IVF (In-Vitro Fertilization) is one of the popular assisted reproductive techniques used to help couples have a child. IVF is highly successful at promoting pregnancy and it involves combining sperm and egg in a lab for fertilization. After the formation of the embryo, it is transferred into the woman’s uterus for implantation. Though the procedure looks simple, it involves multiple steps and you need to be patient throughout the process.
If you have chosen IVF, you will be excited about the final pregnancy. But, as mentioned, IVF involves multiple steps to assist your body through different stages of conceiving. It is important to know that you should wait for a certain time to take a pregnancy test.
Blastocyst or Embryo Transfer in IVF
After fertilizing sperm and egg in the lab, embryos are formed. The embryos will be monitored for 5 days and it is called the blastocyst stage. The embryologist will then select the healthiest embryo for the transfer. Embryo transfer is considered as the last step of IVF and it helps you become pregnant. But the embryo must get implanted into the uterus lining to become pregnant. The doctor will tell you about the right time to take a pregnancy test.
How Does a Pregnancy Test Work?
A pregnancy test measures the amount of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) using your urine or blood sample. The hCG hormone is produced by the placenta during pregnancy to support the growing embryo to implant into the endometrium. This occurs approximately after 6 days of fertilization. The hCG levels keep raising through the pregnancy for up to 10 weeks.
If you take a home pregnancy test early, the test may not detect enough hCG levels even if you are pregnant.
When Can I Take a Pregnancy Test After IVF?
Every woman will keep monitoring their body hoping that her body would show the signs of pregnancy. But the signs of IVF pregnancy are complicated and can even mislead you. You may notice light bleeding or spotting due to implantation or it can also be a side effect of your treatment. You may also have pelvic discomfort, bloating, and cramps after embryo transfer.
After the embryo transfer, it takes a few days to get implanted into the uterine lining, called the endometrium. Once the implantation takes place, your body starts producing the hCG hormone to support the pregnancy.
Based on when the implantation has taken place, some at-home pregnancy tests can detect pregnancy after 5 days of embryo transfer. But the idle time to take a pregnancy test is 7 days after an embryo transfer. Taking a pregnancy test after your missed period also gives a higher accuracy of your pregnancy as hCG levels increase during pregnancy.
Want To Know About IVF? Visit Angels Fertility Center Today
If you are tired of using medications for infertility or if those medications are not helping you conceive, Angles Fertility can help you. We offer a wide range of treatments for various infertility issues in both men and women. We have a team of gynaecologists and fertility specialists to help you conceive and have a healthy pregnancy. Our mission is to provide evidence-based fertility treatments with compassion and we strive for that. We offer the latest in fertility treatments including In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), Intra Uterine Insemination (IUI), ICSI, etc. We provide customized treatment plans tailored specifically to your needs. To talk to one of our fertility specialists, call us and request your appointment.