You will take progesterone by injection, vaginal suppository or gel. Once you are pregnant, you will remain on medication as prescribed until one week after your second ultrasound at 10 weeks from your last menstrual period. At that time, we individualize the remaining course depending on your age , whether you have multiple embryos, and your general ovarian health.

In the medical world, all pregnancies are dated from the last menstrual period, since, in the past, this was the last identifiable event prior to your pregnancy. This is a tradition in obstetrics dating back hundreds of years. After IVF, since we know the date of conception, which is the date of egg retrieval and insemination, we calculate a theoretical last menstrual period by subtracting two weeks from the egg retrieval and calculate the gestational age from the theoretical last menstrual period. For example, when your pregnancy test returns positive, you are already four weeks pregnant.

The first ultrasound is to establish the number of embryos attached, the presence of a heartbeat demonstrating viability; the second ultrasound checks for good growth and progression of the embryo.

After the first ultrasound, you should call your obstetrician to schedule your first obstetrical visit at around 10 weeks. From that point on, you return to the care of your obstetrician.

Ultrasound of 9 week fetus

It is very, very common to experience minor spotting, bleeding and even some mild cramping within the first trimester. Provided the spotting is not associated with heavier bleeding, cramping, or blood clots, it is usually not a cause for alarm. This does not mean that you will lose the pregnancy. This is probably due to the process of the placenta opening small maternal blood vessels in the uterus, which it must do for the placenta and fetus to survive and grow. If the bleeding becomes heavy, similar to a menstrual period or heavier, or if you develop any significant cramping or pelvic pain, please call the clinic or after 10 weeks, your obstetrician, if you have returned to his or her care.

Ectopic (tubal) pregnancies are almost always diagnosed with blood tests or the early ultrasound before they have a chance to cause serious problems, but let us know if you have significant ovarian pain, shoulder pain, or a fainting episode.

If you do not conceive, you should schedule a follow-up visit with your doctor at the clinic so we can review the cycle and make plans for the future. This follow-up visit is very important to all of us.