For any surrogate mother, immediately following the embryo transfer you will start to wonder if the embryo transfer was successful. While you know the procedure went well, you can’t stop thinking if everything is as it should be, and knowing that it can take some time to be sure may leave you feeling a little nervous.
We understand this can be a stressful time, and first off, we want to let you know that it is perfectly normal to be a little nervous after the embryo transfer. With that in mind, we would like to share some insight into what happens after an embryo transfer to help ease your nerves during the next week and a half while you wait.
Common Embryo Transfer Timeline
You’ve already got a lot on your mind, so we have tried to make this embryo timeline process as comprehensive, easy to read, and direct as possible.
While waiting to find out if you are pregnant from your embryo transfer, we have put together an outline for you to see exactly what happens after your embryo transfer.
The below outlines are based on either the 3-day embryo transfer or the 5-day embryo transfer, which shows an approximate timeline of what happens during a successful pregnancy.
Let’s Break Down The Process After Embryo Transfer:
Now keep in mind that this is the typical timeline, but everyone is different. Your body is unique.
| Days Past Transfer (DPT) | Embryo Development |
| Day 1 | The blastocyst begins to hatch out of its shell. |
| Day 2 | The blastocyst continues to hatch and attaches to the uterus |
| Day 3 | Implantation begins as the blastocyst attaches deeper into the uterine lining. |
| Day 4 | Implantation continues. |
| Day 5 | Implantation is complete and the embryo begins to develop. |
| Day 6 | The hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) starts to enter the bloodstream. You may experience an increase in vaginal discharge or even a yeast infection caused by the medications that surrogates take. This is normal. |
| Day 7 | More hCG is secreted into the bloodstream. You may experience a little spotting which is typical and natural. In fact, it could be an indicator of pregnancy. Please do not fret! If you are unsure call your provider or the egg donor agency. |
| Day 8 | You may experience lower back pain similar to those you would experience during menstruation. This is totally normal and the cramping may even cause a little dizziness or pins and needles feelings. Again, do not fret. If you believe something is wrong, speak with someone to be sure. |
| Day 9 | Fetal development continues and the hCG continues to be secreted. |
| Day 10 | Fetal development continues and the hCG continues to be secreted. |
| Day 14 | Levels of hCG are now high enough to detect a pregnancy. Your hCG levels should be sufficient enough to detect pregnancy. You may even begin to feel symptoms of morning sickness. |
What If You Haven’t Experienced Any Of These Symptoms?
Do not worry! 10 to 15% of women don’t have symptoms following their embryo transfer. If you haven’t experienced any symptoms of pregnancy, it could be caused by your hormonal levels changing.
And remember, not all women get morning sickness while others are debilitated by it. Not all pregnant women experience serious heartburn, while some can’t stomach a meal because it’s so severe. You are a unique woman and your body is not going to react the way you want.
Keep calm, stay positive, and keep in contact with your medical coordinator.
Seek Medical Advice IF….
Of course, all situations are unique, so if you feel something is wrong, contact emergency services, your medical provider, or the edd donor agency asap.
However, if you experience any of these symptoms, it may be pertinent to seek attention.
- Painful urination.
- Bleeding (more than just spotting)
- Fever
- Consistent vomiting (more than just morning sickness)
What Happens After a 3-Day Embryo Transfer?
Following a 3-day embryo transfer, the below outline will show the embryo development during a successful pregnancy:
| Days Past Transfer (DPT) | Embryo Development |
| Day 1 | The embryo continues to grow and develop, turning from a 6-8 cell embryo into a morula. |
| Day 2 | The cells of the morula continue to divide, developing into a blastocyst. |
| Day 3 | The recently formed blastocyst begins to hatch out of its shell. |
| Day 4 | The blastocyst continues to hatch out of its shell and now it starts to attach itself to the uterus. |
| Day 5 | The blastocyst continues to attach deeper into the uterine lining, beginning the implantation. |
| Day 6 | The implantation continues. |
| Day 7 | On the 7th day following a 3-day transfer the implantation is complete and the cells that will eventually become the placenta and fetus have begun to develop. |
| Day 8 | The human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) begins to enter the bloodstream. |
| Day 9 | Fetal development continues and the hCG continues to be secreted. |
| Day 10 | Fetal development continues and the hCG continues to be secreted. |
| Day 11 | Levels of hCG are now high enough to detect a pregnancy. |
What Happens After a 5-Day Embryo Transfer?
The embryo development in a 5-day embryo transfer can be slightly different than that of a 3-day transfer. Below is a chart used to show what happens after a 5-day embryo transfer:
| Days Past Transfer (DPT) | Embryo Development |
| Day 1 | The blastocyst begins to hatch out of its shell. |
| Day 2 | The blastocyst continues to hatch out of its shell and now it starts to attach itself to the uterus. |
| Day 3 | The blastocyst continues to attach deeper into the uterine lining, beginning the implantation. |
| Day 4 | The implantation continues. |
| Day 5 | Implantation is complete and the cells that will eventually become the placenta and fetus have begun to develop. |
| Day 6 | The human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) begins to enter the bloodstream. |
| Day 7 | Fetal development continues and the hCG continues to be secreted. |
| Day 8 | Fetal development continues and the hCG continues to be secreted. |
| Day 9 | Levels of hCG are now high enough to detect a pregnancy. |
Waiting After an Embryo Transfer
Usually, the most stressful thing about having an embryo transfer is the waiting game. You went through the procedure but now you must wait a week and a half to find out if you are pregnant.
You may be tempted to take a pregnancy test but keep in mind, during this period those tests won’t be able to help you. You should just relax and understand that the embryo transfer was performed by leading medical professionals and you will find out soon enough the outcome.
Am I Pregnant?
Following the final day on either the 3-day embryo transfer (day 11 past transfer) or the 5-day embryo transfer )day 9 past transfer) you will have enough levels of hCG in your bloodstream to be able to determine if the pregnancy was a success.
Stay Positive & Lead With Love
We know the process of becoming pregnant for a surrogate mother can be a stressful one but it doesn’t need to be.
At Creative Love Surrogacy Agency, we strive to educate all of the surrogate mothers we work with on what to expect, both before pregnancy, during, and after. Your journey of becoming a surrogate mother is truly a blessing and we hope the information provided in today’s article helps you in some way.
If you have yet to begin your surrogacy journey and would like more information, either regarding the embryo transfer or anything related to becoming a surrogate mother, we welcome you to reach out to us. Simply anytime and one of our surrogacy specialists will be in touch with you shortly!
More information on embryo transfers can be found in our newly published blog, Understanding the Embryo Transfer in IVF.
