First Scan After IVF Dated 1 Week Early?

[Grish069]

Hello,

I need some reassurance.

I recently had my first frozen embryo transfer with IVF. The transfer took place on the 12th Dec. I got my first faint positive on the night of the 18th Dec. My IVF clinic (overseas) asked me to book and early scan locally to see if 1 or 2 embryos had stuck (I transferred 2). I booked my first scan for 13th Jan (what I had calculated to be 6w + 4d). But the scanner said he couldn’t see an embryo, just a sac and yolk. From the size measure he dated it at 5w + 4d (one week early).

I don’t know if it’s just possible that my date calculations could be off by a few days (because even though with IVF dates are more solid, there is still some variation in actual implanting, right? And also, how the sonography measures could also vary, right?)

My other concern is that the embryo isn’t growing as it should.

I have an NHS scan booked for 20th Jan, but not sure if 1 week wait will show much more, or whether I should just try and hold out for 2 weeks.

I guess I want to hear success stories of similar situations, and likelihoods of each outcome.

Thank you for your support.

Hi OP,

Midwife sonographer here - from the dates you’ve given I’m assuming it was a day 3 embryo transfer? Was the scan abdominal or internal? We tend not to change EDD dates from IVF but a lot can depend on the skill of the sonographer at this early stage.

Also a lot can change in a weeks time and I would expect to see an embryo at your next scan if there was none today so I feel it would be worthwhile to keep the appointment on the 20th.

Thank you so much for your response and for this helpful info.

Hi, I’m frantically searching posts for reassurance. I know this post is old but hoping someone sees it.

We’re pregnant via IVF - 5 day transfer on the 29/07 so yesterday was 5w5d

I have spent all week in and out of hospital! After an emergency appointment last week due to what I was worried could be a UTI, little ache in my back. Definitely overreacted as the ache subsided 4 hours later. No bleeding, no pain, no shoulder tip pain etc.

Fast forward to follow ups this week:

Tuesday - early scan (5w1d) nothing visible but they argued my levels were strong so should see something. A random doctor said “definitely tubal miscarriage and you need emergency surgery tonight” which I raised with a different doctor after and she said “no both tubes are clear” - I repeated I am pain and bleeding free! So I self discharged as I wasn’t confident with their diagnosis when there isn’t any proof! And the lovely doctor agreed monitor and wait is best when they can’t find anything, in wrong or right place yet.
Thursday - repeat bloods (doubled), follow up scans both TVS & AB with a doctor from our fertility clinic present and they said I was right to decline surgery as they believe they can see the start of the pregnancy (very top of my womb)
Yesterday - repeat bloods (doubled) and 3 scans 1 TVS and 2 AB the sonographer was thorough, kind and said she can see what they’ve seen it’s just hard to get a clear image as it’s high up, I’m swollen, free fluid from the retrieval and a wonky womb. She mentioned from the measurements it’s around 5w though.

They agreed to let me have my follow up scan with my IVF clinic (supposed to be tomorrow as an earlier one due to the palava this week) but my original is Thursday 24/8 and I feel I should let my body rest and just have the one on Thursday and what’s meant to be will be. The scans just distress me and 4/5 days is longer for things to develop and show.

Any advice, suggestions, success stories are strongly welcomed because I’m driving myself mad on Dr Google!

@LunaPuggies22 I can’t believe this! 5 weeks is way too early to see something and exactly the reason most ivf clinics won’t do an early scan until 7 weeks. I’m in shock the doctor has told you that at such an early stage. It’s a good sign that your bloods are doubling which is usually what they go off rather than a scan at this point.. As hard as it is I would try not to worry right now. Hoping everything turns out ok for you ❤️

@noaddedsugarx thank you so much for your reply, I really appreciate it.

Honestly it has been the worst week, the 5th doctor I saw was the first one to listen to me properly and hear me out. I believe that was because she had assisted conception expertise and understood not every pregnancy follows a textbook. They were obsessed with my HCG, whereas she agreed doubling is a good sign and if the start of the pregnancy has been seen in the “right” place then wait and monitor is the best course of action.

She had no idea why the doctor suggested tubal miscarriage and apologised for that being discussed.

I’m so frustrated with it all! But I’m hoping the next 4/5 days wait until my follow up scan with my IVF clinic will hopefully give my body chance to make the magic happen ✨