In vitro fertilization, the calculation of the gestational week is calculated in the same way in both IVF (classic in vitro fertilization) and ICSI (microinjection). The number of weeks of pregnancy is calculated according to the embryo transfer date. The date the embryo is transferred is considered the 2nd week of pregnancy. In natural pregnancies, the mother-to-be also learns that she is pregnant in the 4th week of pregnancy. For this reason, they may tend to think of this week as the first week. However, in the case of gestational week calculation in in vitro fertilization, the embryo transfer date is taken as the basis and the pregnancy is considered as 2 weeks on this date.
How is pregnancy calculated in blastocyst transfer?
If blastocyst transfer has been applied, the transfer date is taken as the basis at this stage. Blastocyst transfer is the transfer of the embryo to the uterus of the expectant mother when the embryo reaches the 5th day.
Calculating the gestational week in IVF according to embryo transfer:
Most expectant mothers wonder why the embryo transfer date is considered as 2 weeks of pregnancy. In fact, the reason for this is that there is no pregnancy before the embryo transfer. For example, in natural pregnancies, the embryo formation period is approximately 2 weeks. The time required for the fertilization of the egg and sperm is 2 weeks.
How many weeks pregnant am I?
In IVF, i.e. in vitro fertilization, or in vitro fertilization with microinjection (ICSI), the calculation of the gestational week is done in the same way. In both assisted reproduction methods, the embryo transfer date is taken as the basis for calculating the number of weeks of pregnancy. The date the embryo is transferred is considered to be 2 weeks of pregnancy. Then, the weeks that have passed are added to this period and the pregnancy calculation is made in IVF.
However, it should not be forgotten that in normal pregnancies, the last menstrual period is taken as a basis. However, due to the drugs used in IVF treatment, the last menstrual period can be misleading. For this reason, embryo transfer is taken as a basis for calculating pregnancy in IVF.
In patients who are considering blastocyst transfer, the gestational week is calculated according to the transfer date in a similar manner. Since blastocyst transfer is performed on the 5th day, the gestational week may be 2-3 days older than embryo transfer.
So why is the pregnancy week calculated by ultrasound different?
In the first months of pregnancy, the gestational week calculated with the transfer date may differ from the gestational week calculated with ultrasound. In this case, there may be a difference of a few days. This is quite normal and does not cause any problems. The reason for the small differences between normal calculations and ultrasound calculations is that the baby appears larger or smaller on ultrasound. At this stage, the pregnancy calculation in IVF will be made based on both the transfer date and the ultrasound images, and the doctor will decide how many weeks pregnant you are.
In vitro fertilization pregnancy symptoms
The first signs of successful implantation and early pregnancy usually occur about two weeks after the procedure. When the embryo implants into the uterine wall, the tiny capillaries in its lining may become damaged and bleed. Although this may not be visible or detectable after the embryo transfer, it can cause spotting or a small amount of bleeding. A woman may experience some minor cramping while the embryo implants. However, many women experience neither bleeding nor cramping. Another early sign of pregnancy, whether it is a pregnancy that occurs naturally or through assisted technology, is a missed period.
A woman who has had an embryo transfer may notice several other changes two weeks after the procedure, but most of these physical signs are only visible if they appear later. Her breasts may become swollen or tender, changes that reflect the increases in female hormones during pregnancy. Sometimes the tenderness subsides after a few weeks, but returns later in pregnancy as the breasts grow and put pressure on the supporting ligaments. Although many women do not experience this symptom, the sudden increase in hormones can also cause headaches in the early weeks. A woman may also experience nausea or morning sickness, but this sign may not appear until later in pregnancy, or it may not appear at all. However, gestational age calculations for IVF do not take these symptoms into account.
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