Changes in discharge
The changes in your hormones can cause increased vaginal discharge, which your body produces to help stop vaginal infections from reaching your uterus. This symptom is more common if you have been taking vaginal progesterone tablets. Normal and healthy vaginal discharge is usually clear or white with a mild odor. You can check in with your doctor if yours is different or accompanied by burning or itching sensations.
6. Nausea or morning sickness
Nausea and morning sickness are some of the most uncomfortable and unwanted signs of a positive embryo transfer. These symptoms can also occur during your pregnancy at 4-6 weeks. If this symptom becomes frequent, mention it to your doctor.
7. Increased need to urinate
Taking a pit stop more frequently can be a positive sign of embryo transfer. Behind the scenes, your body produces more progesterone and a hormone called hCG, which means more work for your kidneys and a need to urinate.
Frequent bathroom visits can also be caused by a urinary tract infection (UTI). Consult your doctor if you’re also experiencing symptoms like fever, pain when you go to the toilet, or blood in your urine. UTIs are very common and treatable, so there’s no need to panic.
8. Changes in appetite or taste
After embryo transfer, some patients may experience cravings for certain foods or develop strong aversions to specific tastes or smells. These changes in appetite or taste are often due to hormonal fluctuations. Your sensory perceptions and digestive processes can change as your body adjusts to new hormonal levels, such as increased progesterone. However, external factors, such as stress, can also influence these changes.
9. Mood swings
The surge in hormones can also affect your mood. Some patients may experience heightened sensitivity or sudden bursts of happiness or sadness (the true meaning of a rollercoaster of emotions!). While these sudden changes in emotional states may be frustrating, they are a natural part of your body adjusting to pregnancy hormones.
10. Bloating
Bloating is a very common pregnancy symptom (though remember that everybody feels things differently), and it’s closely related to the higher progesterone levels in your body. While progesterone supports uterine lining and early pregnancy, it also causes digestion to slow down and can lead to fluid retention. This will make you feel uncomfortably full or swollen in the abdominal area. While a common symptom, bloating can also be a side effect of medications, stress, or simply the specific foods you eat.
11. Missed periods
A missed period is one of the most well-known signs of pregnancy and could indicate a positive embryo transfer. The reason why you stop having a period during pregnancy is because your body will produce a hormone that blocks ovulation and the shedding of your uterus lining. Your period will resume after you’ve given birth.
Although missed periods can also be due to things like stress, poor diet, and excessive exercise, a late or missed period after the embryo transfer means it’s time to take a pregnancy test.
What if I have no symptoms after an embryo transfer?
Remember that some patients have zero signs after the embryo transfer, and this doesn’t always mean that the treatment has failed. Whether or not you have symptoms depends on factors like:
- Variability: Everyone’s body is different, and the above symptoms won’t apply to everyone. Factors such as hormonal levels, genetics, and overall health can impact these symptoms.
- Medication: After an embryo transfer, your doctor may prescribe progesterone to strengthen your uterine lining and ease implementation. Some symptoms of progesterone are the same as signs of early pregnancy, such as sore breasts and fatigue.
- No signs yet: You may only start to see signs further into the pregnancy. This time variable depends on how long it takes for the embryo to implant and for your body to produce the pregnancy hormone, hCG, in detectable amounts. You may also have very mild symptoms during the first trimester.
Nowadays, IVF solutions leverage AI to improve your chances of a successful pregnancy. However, a positive pregnancy test is the only way to know if your embryo transfer succeeded. Despite your anxiousness and excitement, try to hold off on doing a pregnancy test too soon—ideally, you should wait for two weeks after the process.
What should I do after an embryo transfer?
Here are some self-care suggestions to help you stay healthy and calm during the two-week wait after an embryo transfer.
Do:
- Rest: Many patients take time off work and other commitments to minimize the need for high-stress, high-impact activities.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions: Your doctor will be an expert in embryo transfer procedures, so they know best. If you are concerned about anything, simply ask them.
- Eat a healthy diet: A Mediterranean, high-fiber, high-protein diet full of fruit and vegetables will help you stay healthy after the embryo transfer.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, to stay hydrated. It’s an excellent excuse to buy yourself a funky new drink bottle (Stanley Cup, anyone?).
- Manage stress: Practice anxiety and stress management techniques like slow breathing to keep your jitters in check.
- Get enough sleep: Practice good sleep habits, like minimizing blue light exposure before bed, to ensure you get your forty winks (and more if you feel like you need them).
- Be patient: The two-week wait can feel like a lifetime, but staying calm and patient is essential. Keep yourself busy with low-impact activities like walking, seeing friends—and even watching a new show.
Don’t:
- Don’t smoke or drink alcohol: Smoking and drinking can pose a risk to your baby, so you should stay away from these right away.
- Don’t take hot baths or use saunas: Hot flushes are common after embryo transfer, so you should regulate your temperature.
- Don’t engage in strenuous activity: Avoid high-impact exercise and sexual activity after embryo transfer. Yes, you can avoid that crazy exercise class your friend was begging you to attend (and maybe you can skip out on washing the dishes, too).
- Don’t stress: Remember, you’re not alone on your IVF journey. Friends and family, IVF support groups, and professionals like therapists are all there as a shoulder to lean on.
Gain more understanding of your IVF journey
A successful embryo transfer is a hugely exciting step in your IVF journey. We hope you’re close to celebrating this! While it’s natural to feel disheartened by a negative result, it’s common for patients like yourself to do everything right, and the embryo still doesn’t catch.
AIVF helps clarify every stage of the IVF process, providing valuable data and insights that increase visibility and understanding throughout your treatment.
Our AI-powered IVF solutions support your clinic in analyzing your embryo’s health with precision and accuracy and with no requirement for testing that is invasive to your body.
Because our advanced technologies automate embryo evaluation, they help speed up the decision-making process of choosing an embryo before transfer and give you the best chances of success.
Find an AIVF clinic near you to ensure that you maximize your chances of pregnancy and stay informed during every step of your IVF journey.