The pregnancy test after embryo transfer is one of the most pivotal milestones in the surrogacy journey. For both surrogates and intended parents, it represents the first tangible glimpse of whether all the medical preparation, emotional investment, and hopeful anticipation will lead to the next stage of pregnancy.
This stage of the surrogacy process is often filled with excitement, but also with a great deal of anxiety. Surrogates may feel the pressure of carrying the hopes of intended parents, while intended parents themselves may oscillate between eager anticipation and fear of disappointment. Understanding what to expect during this waiting period, and knowing how to interpret results, can ease some of the uncertainty and help everyone involved feel more grounded.
How Embryo Transfer Works in Surrogacy
A look at this crucial process:
What Happens During Embryo Transfer
Embryo transfer is the medical procedure that places an embryo into the surrogate’s uterus. In surrogacy, this step typically occurs after embryos are created through in vitro fertilization (IVF) using the intended parents’ or donors’ genetic material. A fertility specialist carefully inserts the embryo through the cervix and into the uterus, where it has the chance to implant and begin growing into a pregnancy.
Why Embryo Transfer Matters
This procedure is the pivotal step that gives an embryo the opportunity to develop into a baby. For surrogates and intended parents alike, the transfer represents the moment of possibility: the embryo is placed, but the true test of success will come only when the surrogate’s body begins producing signs of pregnancy.
For a deeper explanation of this process, see our detailed guide on embryo transfers to surrogate mothers.
IVF and Surrogacy Success Rate
How to understand the odds of IVF turning into a successful pregnancy.
How Embryos Are Created and Selected
The embryo transferred to a surrogate does not appear out of thin air. It is created through IVF, a process in which eggs are fertilized by sperm in a laboratory. Doctors may then test or grade the embryos to select the healthiest one for transfer, giving the intended parents the best possible chance of success.
Surrogacy and IVF Together
One of the strengths of surrogacy is that it combines the scientific precision of IVF with the supportive environment of a carefully screened surrogate. Because surrogates are often healthy women who meet strict medical criteria, this can increase the overall chance of implantation and pregnancy.
You can learn more in our resources on IVF and surrogacy and the success rates of IVF with a surrogate
Why Testing Matters
Even with the best embryos and the most carefully managed transfers, timing plays a significant role in whether a pregnancy test delivers accurate results. Testing too early can lead to false negatives, while waiting too long can delay the reassurance everyone hopes for. Understanding the best window for testing is therefore essential.
When to Take a Pregnancy Test After Embryo Transfer
Understanding timing at this critical point in the process:
The Role of hCG
Pregnancy tests, whether at home or in a clinic, detect the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This hormone is produced by the body after a fertilized embryo successfully implants into the uterine lining. Without implantation, hCG levels remain low, and a test will come back negative.
Why Testing Too Early Can Be Misleading
It can be tempting for surrogates or intended parents to test only a few days after transfer, hoping for a quick answer. However, testing too early often leads to disappointment. If the embryo has not yet implanted—or if hCG levels have not risen enough to be detected—the test may produce a false negative. This does not necessarily mean the transfer failed; it may simply be too soon.
General Medical Guidance
Most fertility clinics advise waiting 10–14 days after the embryo transfer before taking a pregnancy test. This window allows time for the embryo to implant and for hCG to build up to detectable levels. Waiting those extra days may feel challenging, but it helps prevent unnecessary heartbreak caused by premature testing.
The Importance of Patience
Patience is one of the hardest but most important parts of the surrogacy process at this stage. Surrogates and intended parents alike should remind themselves that the body needs time to adjust and respond, and that testing too soon could cloud what should otherwise be a hopeful milestone.
What a Negative Pregnancy Test Means After Embryo Transfer
Why a negative test might not be the end of the story:
Negative at 7 Days: Too Early to Confirm
If a surrogate tests at seven days after embryo transfer and receives a negative result, it is generally too early to draw conclusions. Implantation may not have occurred yet, and hormone levels may still be too low to detect.
Negative at 10 Days: More Telling, But Not Always Final
At 10 days post-transfer, a negative test begins to carry more weight. Still, there are cases where implantation occurs later than average, meaning a late-rising pregnancy could still emerge in the days that follow.
The Official Test at 12–14 Days
The most reliable results come at 12–14 days post-transfer, when clinics usually order a blood test to confirm pregnancy. Blood tests are more sensitive than at-home tests, meaning they can detect lower levels of hCG and provide a more definitive answer.
For surrogates and intended parents, this official test often provides the closure or celebration they have been waiting for since transfer day.
Why Embryo Transfers Sometimes Fail
Important factors to consider:
Biological Factors
Even under the best conditions, embryo transfers sometimes do not result in pregnancy. One reason may be embryo quality. Not every embryo has the potential to implant successfully, even if it appears healthy under a microscope.
Timing and Uterine Receptivity
The uterine lining must also be ready to receive the embryo. If the timing is slightly off—if the lining is not at its peak receptivity—the embryo may not implant. Fertility specialists do their best to align these factors, but nature does not always cooperate.
Hormonal and Medical Influences
Other issues, such as hormonal imbalances or medical complications, can also interfere with implantation. Importantly, failed transfers are not unusual and do not mean that future attempts will not succeed. Many intended parents and surrogates achieve success after multiple tries.
Emotional Support and Practical Guidance After Embryo Transfer
What to do during this emotionally charged time:
Following the Clinic’s Instructions
Every fertility clinic provides detailed instructions about when to test and how to manage the waiting period. Following this medical guidance is crucial. Surrogates and intended parents should resist the urge to test early and instead trust the process outlined by their care team.
Coping With the Emotional Two-Week Wait
The time between transfer and official pregnancy testing is often referred to as the “two-week wait,” and it can be one of the most emotionally taxing parts of surrogacy. Surrogates may feel heightened awareness of every twinge or symptom, while intended parents may be counting the hours until results are in. Finding healthy distractions, leaning on friends or family for support, and staying connected to one another can ease this difficult waiting period.
Keeping Open Communication
Open communication with the fertility team is also vital. If surrogates or intended parents have questions, concerns, or worries, reaching out to the clinic or agency can provide reassurance. Intended parents should also check in regularly with their surrogate, not only for updates but to offer emotional encouragement. The relationship between surrogate and intended parents often deepens during this time, as both sides learn to navigate uncertainty together.
Start Your Journey With Surrogacy By Faith
Whether the first pregnancy test after embryo transfer is positive or negative, it is important to remember that this is just one step in the surrogacy journey. A single result does not define the outcome of an entire process. IVF and surrogacy together increase the overall chances of success, and many families achieve pregnancy after multiple transfers.
At Surrogacy By Faith, we walk alongside surrogates and intended parents throughout every stage—from embryo transfer to pregnancy testing and beyond. We understand the mix of excitement, nerves, and hope that surrounds the two-week wait, and we are always available to answer questions. Our team takes the time to speak with each person individually, whether by phone or email, ensuring that no one feels alone in this process.
If you are considering surrogacy, fill out our Intended Parent Inquiry Form or Surrogate Form today. With patience, trust in the process, and the right support system, this milestone can become a meaningful and hopeful step toward building the family you’ve been dreaming of.