Read moreJul 08, 2026
An IVF cycle begins with stimulation—you take medicine to encourage egg growth—and ends when the embryo is transferred into your womb. But what happens after that?
The period after transfer, but before you take a pregnancy test, is known as the two week wait. Though with IVF, the name is a little misleading. The number of days you’ll actually wait is about 10 or 12, depending on the day of transfer (whether it happens 2-3 or 5-6 days after fertilisation).
We know those 10-12 days can feel like an eternity. But at ARGC, we’ll be right there with you as the days pass: we’ll monitor and check in with you throughout (just like we did during your treatment cycle).
To help you navigate the wait, here’s what to expect after IVF—and what you can do to boost your chance of success.
Right after the transfer, your number one priority is rest and recovery. Not only will this allow you to decompress after treatment, but it may also help to create a supportive environment for the embryo to implant (more on this below).
You’ll also continue taking progesterone medication after the transfer. This is really important because progesterone prepares the uterine lining for implantation. If your levels dip too low, it can hinder your chances of success.
That’s why we actively monitor your progesterone during the two-week wait. You’ll come in for a blood test every two days to check your levels. We’ll also do a full blood count every 2-3 days to check for infection or other signs of possible issues.
Meanwhile, the embryo develops inside your womb. Here’s what happens day by day.
This means that the embryo was transferred five days after fertilisation. At this stage of development, it’s known as a blastocyst.
Good to know: although it’s typically called a day 5 transfer, embryos at this stage are sometimes transferred 6 days after fertilisation. We decide exactly when to transfer each embryo depending on how they are developing.
The embryo will start to “hatch”—that is, break out of its protective outer layer so it can attach to the lining of the womb.
Implantation usually happens 1-5 days after transfer.
When the embryo has finished hatching, it burrows deeply into the lining of the womb (this is implantation). It connects to your blood supply so it can grow.
When implantation happens, the embryo will start to produce a hormone called hCG, aka the pregnancy hormone. So, around this time, your hCG levels will rise.
The wait is over—it’s time to take a pregnancy test. We do this via blood test, as it’s the most reliable way to detect an early pregnancy. The test measures your hCG levels.
When the embryo is transferred 2-3 days after fertilisation, it’s called an early transfer.
There’s a few reasons why an early transfer may be best for you personally. For instance, if your embryos have struggled to reach day 5 in the past. We’ll weigh up your health, plus your medical and treatment history, when making our recommendation.
At this stage of the embryo’s development, it’s called a morula: a solid, ball-like cluster of cells that will transform into a blastocyst. It will become a blastocyst inside your womb rather than the lab.
The embryo develops into a blastocyst.
The blastocyst starts to hatch: it expands to break through its protective shell.
Next is implantation. Over this period, the hatched embryo will attach to the uterine lining and connect to your blood supply.
If the embryo has implanted successfully, your hCG will be rising at this point.
You’ll take a pregnancy test on day 12.
Having mild to moderate symptoms after embryo transfer is common. Some people worry whether this means something: if it’s a signal that things have, or haven’t, gone to plan.
But a pregnancy test is the only way to know for sure that you’re pregnant (a pregnancy blood test, not an over-the-counter urine test, is the most accurate way to check for pregnancy). Post-transfer symptoms aren’t necessarily a sign that something has gone wrong.
You might experience:
But do get in touch with your clinic if:
If you’re working with us, call us on our emergency line. We’ll tell you what to do next.
These symptoms could be signs of infection or complications. It’s always best to be safe: let your clinic know what’s happening so they can deal with any potential issues quickly.
This is a tricky one. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when pregnancy symptoms begin, because there’s overlap between the side effects of progesterone and signs of early pregnancy. For example, breast tenderness and fatigue could be due to either.
Besides, everyone is different: there’s no set time when symptoms are “supposed” to come on.
So, during the wait, try not to torture yourself by “looking for clues” of success or failure. Instead, focus on your health and wellbeing: eat well, lean on your support network, and distract yourself with (gentle, non-strenuous) hobbies if you need to.
Remember that symptoms are not a reliable indication of pregnancy: only a pregnancy test can give you a definitive answer.
Here, we mean a pregnancy blood test. As a refresher, this is the most accurate way to check for early pregnancy. At-home tests aren’t always reliable when used as soon as 10-12 days after transfer: sometimes they can give false results. For example, they might tell you that you’re not pregnant when you actually are—or vice versa.
There’s no guarantees in fertility treatment: we can’t say for sure whether implantation will be successful. But there are some ways to increase your chances.
Taking your progesterone support exactly as your doctor tells you is one of the most impactful things you can do. This ensures your womb lining stays thick enough to support the embryo.
If you stop taking progesterone too early, your uterine lining can shed—which could lead to miscarriage or implantation failure.
Because your progesterone levels are so critical during the wait, we check them every two days at ARGC. This way, if your levels dip, we can adjust your dosage immediately.
Good to know: this isn’t a standard part of IVF treatment in the UK. But for us, it’s essential.
Don’t forget to look after yourself—it can help support your overall health and fertility.
During the two-week wait, you should avoid:
These factors can impact fertility and increase strain on your body. Even if something might influence your chances in a small way, it’s best to just avoid it for now.
We know how devastating this can be. If you find yourself in this position, we will be there to help you through what comes next. We’ll check in with you regularly: you won’t be left alone.
For us, a failed cycle is an important source of information: it tells us what didn’t work, so we can refine our approach if we try again.
But you should take the time you need to emotionally and physically recover before deciding to re-start treatment.
Getting started with IVF is a big decision, and it’s important you find the clinic that’s best for you.
Our approach is unique and extremely thorough: we build each IVF cycle around you, based on what your body is telling us. During treatment, we do daily blood tests and regular scans, and adjust your protocol in real-time as needed.
All of this is to give you the best possible chance of becoming a parent.
Wondering whether ARGC is right for you? Our advisory calls are free, no-obligation, and led by someone who can answer your specific questions about treatment, costs, and what to expect. Book a call to get started.
Monica Karpinski is a health and science writer specialising in women's health. She has previously written for Stylist, Reader's Digest, the New Statesman Media Group, and more.
What happens after embryo transfer? Day by day