Dear Eggsperts- I just had two good beta numbers. Now what? How long before my RE gives me the boot?? How will an Ob/gyn ever know what I went through?? Will they even think I’m funny? One more question: Do IVF Patients use date of transfer to determine pregnancy weeks and possibly due date? –Excited in Eugene
Dear Excited–WE ARE EXCITED WITH YOU!!! Congratulations!!! We know what a long journey this can be for so many women. You are nearing the end of your journey with your fertility doctor and will be soon be starting the biggest adventure of your life.
So, what’s next? First, keep taking medication that your doctor prescribed. Don’t stop until your doctor tells you. Depending on your clinic’s protocol, you may taper the medicine or stop cold turkey, usually somewhere between 9-12 weeks pregnant.
So, how do you know how far along your are? Your due date?
- By convention, pregnancy is counted starting with a menstrual period. Say what? You become pregnant after ovulation and implantation 2-3 weeks after your period. But, back in the old days, we didn’t know as much as we do now, and we aren’t about to change thousands of years of cultural beliefs.
- We also assume that everyone has monthly (every 4 weeks/28 day cycles). So, ovulation is about day 14. For IVF, even though it’s not really 14 days from your period, egg retrieval is considered Day 14 for counting pregnancy. Depending on when your embryo was transferred–Day 3 or Day 5, we add that to your ovulation day. So, on transfer day, you are counted as 2 weeks and 3 or 5 days pregnant.
- Assuming monthly periods, pregnancy lasts 40 weeks after your “last menstrual period.” What about that 9 months thing? Well, because most months have 30-31 days, when we add them up, 9 months does come to about 40 weeks.
- So, your due date is 40 weeks (280 days) from the first day of your period.(Disclaimer: If your periods are longer, or shorter, than 28 days apart, there are some different ways we do the calculations.)
- For IUI cycles, your due date is 266 days from the date of your insemination.
- For IVF cycles, your due date is 261-263 days from your embryo transfer (depending on Day 5 or Day 3 transfer).
- Really, just count back 2 weeks for IUI, or 2 weeks and 3-5 days from embryo transfer and call that “Day 1 of your period.” Add 40 weeks (or put it into a pregnancy calculator app), and voila … due date. ( Another Disclaimer here: most people don’t actually deliver on their due date. Term pregnancy is from 37-42 weeks from your “last menstrual period.”)
What’s next? Your doctor will likely schedule an ultrasound somewhere between 5 1/2 and 6 1/2 weeks pregnant (about 4ish weeks after your insemination or transfer.) This is to see how many babies are growing and if they are in the right place in the uterus. Depending on how early the ultrasound is done, you may see a gestational sac, a fetal pole, or sometimes a heartbeat. Assuming all looks good, your doctor may see you for one more ultrasound about 2 weeks later to make sure the pregnancy is continuing to grow and develop normally. At this point, you may be “given the boot” or “graduate” to your obstetrician. In uncomplicated pregnancies, your first OB visit is scheduled for about 10 weeks (6-8 weeks after embryo transfer or insemination).
Your OB will definitely know what you went through to get here. They probably had some infertility training in residency and know how much fertility treatment babies mean to their parents. They know this was no “accident” and that you had to work hard to get to this point. They know you are excited, anxious, and scared, and will be until you have a baby in your arms. And yes, if you crack jokes with your OB, they will laugh with you. Because of the work we do “down there,” you may find OB/GYNs to be about the funniest people you will meet. But, your OB will also be one of the most serious people you will meet because they now have 2 patients depending on them and they want to bring you, and your baby, through this journey safe, healthy, and happy.
YOU GOT THIS!! NOW GO ROCK THE BABY BUMP!!!
We hope we met your Eggspectations—An Eggspert
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Disclaimer: All of the comments on this page are for basic information only. They are based on the opinions and expertise of the authors and are not meant to provide a substitute for medical care or specific treatment recommendations. Each person is unique and requires individualized diagnosis and treatment plans. Any specific questions should be directed to your personal healthcare provider.