How Many Days After Frozen Embryo Transfer Can You Test?

Testing too early after a frozen embryo transfer (FET) can lead to inaccurate results, causing unnecessary worry or false hope.

After frozen embryo transfer, it’s recommended to wait at least 10-14 days to test for pregnancy, but the exact timing can depend on your physician’s recommendations.

Learn more about pregnancy as a surrogate here, or fill out this simple form to get help if you are considering becoming a surrogate.

In this article we will explore pregnancy testing after frozen embryo transfer and how long you should wait to test.

How Many Days After a Frozen Embryo Transfer Can You Test?

After a frozen embryo transfer (FET), it’s generally recommended to wait 10-14 days before taking a pregnancy test.

This waiting period allows time for the embryo to implant in the uterine lining and for your body to produce detectable levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the pregnancy hormone.

Is it too early to test 7 days after embryo transfer?

Testing 7 days after embryo transfer might be too early to get a reliable result. At this point, the embryo may not have implanted yet, or if it has, the hCG levels might be too low to detect. While some early detection tests claim to detect pregnancy at this stage, it’s better to wait at least 10 days for more accurate results. A negative test at 7 days doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not pregnant.

Is 3 days post embryo transfer too early to test?

Yes, 3 days post embryo transfer is definitely too early to test. The embryo has not had enough time to implant, and there wouldn’t be enough hCG in your system for a home pregnancy test to detect. You would need to wait longer—around 10 to 14 days after the transfer for a reliable result.

What Happens If You Test Too Early?

Testing too early can lead to inaccurate or confusing results. A test taken before sufficient hCG production could show a false negative, which might cause unnecessary stress or disappointment.

Conversely, it’s also possible to detect very low levels of hCG that don’t necessarily indicate a viable pregnancy, leading to false hope. The best way to avoid these scenarios is to follow the 10-14 day guideline and the advice of your fertility specialist.

Understanding the Two-Week Wait

The 10-14 day wait after embryo transfer is recommended to ensure that hCG levels, if you’re pregnant, are high enough to be detected accurately.

After the embryo attaches to the uterine wall (implantation), the body begins producing hCG. However, this hormone doesn’t reach detectable levels right away.

By day 10 to day 14 after transfer, hCG levels are usually high enough to yield an accurate test result.

How soon after implantation can I test?

Implantation generally occurs 6-10 days after the embryo transfer. Following implantation, hCG levels start to increase gradually. Detecting hCG too early may result in a false negative because levels might still be too low for a home pregnancy test to pick up.

Waiting until day 10-14 provides the best chance for an accurate result, as hCG levels should be sufficiently elevated if pregnancy has occurred.

At-home Testing vs. Blood Testing

While you can take a home pregnancy test at the end of the recommended waiting period, blood tests performed by a healthcare provider are more accurate.

Blood tests can detect lower levels of hCG sooner than most home tests and provide a more definitive answer. A healthcare provider can also measure hCG levels over time to monitor early pregnancy progression, which home tests don’t offer.

Follow Your Healthcare Provider’s Guidance

Always follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations regarding testing after a frozen embryo transfer. Your provider knows your unique situation and can offer guidance tailored to your needs.

Learn more about pregnancy as a surrogate here, or fill out this simple form to get help if you are considering becoming a surrogate.