What happens day by day after an embryo transfer?

If you are thinking about having an embryo transfer or are about to undergo treatment, you may have some questions about what happens after the procedure and how long you have to wait until you find out the outcome. It can be an overwhelming and emotional experience, but knowing what to expect can help you feel more prepared.

Illustration of blastocyst transfer showing fertilization, cell division, and embryo implantation in the uterus. Arrows indicate the process flow.

What are the stages of embryo development?

Embryo development starts with the fertilisation of a sperm and an egg. By days two to three, the embryo enters the cleavage stage, which is the initial phase of development. During this time, the cells within the embryo divide but do not grow in size. By day four, the embryo consists of multiple cells and starts to form a blastocyst, typically occurring between days five and seven. At this stage, the cells divide into two sections, which will eventually develop into the foetus and placenta.

The day of embryo transfer

On the day of your embryo transfer, you'll be asked to arrive at the clinic with a full bladder. The embryo will be transferred into the uterus using a soft catheter, which is passed through the cervix and into the uterine cavity. Once the fertility team is satisfied with your recovery, you should be able to go home after a couple of hours.

1-2 days post embryo transfer - The blastocyst begins to hatch out of its shell and attaches itself to the uterus.

3-4 days post embryo transfer – The blastocyst attaches and connects more deeply into the uterine lining, continuing to implant through day four.

5-6 days post embryo transfer – Implantation is complete and the cells that will develop into the placenta and foetus start to form. By day six, the pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which indicates pregnancy, enters the bloodstream.

7 days post embryo transfer – The foetus continues to develop and hCG levels continue to increase.

8-9 days post embryo transfer - hCG levels are likely to be high enough to detect pregnancy, but it is advised to wait 13 days, or possibly 15 days if you had a day three embryo transfer.

10 days post embryo transfer - As your uterus begins to stretch to accommodate the developing embryo, you may experience symptoms including increased thirst, mild cramping and tiredness.

How the timeline differs for pre-blastocyst or blastocyst embryo transfer

A pre-blastocyst transfer occurs on day three, also known as the cleavage stage, while a blastocyst embryo transfer takes place on day five.

Embryos are typically transferred to the uterus when they reach the blastocyst stage, which increases the chances of implantation and pregnancy. However, in some clinics, the most developed embryo may be transferred on day three during a fresh embryo transfer cycle. This decision is often based on the fact that not all embryos will reach the blastocyst stage due to factors such as age, quality of egg, sperm and embryo. However, at TFP Fertility we don’t conduct pre-blastocyst transfers.

Symptoms you may experience throughout this period

After your embryo transfer, you may notice symptoms such as mild cramping, bloating, spotting, fatigue and mood swings. Tender breasts and increased urination are also common symptoms that can indicate early pregnancy, although they may also be side effects of progesterone medication. Lower back pain is another frequent symptom, similar to what many experience during their menstrual cycle. As the embryo implants in the uterine lining, you may also experience nausea, headaches, increased hunger, mild cramping and implantation bleeding, which is light spotting or bleeding.

It’s important to understand that some patients will experience mild or no symptoms at all, and that’s perfectly normal. While these symptoms can be early signs of pregnancy, you should wait to take a pregnancy test until the date specified by your fertility clinic.

What stage can you (and should you) complete a pregnancy test?

You should generally take a test two weeks after the embryo transfer, but the specific date will be provided by your fertility clinic. It may be tempting to test earlier, but it’s crucial to wait until the date to ensure an accurate result. Once you have your result, be sure to contact your fertility clinic for advice and guidance on what to do next.

Reviewed by Inosha Bambaranda, Fertility Specialist at TFP Oxford Fertility.

What should I expect after my embryo transfer?

It’s completely normal to feel nervous after your embryo transfer. We've put together a guide on symptoms you may experience as well as what you can and cannot do after your procedure.

What to expect