Early Monitoring of IVF Pregnancy
Written by: Kristen Hardy, MD
When should you take your first pregnancy test?
The “two week wait” is the suggested time between your embryo transfer and taking your first pregnancy test
Your physician will schedule a blood test to measure the β-HCG (the pregnancy hormone) 10-14 days after your embryo transfer (1)
It is not suggested that you take any home pregnancy tests in the two weeks after your transfer to avoid any inaccurate results
Light vaginal spotting, bloating, cramping, and breast tenderness may all be normal during this time (2)
What happens next?
If enough β-HCG is produced, it can be detected by a blood test. Your reproductive endocrinologist will continue to monitor your β-HCG levels every 48 hours for 2-3 times, and more often if there is an abnormal rise or the levels started low. This is to ensure you do not have a biochemical pregnancy (3)
If the pregnancy hormone continues to rise appropriately, you will have your first ultrasound approximately at 5-7 weeks of pregnancy [2-4 weeks after embryo transfer] (4)
Implantation is considered to be successful when an embryo has produced an intrauterine gestational sac, detectable by ultrasound at around 5 weeks gestation (1)
A fetal heart rate can be seen at 6-7 weeks with an ultrasound
You will then be transferred to a general obstetrician (OB) or maternal fetal medicine (MFM) provider for the remainder of your care during pregnancy
Typically, your reproductive endocrinologist will graduate you to our OB or MFM provider after they see a fetal heart rate
Sources:
(1) Mishell, Daniel R., and Val Davajan. Infertility, Contraception, & Reproductive Endocrinology. Medical Economics Books, 1986.
(2) “In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 10 Sept. 2021, https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/in-vitro-fertilization/about/pac-20384716.
(3) Annan. “Biochemical Pregnancy during Assisted Conception: A Little Bit Pregnant.” Journal of Clinical Medicine Research, 2013, https://doi.org/10.4021/jocmr1008w.
(4) “The Ultrasound Schedule after IVF.” Fertility Center of San Antonio, 5 Mar. 2021, https://www.fertilitysa.com/blog/the-ultrasound-schedule-after-ivf/.
