What Happens after Embryo transfer: Day-by-day Symptoms

Table of Content

• What Is Embryo Transfer?

• How Long Does an Embryo Transfer Take?

• What Happens After Embryo Transfer?

• After Embryo Transfer Day by Day Symptoms: Day 1 to Day 14

• No Symptoms After Embryo Transfer: Is That Normal?

• What To Do After Embryo Transfer To Increase Success?

• Take Home Points

• FAQs on Embryo Transfer

Introduction 

If you’re going through IVF treatment for infertility, You may have come across the term embryo transfer but what is embryo transfer? Embryo transfer is very minimally invasive, it is quite similar to a pap smear if you have gone through Carcinoma cervix screening. 

What are after embryo transfer day-by-day symptoms? How to improve the chances of embryo transfer? What are the signs after embryo transfer? In this blog, we’ll cover these topics.

What Is Embryo Transfer?

If your doctor has planned IVF treatment for your infertility, then it is quite likely that you have encountered the term Embryo transfer, What is embryo transfer? 

Embryo transfer is the process of transferring embryos which are created as a part of In vitro fertilization. This is done so that the fertilized embryo which is created through IVF gets implanted into the Uterus.

There can be different types of embryo transfer like fresh embryo transfer, frozen embryo transfer, blastocyst, multiple embryo transfer, etc.

You may be interested in knowing What happens after embryo transfer. What are the signs after embryo transfer? What are the after-embryo transfer day-by-day symptoms? Because an embryo is from the doctor's part when you experience the symptoms. So it is better to know what is normal after embryo transfer symptoms.

How Long Does an Embryo Transfer Take?

If you have undergone a pap smear you may have noticed the doctor putting on a speculum and then taking a pap smear. Embryo transfer is similar in that it is not invasive and is a short procedure.

It usually takes 15-30 minutes to transfer embryos, The Doctor puts a catheter with some fluid for ease of embryo transfer and then injects those into the womb through the cervix and then into the uterus.

You may rest for 30 minutes to 1 hour but it is not necessary. The whole procedure from transportation, setup, and transfer can take up 2 to hours. There is nothing to fear because embryo transfer is very minimally invasive. If you’re wondering about after-embryo transfer day-by-day symptoms we’ll be discussing them in the next sections.

What Happens After Embryo Transfer?

After you have gone through the procedure of embryo transfer what happens after that? What are after-embryo transfer symptoms?

Here are some points to keep in mind to understand what happens day by day after embryo transfer:

• Day 1 and Day 2; Blastocyst Hatches:

Blastocyst hatches from zona pellucida( covering around embryo formed) which causes Blastocyst to attach to the uterus.

• Day 3: Implantation:

Implantation begins when the blastocyst starts attaching to the uterus.

• Day 4 and 5 Implantation Completes:

Completion of implantation takes place on days 4 and 5.

• Day 6: HCG Release:

On Day 6, after implantation, HCG is released but it is undetectable.

• Day 7 and 8: Further Development:

Further development continues which leads to further release of HCG.

• Day 9: HCG Becomes Detectable:

HCG attains certain levels which may be detectable, but advanced tests are needed, and a routine pregnancy kit can't.

After Embryo Transfer Day by Day Symptoms: Day 1 to Day 14

After the embryo transfer procedure, what is after embryo transfer day-by-day symptoms? And what are the signs after embryo transfer? After completion of pregnancy, it will take 14 days to detect pregnancy:

• Day 1-3 after embryo transfer symptoms:

Some mild symptoms can be experienced in the first 72 hours. If fertilization happens the embryo divides and moves towards the uterus for attachment or implantation.

1. Usually, no or very mild symptoms are experienced.

2. Mild cramping due to embryo attachment 

3. Mood swings due to anxiety about IVF 

4. Mild discharge due to embryo transfer procedure

5. Fatigue due to changing hormonal status

• Day 4-6 after Embryo transfer Symptoms:

Embryo further develops from day 4 to day 6 and reaches the uterus, it starts attaching to the uterus. At this stage, symptoms are usually experienced because of changing hormonal status.

1. Cramping

2. Constipation

3. Breast tenderness 

4. Increased Urination

• Day 7-9 day by day after Embryo transfer Symptoms:

Implantation gets completed by day 7 and the embryo gets attached to the uterus.

1. You may experience bloating, nausea, headache, sore nipples

2. Uterine bleeds due to implantation.

3. If you’re experiencing some unusual symptoms it is better to talk to a Doctor.

• Day 10-12 day by day after Embryo transfer Symptoms:

After 10-12 days after embryo transfer if embryo transfer is successful hormones start to level rise and women experience. Here signs after embryo transfer:

1. Increased thirst

2. Increased hunger

3. Mild cramping

4. Fatigue 

5. Mood swings, these all happen because of hormone levels.

• Day 13-14 after Embryo Transfer day-by-day Symptoms:

Finally, the two-week waiting period is over. Here are signs after embryo transfer, after 13-14 days

1. Positive pregnancy test

2. Breast changes

3. Nausea and vomiting 

No Symptoms After Embryo Transfer: Is That Normal?

After reading through day by day after embryo transfer symptoms, If you’re experiencing no symptoms after embryo transfer is that normal?

Almost 10-15% of patients who undergo embryo transfer have no symptoms even if hormonal levels in the body rise.

It is normal to experience very mild to no symptoms after embryo transfer. 

What To Do After Embryo Transfer To Increase Success?

There are a few things that you can do to improve the success of embryo transfer. Here are the tips:

• Eating foods rich in antioxidants:

Eating food rich in antioxidants decreases oxidative stress on the body and reduces the chances of embryo transfer failure. Whole foods and whole grains also help boost fertility.

• Maintaining a healthy weight:

Maintaining a healthy weight is important to maintain fertility and increase the chances of embryo transfer.

• Quit smoking and Alcohol:

Quitting alcohol and smoking is important as these are detrimental to the mother’s fertility and also harm the baby.

• Regular exercise:

Regular exercise helps in maintaining a healthy weight. It also boosts mood and helps in coping with the anxiety associated with embryo transfer.

Take Home Points

• What is embryo transfer? Embryo transfer is the process of transferring embryos which are created as a part of In vitro fertilization. 

• This is done so that the fertilized embryo which is created through IVF gets implanted into the Uterus

• There can be different types of embryo transfer like fresh embryo transfer, frozen embryo transfer, blastocyst, multiple embryo transfer 

• The whole procedure from transportation, setup, and transfer can take up 2 to hours. There is nothing to fear because embryo transfer is very minimally invasive.

• After embryo transfer day by day, symptoms include mood swings, increased thirst, increased urination and breast changes. It increases as the day passes.

• Lifestyle modifications are an important component in improving the chances of embryo transfer. Lifestyle modifications include eating healthy, regular exercise, quitting smoking and alcohol.