What are the symptoms after embryo transfer?

Embryo transfer is a simple and painless procedure consisting of the deposition of the embryo or embryos in the uterus of the future mother after undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. This is done through a transfer cannula that is inserted through the vagina into ultrasound-guided vision.

Next you have an index with all the points that we are going to treat in this article.

Index

1. Post-Embryonic Transfer Symptoms
1.1. Abundant vaginal discharge
1.2. Small bleeding
1.3. Breast changes
1.4. Fatigue
1.5. Sickness
1.6. Frequent urination
1.7. Absence of menstruation
1.8. Punctures, dizziness and pain in the abdominal and lumbar
1.9. Others
2. Transfer of frozen embryos or ovodonation
2.1. Substituted Cycle
2.2. Natural cycle
3. When to see a doctor after the transfer
4. Questions of users
4.1. Is it normal for embryonic transfer to occur without symptoms?
4.2. Do you have the same symptoms after embryo transfer of ovulation?
4.3. Can I take any painkillers if I feel abdominal pain or headache?
5. Recommended Reading

Symptoms post embryonic transference

After transferring the embryos, the woman is aware of all the symptoms and changes that her body experiences while waiting for the 15 days needed to perform the pregnancy test. Most of these symptoms have to do with the transfer technique and do not indicate anything about whether it has been positive or negative. In fact, many women claim to have had no symptoms after a successful embryo transfer.

The IVF or ICSI process requires a woman to undergo hormonal treatment that can cause symptoms such as pregnancy even if the woman does not become pregnant.

These symptoms appear both after embryo transfer on day 3 of development, as if they are morula or blastocysts on day 5. The number of embryos transferred does not influence either, so they would be the same symptoms if the woman becomes pregnant with twins.

The main symptoms are summarized below:

Abundant vaginal discharge

It usually appears during the first few days after the embryonic transfer due to the hormonal level and progesterone administered vaginally, which serves to maintain the endometrium in an optimal state.

Small bleeding

It is normal for there to be a spotting of less than a rule in the days following the embryo transfer. It is usually due to the canalization through the cervix and usually begins to disappear in two or three days.

Breast changes

Days after the transfer is normal to notice the breasts a little harder than normal, swollen and soft, in addition to notice a tickle in the nipples and observe that the auras have darkened.

They are produced by the administration of hormones prior to embryo transfer, that is, estrogen and progesterone, which can cause fluid retention and feeling of bloating and heaviness.

Fatigue

It is due to the increase of the hormone progesterone, which in a natural pregnancy increases its concentration to maintain the lining of the uterus that is where the embryo implants. Thus, patients undergoing embryo transfer following IVF or ICSI should take progesterone supplements to maintain this lining.

With this symptom, it is not possible to know if the patient is fatigued by the pregnancy itself or by the hormone supplements.

Sickness

Nausea is the classic symptom of pregnancy during the first trimester. These are even more frequent after an assisted reproduction treatment, due to the hormonal increase that occurs in the woman's body. It should be noted that not all women are nauseated and, therefore, not suffering from them is not indicating anything.

Frequent urination

It is due to the hCG hormone, since many women undergoing fertilization treatment will inject stimulation of this hormone after transfer to help sustain the pregnancy if it occurs. So it will not be known if that urinary gain is due to actual pregnancy or extra injections.

Frequent symptoms after embryo transfer

Absence of menstruation

After an embryo transfer, a patient should wait approximately 14 days for her menstruation to arrive in case of a negative result.

Punctures, dizziness and pain in the abdominal and lumbar

They are habitual annoyances after the embryonic transference. They are usually caused by the hormones of ovarian stimulation or the preparation of the endometrium. They can also be caused by follicular puncture. The anxiety generated in the beta test can also produce a feeling of dizziness.

Others

Less frequently you may see:

Insomnia
Loss of appetite
Constipation
Swelling in the belly
Pull towards the English

If these symptoms prevent the patient from performing his normal life, consult a specialist to treat them in the most appropriate way.

Transfer of frozen embryos or ovodonation

The symptoms described vary a bit if the embryo transfer has not been performed in the same cycle as ovarian stimulation, ie if the patient's embryos were frozen or if embryos were obtained by ovodonation. In these cases, what is known as a substituted cycle or natural cycle is carried out.

Substituted Cycle

When a cycle is performed, the woman does not undergo an ovarian stimulation and her ovaries are not as inflamed. This is because he had vitrified embryos, left over from a previous cycle, or because he is receiving a ovodonating cycle.

These patients only receive hormonal treatment to prepare their endometrium and, therefore, the symptoms that they experience are those related to the own transference or to the administration of estrogen and progesterone. Abdominal discomfort, punctures and nausea are generally minor, although this is not always true.

Natural cycle

There is also the option of transferring cryopreserved or donated embryos in a natural cycle, where the natural hormones of the patient's menstrual cycle are exploited and the evolution of the endometrium is monitored by ultrasounds. In this case only progesterone is administered in the luteal phase of the cycle, next to embryo transfer. Therefore the symptoms that suffer the patient are even smaller.

You can find more information about these practices in the following link: Transfer of frozen embryos.

When to see a doctor after the transfer

The suspicion of the slightest post-transference symptom causes a certain amount of restlessness and the woman asks herself questions such as "Is it normal what happens to me?", "Should I consult the doctor?" Or "Does this mean that I am pregnant?" calm and above all be clear that there is no specific symptom of something, unless there is abundant bleeding.

If an uncontrollable bleeding similar to that of a menstruation occurs within 15 days after the transfer of embryos, it will be necessary to go to or call the reproduction center where the treatment was performed. It is important not to confuse this heavy bleeding with implantation bleeding, which is a spot lighter than the rule.

If there is a sharp and persistent pain in the abdomen, or a general malaise with pains, headaches, fever and other symptoms that are abnormal in the woman, it is essential to consult with the staff of the clinic.

Severe symptoms after embryo transfer

In the consultation of the reproductive center will perform the relevant tests to determine the cause of these unusual symptoms after the transfer and to be able to give the best solution through the most appropriate treatment.

User questions

Is it normal for embryonic transfer to occur without symptoms?

Yes. After the embryo transfer you can have some of the symptoms mentioned or have none, this depends on how it affects each woman. There are some who claim to have had none, even up to several weeks after the positive result of beta-hCG.

Do you have the same symptoms after embryo transfer of ovulation?

Symptoms of embryo transfer by ovodonation vary somewhat because the recipient woman has not undergone ovarian stimulation. Your ovaries are not inflamed and the abdominal pricks and punctures are minor. As for mild bleeding and other symptoms, they can occur equally. The changes that a woman's body undergoes during pregnancy are also the same as in a natural pregnancy.

Can I take any painkillers if I feel abdominal pain or headache?

In principle, it is possible to take analgesics for this type of symptoms, such as Paracetamol. However, if the pain is strong and persistent, it is recommended to go to the center specialist first.

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