Pregnancy after assisted reproduction: what are the first symptoms?

If you are undergoing fertility treatment, it is completely normal that after an embryo transfer or artificial insemination, you will be on the lookout for any symptoms that indicate that you have achieved the desired pregnancy.

That is why, at URE Centro Gutenberg, we would like to talk to you today about the first signs and symptoms that suggest embryo implantation. However, it is important to bear in mind that every patient is unique, so the absence of these signs does not mean that the result will be negative, just as having them does not mean pregnancy in 100% of cases.

Aversion to certain smells and/or foods

Don’t be alarmed if you start craving something you’ve never liked before. Or if, on the contrary, you start to hate your partner’s perfume. It’s normal! The hormonal changes caused by pregnancy make your sense of smell more sensitive, sometimes to extremes. Examples? One patient recently told us that she felt like… eating vinegar by the spoonful!

Increased breast size and sensitivity

Another of the most common symptoms of pregnancy, due to hormonal changes, is noticeable in your breasts: they become more sensitive and slightly larger.

Increased tiredness

This is also due to the hormonal changes that occur in your body after embryo implantation. You will feel more tired, sleepier… So, if it’s nine o’clock at night and you’re already asleep, don’t worry. It’s the hormones’ fault!

Vaginal bleeding

This is one of the symptoms that tends to scare our patients the most. And it’s understandable, as they confuse implantation bleeding with menstruation. However, there is an explanation for this bleeding: in order for the embryo to attach to your body, it has to break certain vessels in the endometrium to form new ones, which will allow it to obtain everything it needs for its development.

This vaginal bleeding does not always occur, nor does it occur in the same way. In some cases, it may be imperceptible; in others, it may resemble a period. The important thing is to know how to differentiate it to avoid scares, as it is lighter in texture, usually brown or pinkish.

Abdominal pain

As in the previous case, this is a symptom that often causes fear in expectant mothers. This is because these pains are similar to those experienced during menstruation, so many patients associate them with the treatment not going well.

However, you should know that this discomfort is normal and is usually caused by the growth and position changes that the uterus undergoes.

Frequent urge to urinate

This discomfort is caused by an increase in progesterone, which causes more blood to flow to the kidneys. As a result, your bladder fills up more quickly, so you have to go to the toilet more often…

Mood swings

This is one of the most variable symptoms, depending on each woman: in some it is very intense, while others notice it more mildly. Don’t be alarmed if you feel yourself going from euphoria to sadness, or vice versa. It’s part of the change your body is going through!

Abdominal bloating and/or constipation

This is one of those annoying signs that is also caused by hormonal changes. What happens here is that these hormones slow down intestinal transit, causing constipation and often discomfort such as heartburn and the dreaded nausea.

As we said at the beginning of the article, it is very important to bear in mind that the absence of symptoms does not mean that you are not pregnant. Some women experience them more intensely, while others hardly notice any special changes in their bodies.

On the other hand, remember that some symptoms, such as abdominal bloating, constipation or tiredness, may be due to the hormonal medication in your fertility treatment, and more specifically to the progesterone supplement that your fertility specialist has prescribed to promote embryo implantation.