Guidance for pregnancy test after transfer of blastocyst

Progesterone

After embryo transfer you must continue the treatment with vaginal tablet progesterone for another 11 days.

The female hormone, progesterone prepares the endometrium for the embryo/blastocyst to implant.

You will experience more vaginal discharge and use of a sanitary pad may be necessary.

Progesterone can cause side effects and you may experience tenderness of breasts, nausea, headache and tiredness. The hormone progesterone can also affect the intestines and cause constipation. It is important to drink enough fluid,  up to two liters a day. 

Progesterone may delay your menstrual bleeding. You will probably not start bleeding even though the pregnancy test is negative. This is because of the effect of progesterone on the endometrium.

Continue the treatment until the day of the blood sample/pregnancy test.

It is important to continue the progesterone even if you start bleeding.

 Pregnancy test

11 days after the transfer, you will need to have a blood sample (pregnancy test) taken. It will measure the level of hCG (pregnancy hormone) in your blood.

_________day_____/_____

Please remember to bring your yellow social security card (sundhedskort).

The blood sample will be taken by The laboratory. It is situated at the ground level between entrance 4 and 5. The opening hours are Monday to Friday between 7.30 am  and 2:30 pm

Test result

To get the test result you need to call the nurses at The Fertility Clinic , telephone number: 3545 4071, press 2 and then press  2, between 13.30-14.00.

If the result is ready earlier we will call you.

If you have the blood sample taken between 7.30am and 10.00 am, the result will be ready the same day. If it is taken later it might not be ready until the day after.

Alternative laboratories

If it is easier for you to use another laboratory, you are welcome. If it doesn’t collaborate with our journal system (SP), you have to send us the result by mail graviditetssvar.rigshospitalet@regionh.dk

Positive result

If the result of the blood sample is positive we will give you an appointment for a pregnancy ultrasound three weeks later. You will receive a mail in your E-boks, with the date and time.

Negative result

If the result of the blood sample is negative we will discuss the plan of further treatments.

It is important that you have the blood sample taken, even if you started bleeding. We need the result of the blood sample before you can start a new treatment.

e-Boks

If there are additional blastocysts of good quality they can be cryo-preserved on day 5 or 6. You will receive a mail in your e-boks with the result.

Lifestyle

We recommend that your diet is healthy and balanced and that you avoid tobacco and alcohol. It is important that you take folic acid (vitamin tablet) 400 microgram daily. 

It is healthy to do some mild exercise. We recommend to avoid hard physical activity including high intensity exercise.  It is all rightto walk, ride a bike and easy jogging. You may also have a normal sex life.

Because the risk of infection, we recommend that you avoid swimming and taking a bath in a bathtub a few days after the transfer of the blastocyst.

If you would like to have more information, the homepage of www.sst.dk (sundhedsstyrelsen) might be of interest.