IVF (In vitro fertilization) is a huge step for women who have difficulty getting pregnant. IVF involves a series of complex procedures, starting from ovarian stimulation to the final embryo transfer procedure.
Most people consider embryo transfer (transferring embryos into the uterus) as the most difficult part of the entire IVF treatment. But, they don’t realize that the real difficult period is the two weeks between embryo transfer and taking a pregnancy test.
You might have gone through so much physical and mental stress during the IVF procedure, and not experiencing any pregnancy symptoms after the embryo transfer can take a toll on you.
In this article, we’ll discuss if it is normal to not have any symptoms after an embryo transfer and the usual symptoms you can look out for to confirm pregnancy as well as the negative symptoms. This can help you get insights on what to expect after embryo transfer.
Is It Normal to Have No Symptoms After Embryo Transfer?
And the answer to this question is, YES, it is absolutely normal to have no symptoms after an embryo transfer procedure. Most doctors recommend couples wait at least two weeks before taking a pregnancy test.
This is to give the embryo time to implant in the uterine lining and produce the hCG hormones (pregnancy hormones). Your home pregnancy test (urine test) or blood test confirms pregnancy by measuring the hCG levels in your urine or blood to determine your pregnancy.
You will usually start experiencing pregnancy symptoms around this time. But there are also times when you won’t experience any symptoms. This delay is probably due to the hormonal imbalance caused by the fertility medications you took during ovulation stimulation.
Thing You can do after no symptoms
1. Take a pregnancy test
Taking a pregnancy test two weeks after embryo transfer will most likely answer whether you are pregnant or not. A positive result means you are pregnant, and the symptoms are just taking some days to appear. But what do you do if you get a negative result?
2. Take a pregnancy test again after some days
Sometimes, your pregnancy test result might turn out negative. This may be because your body has not realized the pregnancy and started producing hCG hormones. Or, it might be because the embryo did not implant in the uterus, and your IVF cycle failed.
It is best to visit your fertility doctor for a blood test and an ultrasound to confirm your pregnancy.
embryo transfer Positive signs and negative singn
| Positive signs | Negative signs |
|---|---|
|
Light spotting or bleeding |
Absence of Pregnancy Symptoms |
|
Cramping and pelvic pain |
Severe Abdominal Pain |
|
Delayed periods |
Heavy Bleeding |
|
Tender or sore breasts |
High Fever |
|
Tender or sore breasts |
Persistent Severe Leg Pain |
positive signs after embryo transfer
1. Light spotting or bleeding
This is the first and most important sign of a successful IVF cycle. Light spotting or bleeding around 1 or 2 weeks after embryo transfer often happens when the embryo successfully implants in the uterine lining.
Note: Menstrual bleeding is different from implantation bleeding. So, don’t confuse them.
To know about bleeding during ivf pregnancy read the linked article
2. Cramping and pelvic pain
Mild cramping and pelvic pain might also indicate a successful implantation and pregnancy. However, it might also happen because of your menstruation. So, cramps and pelvic pain are not definite symptoms of pregnancy.
3. Delayed periods
4. Tender or sore breasts
5. Fatigue and tiredness
Fatigue and tiredness are usual symptoms of pregnancy, whether it is through IVF or natural pregnancy. Women who underwent IVF might feel more fatigue and tiredness due to the hormonal medications.
It is best to take adequate rest during the period to nourish your body for pregnancy.
6. Nausea & vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are also normal during pregnancy. So, you can expect some nausea followed by vomiting if you had a successful implantation.
7. Vaginal discharge
Women often experience some changes in the consistency, color, and odor of their vaginal discharge during the beginning stages of their pregnancy. This often happens during the first two weeks of pregnancy.
8. Wanting to pee often
The increase in hCG and progesterone hormones in the body might increase your need to pee during pregnancy. This is also one of the early signs of pregnancy.
9. Leg Pain
leg pain after an embryo transfer can sometimes be experienced as a symptom, although it is less commonly discussed than other symptoms. This discomfort is usually mild and can be attributed to several factors like Hormonal Changes ,Circulatory Changes and Stress and Tension.
Negative signs after embryo transfer
- Absence of Pregnancy Symptoms: A lack of common pregnancy symptoms such as nausea, breast tenderness, or fatigue might be concerning to some, though symptoms can vary widely.
- Severe Abdominal Pain: While mild cramping can be normal, severe abdominal pain after embryo transfer may indicate complications.
- Heavy Bleeding: Spotting is common, but heavy bleeding could be a sign of a failed implantation or other issues.
- High Fever: A fever above 100.5°F could suggest an infection and requires immediate medical attention.
- Persistent Severe Leg Pain: While leg pain can occur, persistent severe pain might indicate a more serious condition such as a blood clot.
After embryo transfer negative pregnancy test
Receiving a negative pregnancy test after an embryo transfer can be disheartening, but it’s important to remember that it doesn’t always mean the end of the journey. Factors such as the timing of the test and individual hormonal levels can affect the result. Consultation with your healthcare provider for further guidance and potential next steps is crucial. They may suggest waiting a few more days and retesting, as early testing can sometimes lead to inaccurate results.
What Do Experts Say About having no symptoms?
You don’t have to worry too much about not having any symptoms after embryo transfer. According to experts, 10–15% of women don’t experience any symptoms after embryo transfer.
They also say that each woman’s body is different and no one woman experiences pregnancy like the other. Each pregnancy is different, and the symptom one get may not be experienced by the other.
They often suggest women wait for a few days or visit their fertility doctor to get a blood test to confirm pregnancy.
no symptoms after embryo transfer success stories
Gayathri and Saravanan’s Success Story: No Symptoms After Embryo Transfer
Gayathri and Saravanan struggled with infertility for years. Turning to Dr. Geetha Haripriya at PFRC, they found hope. After a detailed consultation and a personalized treatment plan, Gayathri underwent an IVF.
To her surprise, she experienced no symptoms after the procedure. Dr. Geetha Haripriya assured her that this was normal and advised not to panic. Two weeks later, the pregnancy test confirmed success. Gayathri and Saravanan are now joyfully expecting their baby, thanks to the expert care from Dr. Geetha Haripriya and the PFRC team.
Conclusion
The first two weeks after embryo transfer can be an emotional roller coaster for most couples. You might be eagerly expecting to get those pregnancy symptoms, and not having them can be upsetting.
Remember that not having those symptoms after embryo transfer does not confirm a failed pregnancy. It might just be your body delaying to show them. Wait a few days and reach out to the nearby Fertility Hospital if you don’t experience any symptoms.
FAQs
The absence of white discharge after embryo transfer does not necessarily indicate a negative outcome or complication. Every woman’s body responds differently to the procedure, and symptoms can vary widely. It’s important to focus on overall well-being and consult with a healthcare provider for personalized advice and support.
Experiencing no symptoms 9 days after embryo transfer is not uncommon and does not automatically signify a failed procedure. Every individual’s body reacts differently to embryo transfer, with some women showing early pregnancy symptoms and others not. It’s essential to remain patient and wait for the official pregnancy test for accurate results.
Lack of breast tenderness after embryo transfer doesn’t necessarily predict the outcome of the procedure. Symptoms can vary greatly among individuals, and not all women experience the same signs of early pregnancy. It’s important to stay positive and await the results of the pregnancy test for confirmation.
Most women start experiencing their pregnancy symptoms around 2 weeks after embryo transfer. But it is also possible for women to experience no symptoms and still be pregnant. It might be because their body is taking some time to realize the pregnancy and produce the pregnancy hormones.
