The two-week wait will be familiar to anyone trying to conceive – that agonising period of time between your fertile window and your period due date . However, if you are going through an IVF cycle this wait can be even more intense. You will be given lots of information from your fertility clinic and dates to check in on – and it can sometimes be overwhelming.
But don’t worry. Fertility Nurse Liz Harrison is here to explain everything about the two week wait after embryo transfer, so you can feel more prepare and in control.
What to do during the two week wait
It’s understandable that waiting to find out if you’re pregnant is a time full of nerves and excitement and you might even find that you alter your behaviours or activities. It’s important to remember that there is no evidence that anything you do or don’t do at this stage will increase the chances of you becoming pregnant. It is best to try and resume your normal activities – with an added bit of self care. Many women decide to return to work during this time but you may prefer to have a few days off around the time of embryo transfer. There are a few myths about certain things that can affect implementation – such as having baths or sex – but there is no real evidence to imply that they affect the chances of pregnancy.
When to do a pregnancy test after embryo transfer
When going through IVF, you will be told to take a test 16 days after egg collection – this is when you will know if the treatment as been successful. This wait can be difficult but please don’t be tempted to take a pregnancy test earlier than the date advised. The trigger injection that you had before your egg collection can stay in your bloodstream for 8 to 10 days and this can lead to a false positive – two lines on the test, even if you are not pregnant.
Should I test even if I am bleeding?
Yes. Bleeding when you are hoping to fall pregnant can be very upsetting, but it’s important to still take the test on the date advised. This is because some people who have bleeding after a cycle could have an ectopic pregnancy – an uncommon but serious complication. If you are bleeding but have a positive test, contact your unit or early pregnancy care centre immediately.
A positive pregnancy test
A positive result means that one or more embryos have implanted. This is great news for your fertility journey – but we will not be able to see this on a scan until you are about 6 weeks pregnant (4 weeks after embryo transfer).
After fertility treatment, your unit may arrange for you to have a scan at around 7 weeks of pregnancy to check the baby’s heartbeat.
If this scan confirms that you have an ongoing pregnancy, you would be advised to inform your GP and have your further antenatal care at a hospital local to you. It is normally advised to continue to take the progesterone, if you have a positive pregnancy test, until you are 8 weeks pregnant.
Pregnancy loss after a positive result
Whilst a positive result should fill you with hope and optimism, sadly this doesn’t always result in a baby. We sometimes diagnose miscarriages at the first scan and ectopic pregnancies at this stage. Unfortunately, a small number of pregnancies can still miscarry even if these early scans are encouraging.
If you develop one of the following symptoms after you have a confirmed positive pregnancy test and before your first pregnancy scan, you should get reviewed by a Doctor.
- heavy bleeding
- brown spotting (discharge)
- sharp abdominal pain, particularly if on one side
- shoulder pain
- faintness.
Pregnancy loss at any stage can be heartbreaking. Try to ask for support when you need it – either through friends and family or a trained professional. Units often have a specialist a fertility counsellor who you could talk to and you should never hesitate asking for help.
A negative pregnancy test
A negative result sadly means that the treatment has not been successful. You might already have started bleeding but, if not, your period will come in the next few days. This might be heavier than normal due to the medications you have taken, which have made the lining of the uterus thicker than usual. If your test is negative you will be advised by your unit to stop taking progesterone.
This can be a really hard time – a failed IVF round can often have a similar emotional impact to a miscarriage. It is still a loss and should be treated as such. At this stage you might want to see your fertility doctor to discuss the cycle and future treatment options – or you might not feel ready and want to take a break. There is no right way to feel or act, so just take your time and make the right decision for you.
The two week wait and the test that follows is another hurdle to get over during your fertility journey – so it’s important to look after yourself physically, mentally and emotionally during this time.
