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Surrogates

After Embryo Transfer: Symptoms Day by Day

After embryo transfer, many individuals eagerly track their day-by-day symptoms during the two-week wait to confirm pregnancy. Understanding what happens each day after embryo transfer can provide reassurance and clarity.

As a surrogate, health concerns should always be shared with your medical team, and a surrogacy professional can help you navigate communication with the intended family. Connect with a surrogacy professional today for personalized guidance and support.

Below we’ve included a day-by-day guide of symptoms and the embryo’s development throughout your two-week wait.

After Embryo Transfer: Day-by-Day

Some symptoms you experience after embryo transfer may be due to the fertility medications and embryo transfer procedures, while others may be signs of pregnancy. Symptoms can vary from person to person, and checking symptoms isn’t an accurate way of measuring whether an embryo transfer was successful.

DaySymptomsEmbryo Development
1-3Mild cramping, fatigue, bloatingEmbryo transitions from a single cell to a morula.
4-5Spotting, mood swings, fatigueEmbryo becomes a blastocyst and begins implantation.
6Increased fatigue, mood changesImplantation starts, connecting to the uterine lining.
7Nausea, breast tendernessPlacental development begins.

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Learn About What to Expect After Transfer

 Below are some of the common symptoms that people may experience after an embryo transfer:

1-3 Days Post Embryo Transfer Symptoms: What You Might Feel

1-3 days after embryo transfer, symptoms may include:

Although you may experience some symptoms these first three days, this is usually not an indicator of pregnancy and is more likely due to the embryo transfer procedure.

Embryo Development Days 1-3

In the first three days after embryo transfer, the embryo undergoes cell division, transitioning from a single cell to a morula (a solid ball of cells) as it travels through the fallopian tube toward the uterus.

4-5 Days Post Embryo Transfer Symptoms and Implantation Process

4 to 5 days after an embryo transfer, symptoms may be more noticeable as your body adjusts to the implantation process and hormonal changes.

However, it’s important to note that these symptoms can vary widely, and not everyone will experience the same things. Common symptoms during this time may include:

Embryo Development days 4-5

The embryo forms a blastocyst, with a fluid-filled cavity, as it begins to hatch from its protective shell in preparation for implantation into the uterine lining.

6 Days Post Embryo Transfer Symptoms

On day 6 you may have the symptoms of the days before, but you may experience more pronounced fatigue or mood changes, with possible increased cervical mucus or nausea as the embryo implants.

Embryo Development Day 6

Day 6: The blastocyst begins to implant into the uterine lining, starting to establish a connection with the mother’s blood supply and secreting hormones to maintain the pregnancy.

7 Days After Embryo Transfer Symptoms: Hormonal Changes Continue

Similar to day 6, on day 7 you may notice more breast tenderness and mild nausea may appear as the body continues to adjust to hormonal fluctuations.

Embryo Development Day 7

The embryo’s cells start differentiating into distinct layers, with the inner cell mass developing into the fetus and the outer layer forming the placenta and supporting tissues.

Symptoms 8-9 Days After Embryo Transfer :

On days 8 and 9 light spotting may still be present for some women, and cramping, bloating, or emotional sensitivity can increase. Some women report more pronounced fatigue, breast tenderness, or mood swings, with possible mild nausea and bloating.

Embryo Development Day 8-9

Days 8-9: The implantation process continues, with the embryo securely embedded in the uterine lining, and early development of the placenta begins to take shape.

Symptoms After 10 Days of Embryo Transfer: Early Pregnancy Times

On day 10 Pregnancy symptoms like nausea, fatigue, and breast tenderness may become more noticeable as hCG levels rise, though some women still feel only mild symptoms.

Embryo Development Day 10

Day 10: The embryo’s connection to the uterine lining deepens, and the trophoblast cells (outer cells) start producing human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which may be detected in blood tests as a sign of pregnancy starting on day 10-14.

How to Care for Symptoms After Embryo Transfer

After an embryo transfer, it’s common to experience a range of symptoms due to hormonal changes, the IVF procedure itself, and the emotional stress of the two-week wait.

While many of these symptoms are normal and not necessarily indicative of success or failure, it’s important to manage them for comfort and to stay in touch with your healthcare provider if anything feels concerning.

Here’s what to do for common symptoms after an embryo transfer:

1. Mild Cramping

What to do:

2. Breast Tenderness

What to do:

3. Fatigue

4. Bloating and Gas

What to do:

5. Mood Swings

What to do:

6. Spotting or Light Bleeding

What to do:

7. Nausea (Morning Sickness)

What to do:

8. Frequent Urination

What to do:

Stay comfortable and use the restroom as often as you need. The good news is that this symptom should subside as your body adjusts to the pregnancy hormones. Keep yourself hydrated, but you may want to limit liquid intake in the evening to prevent frequent trips to the bathroom at night.

When to Call Your Doctor

While most symptoms are normal, there are a few instances where you should contact your fertility clinic immediately:

  • Severe pain or cramping that doesn’t subside.

  • Heavy bleeding (like a period or worse).

  • Sharp or localized pain in the abdomen or shoulder  could indicate an ectopic pregnancy.

  • Fever, chills, or dizziness, which could indicate an infection or other complication.

  • If you’re ever uncertain about your symptoms, your doctor is your best resource for guidance.

    What’s Next?

    The symptoms you experience may vary, and while some may point to early pregnancy, others could simply be related to medications or the procedure itself. The best approach is to listen to your body and reach out to your medical team if you have any concerns.

    For surrogates navigating this exciting and emotional process, having professional support is key. Fill out our form to learn more about your next steps after the embryo transfer and get support during your two-week wait.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How many days after embryo transfer do you feel symptoms?

    Symptoms can begin as early as 3-4 days after the transfer, but it’s usually around 5-7 days that women start to notice signs of pregnancy or implantation.

    Symptoms can vary depending on whether implantation has occurred, hormonal changes, and how your body responds to IVF medications. Some women may not feel any symptoms at all until after the pregnancy test, while others experience early signs much sooner.

    What happens each day after embryo transfer?

    What are the positive symptoms after embryo transfer?

    “Positive symptoms” are those that could indicate successful implantation or early pregnancy. These include:

    What are the critical days after embryo transfer?

    The critical days are those when implantation is most likely to occur, and when the success or failure of the transfer becomes clearer. Here’s a breakdown of the critical days:

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