The days between your embryo transfer and your pregnancy test are often called "the two-week wait". After weeks of appointments and medication, there is suddenly very little to do except wait. Many patients say this is one of the hardest parts of IVF.
This guide explains what happens in your body during this time, what you may feel, what you can and cannot do, and how to look after yourself until your test.
What Happens After the Transfer
After the transfer, the embryo needs to attach to the lining of the uterus. This is called implantation. It usually happens within a few days, but it cannot be seen or felt, and there is no way to check it until your test.
During this time you will usually take hormonal medication, most often progesterone. It helps prepare and support the lining of the uterus. Depending on your treatment plan, it may be given as vaginal tablets or gel, injections or tablets.
- Keep taking your medication exactly as prescribed. Do not stop or change it on your own, even if you have bleeding or think the cycle has not worked.
- Set reminders. Alarms on your phone can help you take each dose on time.
- Ask if you are unsure. If you miss a dose or have a question about your medication, contact our team.
Symptoms You May Notice
Many patients watch their body closely during the wait. It is natural to look for signs, but symptoms are not a reliable guide.
- Common symptoms: Mild cramps, bloating, sore breasts, tiredness and mood changes are all common. They are often caused by the progesterone, not by pregnancy.
- Light spotting: Some patients have light spotting. It can happen whether or not you are pregnant, so it does not tell you the result. Let us know if it happens.
- No symptoms at all: This is also normal. Many people who feel nothing turn out to be pregnant.
In short, having symptoms or not having them does not tell you whether the cycle has worked. Only the test can do that.
Everyday Life During the Wait
Patients often worry that something they do could harm the embryo. Once it is in the uterus, it is not affected by normal movement, walking or going to the toilet. Your doctor will tell you what is right for you. In general:
- Gentle activity is usually fine. Walking and light daily tasks are generally encouraged. Ask your doctor before strenuous exercise or heavy lifting.
- Full bed rest is not usually needed. Resting for a day or two after the transfer is fine if it helps you feel calm, but staying in bed for two weeks is not necessary.
- Eat well and drink enough water. A balanced diet helps you feel your best. Read more in our article on diet and fertility.
- Avoid alcohol and smoking. Keep caffeine moderate.
- Check before taking any other medicine. This includes painkillers, herbal products and supplements.
- Ask about baths, swimming and sex. Advice varies, so check with your doctor.
- Travelling home after treatment. If you came to Istanbul for treatment, ask us about flying and the best time to travel. Many international patients return home during the wait, and we stay in touch on WhatsApp.
Why You Should Not Test Too Early
It can be very tempting to take a home pregnancy test before your test date. We recommend waiting.
- Too early to show: If you test too soon, the pregnancy hormone (hCG) may be too low to show, even if you are pregnant.
- Medication can confuse the result: If your treatment included a trigger injection containing hCG, it can stay in your body and show a positive result that is not a pregnancy.
- More worry, not less: An early result can cause stress, and it often has to be checked again anyway.
Your blood test, about two weeks after the transfer, measures the exact level of hCG in your blood and gives a much more reliable answer. We will tell you the right day for your test.
Looking After Your Feelings
Hope, fear, excitement and worry can all come and go, sometimes in a single day. This is completely normal. These ideas may help:
- Plan small things to look forward to. Films, books, walks, time with friends or a short outing can help the days pass.
- Keep busy, but gently. Many people find that going to work or keeping a normal routine helps.
- Limit online searching. Reading other people's symptoms and stories online can increase worry, because every pregnancy is different.
- Decide together who to tell. Some couples prefer to keep the transfer date private, so they are not asked for news every day.
- Talk about how you feel. Partners often cope in different ways. Being open with each other helps. Our team also offers counseling.
- Try to relax. Breathing exercises, light stretching or quiet music can help with stress. Stress does not cause a cycle to fail, so try not to blame yourself for feeling anxious.
When to Contact Us Straight Away
Some symptoms need prompt medical advice. Contact our team, or seek emergency care if you cannot reach us, if you have:
- Heavy bleeding, like a period or heavier.
- Severe pain in your abdomen or pelvis.
- A swollen or very bloated abdomen, sudden weight gain, or passing much less urine than usual.
- Shortness of breath, feeling sick or vomiting.
- A fever.
Severe bloating, sudden weight gain and shortness of breath can be signs of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which needs prompt care. You can reach us by phone or WhatsApp on +90 546 696 87 67.
After the Test
If your test is positive, we will explain the next steps. These usually include a repeat blood test, continuing your medication, and an ultrasound scan a few weeks later to check how the pregnancy is developing.
If your test is negative, please keep taking your medication until we tell you to stop. A negative result is very hard news, and you do not have to face it alone. Our article When an IVF Cycle Doesn’t Work explains what happens next and the options that may be open to you.
We Are Here for You
The two-week wait can feel long, but you do not have to go through it alone. Our team is here to answer your questions at any stage, by phone, WhatsApp or our contact form.
In his book Tüp Bebek Rehberi – Umuda Giden Yol, Dr. Koç writes about the emotional side of IVF, as well as the medical steps. The book is written in Turkish.
This article gives general information and is not medical advice. Please talk to your doctor about your own situation.