What should you know about testing after embryo transfer?

After transfer, the embryo may need time to attach before it produces detectable pregnancy hormone. Testing too early can give a negative result even when pregnancy later becomes apparent. Some fertility medicines can also affect the timing or interpretation of a result, which is why the clinic's planned test date matters. A blood test may measure the hormone more precisely than a urine test and can be repeated to clarify a changing result.

Use the test method and date provided by your clinic. Keep taking prescribed support, such as micronised progesterone, unless the fertility team tells you to stop; read more about [Micronised Progesterone](/materials/micronised-progesterone/). Record the result and contact the clinic whether it is positive, negative, or unclear. Do not change medicines because of spotting or a home test alone. Your clinic can explain the next blood test, scan, or treatment plan.

Contact the clinic urgently for heavy bleeding, severe or one-sided pelvic pain, fainting, marked dizziness, shoulder-tip pain, fever, or breathing difficulty. These symptoms need assessment rather than waiting for the planned test. A positive result still needs follow-up, and an early negative result may need repeating if testing was before the advised date.

Ask which day to test, whether a urine or blood test is planned, how your medicines affect interpretation, when to repeat an unclear result, and who to call outside clinic hours. Ask what symptoms require same-day review and when an ultrasound could confirm the pregnancy location.