Most women who are in the first two weeks after IVF are probably nervous, anxious or worried about noticing symptoms of a positive pregnancy. Having already been through the stress of dealing with infertility, diagnostic tests, harvesting eggs and sperm, fertilization and implantation, the success from surpassing those challenges becomes meaningless if pregnancy does not occur. Understandably, this waiting period is yet another test of patience to overcome.
Although some symptoms of pregnancy have been reported to occur during the 2WW for many women who have undergone successful IVF cycles, it is also very important to understand that it is possible to experience no symptoms at all during 2WW after IVF and still be successful.
Under normal circumstances, women who become pregnant naturally normally do not realize they are pregnant or have pregnancy symptoms until after a missed period, which can be at least four to six weeks from the date of conception. After missing a period, they are already on alert for these and other symptoms of pregnancy. For women who have undergone in-vitro fertilization, it is likely that your symptoms are not the same as for women who have conceived naturally. You will experience symptoms of pregnancy much sooner (if at all) than these women.
Among the pregnancy symptoms that can occur during 2WW include the following: abdominal cramping or tightening, and headache. Headache is not necessarily a specific pregnancy symptom, since it may possibly be a reaction to the medications given during the IVF process.
Sometimes the symptoms of pregnancy during 2WW that can actually be seen include some mild spotting or clear vaginal discharge. If the discharge is in yellow/green, has a foul odor with some vaginal irritation; it could be a sign of yeast infection. In this case, it is important to notify your doctor. The discharge associated with positive pregnancy will be clear or white, and will usually be minimal in amount. Another pregnancy symptom is night sweats, which is due to the increased hormonal activity experienced during pregnancy.
You may notice an increase or decrease in your basal body temperature (BBT) indicating that the egg attached successfully and you may be pregnant. Having a dip in the BBT temperature is one of the most popular BBT indicators of pregnancy in the first two weeks after having in vitro fertilization. However, some women who had undergone a successful IVF cycle also reported an increase in the temperature. Thus, a significant change in basal body temperature in either direction could mean a successful IVF cycle.
You may experience nausea and vomiting, referred to as morning sickness. Keep in mind that this can occur any time of the day or night and can occur several times throughout. Feeling fatigue may also be a positive sign of successful implantation during the first two weeks after IVF.
Try not to focus too much on the possible symptoms of a successful IVF treatment. Also, it is not healthy to be so overly anxious. During the two-week waiting period after in-vitro fertilization, get some rest and relaxation so that implantation can occur.