PUPO, IVF, and The Search for Positivity After Embryo Transfer

undefiningmotherhood.com

Starting the in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment process can be daunting. When you start IVF, Not only are you trying to develop a grasp on what the procedure actually entails, but you’re also trying to understand the MANY the minor details.

Understanding the PUPO Meaning

Otherwise known as “pregnant until proven otherwise,” PUPO is one of my favorite TTC acronyms.

Here’s the thing about being PUPO, though. It’s exciting, but it’s also a nerve-wracking time when we want desperately to know what’s happening inside our body, but we don’t have any way to know.

Searching for Positive Signs After an Embryo Transfer

#1: Spotting/Light Bleeding

As an embryo implants itself into the wall of a woman’s uterus, it can occasionally cause light bleeding or spotting. But this side effect can also come from the embryo transfer itself.

#2: Feeling Tired

Does it seem like you can’t stay awake during the day? Do you always feel ready for a nap? Feeling more fatigued than normal can be an early pregnancy indicator.

#3: Bloating

If your stomach is starting to swell in the first couple of weeks after your embryo transfer, there’s a good chance it’s NOT a baby belly.

#4: Achy or Veiny Boobs

While I panicked that body was doing something weird, it turns out that strange boob sensations are a common sign of pregnancy. So, if your boobs are starting to swell, ache, or look like they’re covered in blue zebra stripes, you might be expecting.

#5: Headaches

While headaches aren’t anything new for me, they started coming hard and fast after I had my embryo transfer. Apparently, increased headaches are just one more symptom all of those pregnancy hormones are starting to race.

Advice for After an Embryo Transfer

You took the medicine, did the tests, and worked with a professional who understands the ins and outs of the IVF process. There’s no denying that a negative result is always a possibility, but for now, you’re pregnant until proven otherwise!

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Worry-Free Pregnancy Guide

(Beneficial for all anxious expecting moms, but originally created for moms experiencing pregnancy after loss. 4 exercises I've developed with my therapist during pregnancy after loss, plus monthly calendars and mood trackers to help you monitor your progress and find important patterns)

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