IVF Pregnancy Symptoms Week by Week

For someone trying to conceive through IVF, it is natural to have many questions. If you have been receiving the treatment and taking all the medications, you must be wondering how long you need to wait to get the good news. Once the embryo transfer is done, you have nothing to do besides have nutritious food, get sufficient sleep, and keep stress at bay. As you are hopeful and anxious simultaneously, several thoughts will cross your mind. As you wake up every day with renewed hope, the most important thing you’d like to know is; ‘What are the common IVF pregnancy symptoms?

Knowing the symptoms of pregnancy after undergoing IVF treatment will let you know if it’s time for a pregnancy test. While the symptoms may vary from one individual to another, these are the most common ones that you may experience if embryo transfer has been successful:

Early Pregnancy Symptoms for Weeks 1 & 2

The first two weeks are the most crucial as they reveal if the IVF cycle failed or was successful. Below are some major early IVF pregnancy signs that indicate the success of the procedure:

1. Missed periods

One of the biggest positive signs after embryo transfer is a missed period. If your menstrual cycle is not irregular, then you can take the missed period as a clear indication of your pregnancy. You should still book an appointment with your IVF clinic to be sure that the missed period is due to pregnancy and not because of some underlying health condition.

2. Abdominal cramps

If the embryo implants in the uterus, abdominal cramps will follow and hence, they are also called implantation cramps. Hormonal changes are responsible for causing these cramps and the pain won’t be as intense as periods cramps.

3. Light bleeding

Mild spotting is one of the 7 days after embryo transfer symptoms, and this is considered normal by IVF doctors. A blackish or brownish discharge noticed one week after embryo transfer is known as mild spotting. The spotting may or may not be accompanied by cramps in the stomach.

4. Breast tenderness

Do your breasts feel tender and swollen? Breast tenderness is yet another sign that confirms your pregnancy and it’s one of the 9 days after embryo transfer symptoms. It is your body’s way of preparing your breasts for breastfeeding.

IVF Pregnancy Symptoms (Weeks 2-8)

Once the pregnancy is confirmed, symptoms like breast tenderness and abdominal pain will still be there. You will begin experiencing various other symptoms that are stated below:

1. Bloating

During this period, your uterine lining will get thick. So, you can experience bloating and gassiness. Taking 6 small meals instead of 3 large meals will be helpful.

2. Headaches

Due to increased levels of estrogen and progesterone, you may have recurring headaches 2-3 weeks after implantation. Headaches can also be due to a lack of proper hydration. So, to reduce headaches, drink plenty of water and get sufficient rest.

IVF Pregnancy Symptoms on Week 10

As your pregnancy progresses, the IVF pregnancy week-by-week symptoms will keep changing. Just like normal pregnancy, you are likely to experience these symptoms:

1. Morning sickness

Experiencing morning sickness problems like nausea, stomach pain, etc. is not uncommon during this stage. These symptoms trouble almost every pregnant woman during the first trimester. However, they will subside after a few weeks.

2. Mood swings

If you are pregnant, your body will undergo several hormonal changes. The constant secretion of female reproductive hormones can have effects on your mood. So, mood swings aren’t rare, and you can handle them better by getting a relaxing massage or watching a rom-com.

3. Acne

If you have suddenly started getting pimples, do not panic. They will disappear on their own after childbirth.

4. Fatigue

When a baby is developing in your womb, the baby relies on you for nutrition. So, you may feel exhausted if you are not on a healthy pregnancy diet. Take power naps to refuel yourself and increase your intake of protein, vitamins, and minerals to boost your energy.

5. Weight gain

Some weight gain every month during pregnancy is not just normal but also desired. So, if you feel you’ve started putting on weight, do not be stressed. Enjoy the journey and keep tracking your weight gain after every 15 days.

The Takeaway

So, it goes beyond saying that there isn’t much difference between the signs of pregnancy through IVF and the signs of a natural pregnancy. However, the duration and intensity of each symptom can vary for each woman.

So, even if you don’t experience all of the post-IVF symptoms we have discussed above, do not worry. Stay optimistic and if you have any queries or concerns, don’t delay getting in touch with your fertility specialist.

Dr Ritu Agarwal

Dr. Ritu Agarwal is an appreciated IVF expert in Jaipur for IVF therapy, owing to her more than ten years of experience in this field. She is the top IVF specialist in Jaipur who makes every attempt to provide correct counseling and emotional support to patients in order to help them find the ideal solution for becoming parents.