| The two weeks after embryo transfer are the most | | | | progesterone, but this might not be at a level to |
| difficult and stressful of the entire procedure. This is | | | | match all the other hormones taken during the |
| supported by almost all the research conducted into | | | | treatment. Progesterone, by pessaries or injections, |
| in vitro fertilisation. Some women identify the | | | | can produce side-effects similar to those of early |
| injections, egg collection, or embryo transfer as the | | | | pregnancy, including headaches and mood swings. |
| most painful stages of in vitro fertilisation, but almost | | | | After two weeks the woman has a pregnancy test. |
| all say that the two weeks waiting to see if the | | | | She may meanwhile have experienced some bleeding. |
| embryos implant is almost unbearable. Some choose | | | | If so, clinics usually say it is still possible that she is |
| to carry on life as normal during the period and hope | | | | pregnant and it is worth having a test. Carried out by |
| that their daily routine will ease the tension. Others | | | | the clinics, tests are very sensitive to raised levels of |
| go away on holiday. Whichever, it is difficult to stop | | | | human chorionic gonadotropin, a naturally occurring |
| yourself from checking for symptoms either of | | | | hormone produced by the pregnancy and detectable |
| pregnancy or menstruation. | | | | in the woman's urine. Unfortunately these tests may |
| Most clinics prescribe progesterone during this | | | | only indicate a chemical pregnancy; where the |
| two-week period to prepare the lining of the womb | | | | hormone levels are consistent with pregnancy, but |
| for the embryo to implant and support its | | | | there is no viable embryo in die womb. |
| development. The body does produce its own | | | | |