It is normal to feel anxious or stressed if you are waiting to confirm your pregnancy after the In-Vitro Fertilization. Since IVF is a set of procedures to assist your conception, it may require some time. Going through IVF requires much patience from both the couples. Once you have completed the procedure you have to wait until the given time is over. Even after that, you may not be able to confirm your pregnancy through any over the counter pregnancy testing.
For reliable results, you need to undergo some tests in your fertility clinic itself. The common tests to confirm your pregnancy are blood Testing and ultrasound scans.
Blood Testing
Generally, after two weeks of the embryo transfer, a blood or urine test for hCG can be done. HCG is a hormone that indicates pregnancy. The blood test looks for rising hCG levels in your body.
If the first blood level is less than 5 IU/L that usually means one is not pregnant. However if the first testing shows an hCG level of more than 1010 IU/L, another test is done after 48 hours to confirm the levels are still rising.
If the levels are not doubling or start to decrease on the second testing, the blood testing is again repeated after 48 hours. HCG levels should be increasing as the pregnancy advances.
Ultrasound Scan
If your hCG levels are satisfactory, a pelvic ultrasound may be done. It is usually performed three to four weeks after the transfer. Ultrasound can confirm the presence of the gestational sac inside the uterus. The gestational sac is a fluid-filled sac containing the embryo.
The yolk sac, the membranous sac attached to an embryo is visible after 5- 6 weeks of pregnancy (4 to 5 weeks after the transfer). The yolk sac plays a crucial role in the early development of the embryo. The heartbeat is detectable only after 6 to 6.5 weeks of pregnancy (4 to 4.5 weeks after the transfer).
Pregnancy care
Once you have confirmed your pregnancy, you can start consulting with your obstetrical physician or nurse on a regular basis. Prenatal care begins at 6 to 10 weeks of pregnancy. These visits allow the obstetrical provider to monitor the mother’s and baby’s health.
