IVF results

Difficulties behind. Completed all stages of IVF. Now we have to wait for the results. What they can be and what to do after, 一 deal with reproductive specialist Svetlana Murashko. 

Interpretation of IVF results

The first method for diagnosing pregnancy is a test for hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). It is a hormone that begins to be released by a fertilized egg (1). Its blood level increases with gestational age. The hormone is involved in the formation of the placenta. After its formation, the growth of hCG stops.

Positive results

The hCG test is usually done on the 14th day after the embryo transfer. Two weeks required for implantation and increase in hormone levels. Implantation may not occur immediately. Sometimes it takes up to 6 days. 

Moreover, after the transfer, the woman’s body needs hormonal support, and for this, preparations containing hCG are used. Therefore, before doing the test, you must wait a few days. Otherwise, the result may be false positive.

HCG is secreted by the chorion of the embryo and enters the blood of the expectant mother. According to its level, the duration and course of pregnancy is determined.

The result can be considered positive if the hCG level is 100 mU / ml. If the level is below 25 mU / ml, then pregnancy has not occurred. With multiple pregnancies, the level of hCG rises several times. An hCG level of 300 mU / ml may indicate twins.

Once pregnancy is confirmed, hCG levels should be checked regularly. The changes will tell how the pregnancy develops. If the concentration of the hormone does not grow enough, there is a risk of abortion. In this case, the doctor may prescribe drugs containing hCG, for example, Pregnil, Humegon and others.

The table shows the approximate levels of hCG at different stages of pregnancy. It must be understood that the norm of the hormone has an individual character and may differ from the general indicators. And doctors compare the results not with the norms, but with the previous indicators of the woman. It is important to determine the dynamics of growth or its absence.

Self-diagnosis and analysis of one’s condition is unacceptable. Only a doctor can correctly assess the situation and choose the appropriate tactics for further pregnancy management.

Negative results

If, after the embryo transfer, the hCG levels remained less than 25 mIU / l, pregnancy did not occur. The level of hCG from 29 to 70 mIU / l is considered doubtful. In the following studies, the concentration of hCG usually decreases.

A low level of hCG or its slow rise can also indicate the following conditions:

• possible miscarriage;
• frozen pregnancy;
• ectopic pregnancy.

The effectiveness of IVF depends on the cause of infertility. After 40-45 years, the hormonal background of a woman changes. The chance of a viable egg is reduced (2). Pregnancy becomes possible only with the use of frozen eggs or donor material.

In case of failure, menstruation should occur 2 weeks after the transfer. If bleeding came earlier, this may indicate such a pathology:

• during transplantation, the mucous membrane of the cervical canal, cervix or vagina may be damaged;
• endometriosis, uterine polyps;
• if the discharge is accompanied by an unpleasant odor, this may indicate the addition of an infection.

Recommendations of doctors after embryo transfers

After the embryo transfer, the reproductologist gives recommendations on how to behave.

• In the first 10 days, limit physical activity, cancel sports.
• It is forbidden to lift weights (more than 2 kg). This may cause rejection of the fetus.
• It is recommended to abstain from sexual activity for 2 weeks to 3 months.
• Eliminate stress, anxiety and anxiety.

  Give up alcohol and smoking.

  Beware of communicating with patients with viral and other infectious diseases.

• Limit hot baths.

– Once again I emphasize that the success of the IVF procedure depends on several factors, – says the reproductive specialist Svetlana Murashko, – First of all, age. This is due to an increase in the number of aneuploid eggs, i.e. with an altered set of chromosomes. The older the woman, the higher the likelihood of the formation of such eggs and, as a result, an aneuploid embryo. Aneuploidy is a chromosomal abnormality in which the embryo contains an abnormal number of chromosomes. Such embryos, fortunately, most often do not implant. Or, if implantation does occur, the pregnancy ends with either a spontaneous miscarriage or the birth of a sick child.

The next factor is whether there have been pregnancies in the past. If there were pregnancies and childbirth, this increases the likelihood of success after IVF treatment.

Gynecological diseases, such as uterine fibroids that deform the organ cavity or endometriosis of the uterine body of 3-4 degrees, reduce the success of IVF treatment.

Another important factor is the supply of eggs in the ovaries. Women with normal and high ovarian reserve are more likely than women with low ovarian reserve. Ovarian reserve is determined using ultrasound and hormonal studies.

The implantation window is one of the most important aspects in the onset of pregnancy. This is the period of time when the endometrium is most receptive for embryo implantation. Yes, the phase is very significant, but it is impossible to control it. 

Expert Commentary

Popular questions and answers

Perhaps the most difficult moral aspect of IVF is the expectation of results. With gynecologist Svetlana Murashko we answer the most popular questions on this topic.

Sources of

1. Eco in the treatment of infertility. Management of pregnancy and childbirth / Savelyeva G. M., Kurtser M. A., Krasnopolskaya K. V., Eroyan L. Kh. // 2003
2. Evaluation and differentiated correction of the state of the endometrium in women with infertility in the complex preparation for IVF and PE / U.R. Khamadyanov, T.V. Saubanova, S.U. Khamadyanova, Yu.Yu. Gromenko, A.I. Galimov, et al. // 2011
3. Maternal risk factors for implantation failures and defects after IVF / Rudakova E.B., Strizhova T.V., Fedorova E.A., Besman I.V., Zamakhovskaya L.Yu., et al. // 2020