There are no clear signs that an embryo transfer (ET) is successful until the patient takes a pregnancy test. That’s why the waiting period between an ET and a pregnancy test often feels like an eternity for patients.

But, women who’ve undergone ET, especially frozen ET, should not panic during this period. The Best egg freezing clinics strongly advise patients to wait for at least two weeks before getting pregnancy tests.

Why It’s Important to Wait After Embryo Transfer

Fertility specialists recommend the two-week waiting period for various reasons –

• The chances of getting accurate results from the pregnancy test are much higher when you wait for the whole two-week period.
• Patients go through various emotions during this process. Following a clear schedule (two weeks of waiting) makes it easier to manage those emotions.
• Patients often experience symptoms that may indicate successful procedures during the waiting period. But, these symptoms may be related to fertility medications the patients may have taken in the past (or are currently taking).

The HCG Risk

Pregnancy tests that are taken too soon after the ET often produce false results. That’s because pregnancy tests measure the amount of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in the body. 

It’s a hormone that indicates what phase of the fertility journey the patient is currently in. In the early stages of pregnancy, female bodies don’t produce large amounts of HCG. You could be pregnant and still receive a negative result in your pregnancy test.

Hormones May Trick You

Patients typically have to take supplements like estrogen or progesterone before and after the ET. These hormone supplements mimic various pregnancy symptoms such as – sore breasts, bloating, etc.

Your body may trick you into believing that you are pregnant right after an ET process. The exact opposite may also happen. That’s why all patients must wait for two weeks to verify the success of their ET processes. If you’re having trouble waiting, here’s a rundown of the things you can expect after an ET –

What to Expect After an Embryo Transfer Process?

Ever since egg freezing costs in Mumbai have gone down, more couples have opted for frozen embryo transfers. Frozen ET has a much higher chance of success than Fresh ET. But, until patients take pregnancy tests, nothing can be confirmed.

Here’s are some of the symptoms you may experience during this two-week wait –  

• Light bleeding. It means the embryo may have implanted itself into the linings of your uterine wall. But, spotting or bleeding are also common side-effects of taking hormone medications like progesterone. Before two weeks, it’s hard to confirm whether the bleeding is or isn’t a sign of a successful ET.
• Mild cramps are also side-effects of taking hormone medications like progesterone. But, they may also indicate successful implantation.
• Sore breasts are one of the most prevalent symptoms of pregnancy. However, patients who inject or orally consume hormones also experience breast tenderness.
• Morning sickness is not a symptom of a successful ET. That’s because pregnant women don’t experience morning sickness before the second month of their pregnancies. Women who’ve undergone ET may experience nausea for other health reasons. They must consult with their doctors to address these nausea-inducing health issues.

Other “false symptoms” include – bloating and the increased need to urinate. Although both these symptoms are common in pregnant women – they don’t guarantee the success of your ET.

What if I Experience No Symptoms? 

Patients who don’t experience any of these symptoms shouldn’t feel concerned either. The presence/absence of these symptoms doesn’t predict pregnancy outcomes. Instead of feeling anxious, patients must speak with their doctors and embryo cryopreservation experts during the two-week waiting period. Ask them for diet tips, exercise tips, etc.

It’s normal to feel emotional or stressed during the two-week waiting period. But, the wait is worthwhile and important!