Embryo Development From In Vitro Fertilization to a Positive Pregnancy Test
Table of Contents
Embryo Development From In Vitro Fertilization to a Positive Pregnancy Test
Days Post 5-Day Transfer, DP5DT
During IVF, the first two weeks of embryo development are tracked to determine if implantation and pregnancy have occurred. This includes fertilization, 5 days of development of the embryo in the lab, transfer of the embryo to the uterus, and 9 days post transfer when a home pregnancy test can finally be used to detect a pregnancy. Learn more.
Sperm and Ovum
Image by TheVisualMD
Superovulation
Fallopian Tube and Ovary
Image by TheVisualMD
Fallopian Tube and Ovary
Medical visualization of a cross-section of the ovary, as well as the associated fallopian tube; seen inside the cross-section are a developing follicle, corpus luteum, and corpus albicans.
Image by TheVisualMD
Superovulation
In this process, also known as ovarian stimulation, ovulation induction, or stimulation of egg maturation, a woman takes medication to stimulate the ovaries to make many mature eggs at one time.
These medications are given by injection for 8 to 14 days. A health care provider closely monitors the development of the eggs using transvaginal ultrasound and blood tests to assess follicle growth and estrogen production by the ovaries. When the eggs are mature—as determined by the size of the ovarian follicles and the level of estrogen—an injection of the hormone hCG initiates the ovulation process. A health care provider takes out (egg retrieval) the eggs 34 to 36 hours after the hCG injection.
Source: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Additional Materials (5)
IVF Ovarian Stimulation Short Protocol
Video by Life Invitro/YouTube
In Vitro Fertilization Ovarian Stimulation
Video by University of Iowa Health Care/YouTube
IVF PROCESS STEP BY STEP (In Vitro Fertilisation): Ovarian stimulation
Video by Instituto Bernabeu/YouTube
3A IVF CONTROLLED OVARIAN STIMULATION THE PROCESS
Video by Ton Yen/YouTube
Infertility Ovarian Stimulation • West Coast Women’s Reproductive Center
Video by West Coast Women's Reproductive Center/YouTube
1:29
IVF Ovarian Stimulation Short Protocol
Life Invitro/YouTube
1:23
In Vitro Fertilization Ovarian Stimulation
University of Iowa Health Care/YouTube
1:02
IVF PROCESS STEP BY STEP (In Vitro Fertilisation): Ovarian stimulation
Instituto Bernabeu/YouTube
6:00
3A IVF CONTROLLED OVARIAN STIMULATION THE PROCESS
Ton Yen/YouTube
1:08
Infertility Ovarian Stimulation • West Coast Women’s Reproductive Center
West Coast Women's Reproductive Center/YouTube
Egg Retrieval
Ovary and Fallopian Tube
Image by TheVisualMD
Ovary and Fallopian Tube
Illustration of ovary and fallopian tube. The major female sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone are produced in the corpora lutea of the ovaries. Estrogen plays a major role in the maintenance of the reproductive organs and the development of secondary sex characteristics. Progesterone plays a role in preparing and maintaining the uterus which supports the development of the embryo.
Image by TheVisualMD
Egg Retrieval
This is the process used to remove the eggs from the ovaries so they can be fertilized. The procedure is performed in a physician's office as an outpatient procedure. A mild sedative and painkiller are often used during the procedure, and it normally takes about 30 minutes. The steps for egg retrieval are as follows:
An ultrasound probe is inserted into the vagina to visualize the ovaries and the follicles, which contain the eggs.
A needle is inserted through the wall of the vagina to the ovaries. Generally, ultrasound is used to guide the placement of the needle.
Suction is used to pull the eggs from the ovaries into the needle.
Source: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Additional Materials (7)
RMG Miracle of Life: In Vitro Fertilization Egg Retrieval
Video by sandybgoodmanmd/YouTube
In Vitro Fertilization Egg Retrieval Process
Video by University of Iowa Health Care/YouTube
Ovarian Egg Retrieval • West Coast Women’s Reproductive Center
Video by West Coast Women's Reproductive Center/YouTube
IVF Egg Retrieval Procedure | Infertility TV
Video by Infertility TV/YouTube
Double the IVF Pregnancy Rates: Early Egg Retrieval for Women 43+
Video by Center for Human Reproduction/YouTube
Egg Retrieval | Santa Monica Fertility
Video by Dr. John Jain - Santa Monica Fertility/YouTube
Exclusive Tour: Inside the IVF Laboratory at RMA of New York
Video by RMA of New York/YouTube
6:48
RMG Miracle of Life: In Vitro Fertilization Egg Retrieval
sandybgoodmanmd/YouTube
1:29
In Vitro Fertilization Egg Retrieval Process
University of Iowa Health Care/YouTube
0:55
Ovarian Egg Retrieval • West Coast Women’s Reproductive Center
West Coast Women's Reproductive Center/YouTube
1:35
IVF Egg Retrieval Procedure | Infertility TV
Infertility TV/YouTube
5:57
Double the IVF Pregnancy Rates: Early Egg Retrieval for Women 43+
Center for Human Reproduction/YouTube
0:14
Egg Retrieval | Santa Monica Fertility
Dr. John Jain - Santa Monica Fertility/YouTube
10:16
Exclusive Tour: Inside the IVF Laboratory at RMA of New York
RMA of New York/YouTube
Fertilization - Day 1
Human Egg
1
2
3
1) Human Egg 2) Fertilized by a Single Sperm 3) Human Egg with Multiple Sperm trying to penetrate the egg
Interactive by TheVisualMD
Human Egg
1
2
3
1) Human Egg 2) Fertilized by a Single Sperm 3) Human Egg with Multiple Sperm trying to penetrate the egg
1) Human Egg - Scanning Electron Microscopic image of human egg and sperm before fertilization
2) Fertilized by a Single Sperm - Scanning Electron Microscopic image of human egg with single sperm fertilization
3) Human Egg with Multiple Sperm trying to penetrate the egg - Scanning Electron Microscopic image of human egg with multiple sperm
Interactive by TheVisualMD
Fertilization - Day 1
A man provides a semen sample. If the sperm are healthy, they are centrifuged to concentrate them and reduce the volume, placed in a dish with the egg, and left overnight in an incubator. Fertilization usually occurs on its own. However, sometimes sperm are not able to fertilize the egg on their own. When this is the case, a single sperm is injected into an egg using a needle. This process is called intracytoplasmic (pronounced IN-truh-sahy-tuh-PLAZ-mick) sperm injection (ICSI). About 60% of IVF in the Unites States is performed with ICSI.3 The pregnancy rate is about the same for IVF using natural fertilization or ICSI.
If sperm cannot fertilize the egg without assistance, couples should consider genetic testing. This testing can determine whether the sperm have chromosome problems that might cause development problems in the resulting embryos.
Embryos that develop from IVF are placed into the uterus 1 to 6 days after retrieval.
Source: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Additional Materials (3)
In Vitro Fertilization Embryo Culture
Video by University of Iowa Health Care/YouTube
Exclusive Tour: Inside the IVF Laboratory at RMA of New York
Video by RMA of New York/YouTube
Egg, sperm, and fertilization | Behavior | MCAT | Khan Academy
Video by khanacademymedicine/YouTube
0:35
In Vitro Fertilization Embryo Culture
University of Iowa Health Care/YouTube
10:16
Exclusive Tour: Inside the IVF Laboratory at RMA of New York
RMA of New York/YouTube
11:35
Egg, sperm, and fertilization | Behavior | MCAT | Khan Academy
khanacademymedicine/YouTube
Embryo Development - Day 2
Mitotic Division Resulting in Two Blastomere
Image by TheVisualMD
Mitotic Division Resulting in Two Blastomere
Of the approximately 300 million sperm cells released in an ejaculation, only 1% will reach the egg and only a single sperm will penetrate and fertilize the egg. After the union of sperm and egg, the fusion of genetic material takes place. The fertilized egg, called a zygote, then divides into two cells (called blastomeres) after about 30 hours and four cells after 40 hours. As it divides, it is slowly carried down the fallopian tube. When it reaches the 16-blastomere stage, it is called a morula, and approximately 72 hours after fertilization, it reaches the uterus.
Image by TheVisualMD
Embryo Development - Day 2
Cells divide and the embryo is 2 to 4 cells.
Source: StoryMD
Embryo Development - Day 3
Mitotic Division Resulting in Eight Blastomere
Image by TheVisualMD
Mitotic Division Resulting in Eight Blastomere
Photograph, actual size of zygote = 0.2 mm approx. - This image depicts the zygote, which has undergone three mitotic divisions. Eight cells, also called blastomeres, can be seen. They are all indicated in gray-green with a white-purple outline. By the third division, the blastomeres form a compact ball of cells. This process is called compaction, where inner and outer cells are separated. Communication between the inner and outer cells are done by way of gap junctions.
Image by TheVisualMD
Embryo Development - Day 3
The embryo continues to grow and divide and is now 6-8 cells. Eventually they will be moved to a petri-dish with a chemistry that mimics the uterine fluid.
Source: StoryMD
Additional Materials (1)
This browser does not support the video element.
Cleavage in Developing Embryo
Being shown is the embryonic cleavage or rapid division of a zygote to form a multicellular morula. A morula is an embryo at an early stage of embryonic development, consisting of approximately 12-32 cells (blastomeres) in a sold ball contained within the zona pellucida.
Video by TheVisualMD
0:25
Cleavage in Developing Embryo
TheVisualMD
Embryo Development - Day 4 (Morula)
Mitotic Division Resulting in Sixteen Blastomere
Image by TheVisualMD
Mitotic Division Resulting in Sixteen Blastomere
Photograph, actual size of zygote = 0.2 mm approx. - This image depicts the zygote, which has undergone about four mitotic divisions. Sixteen cells, also called blastomeres, can be seen. They are all indicated in gray-green with a white-purple outline. At this point, the cluster of cells is called a morula and continues to divide. When the morula enters the uterus, changes occur to this sphere of cells to form a structure called the blastocyst.
Image by TheVisualMD
Embryo Development - Day 4 (Morula)
The embryo is now in the morula stage and is 16-32 cells. The morula resembles a mulberry and consists of two cell types, outer cells and inner cells.
Source: StoryMD
Embryo Development - Day 5 (Blastocyst)
Cell Division
Image by "Conception to Birth: The Visual Guide to Your Pregnancy" by Alexander Tsiaras
Cell Division
The fertilized egg, termed a zygote, divides into 2 cells after about 24 hours, 4 cells after 48 hours, and 6-12 cells in 3 days. At about 5 days, the zygote has transformed into a hollow ball called the blastocyst.
Image by "Conception to Birth: The Visual Guide to Your Pregnancy" by Alexander Tsiaras
Embryo Development - Day 5 (Blastocyst)
On the 5th day after fertilization, the cells of the morula divide into an embryo of over 100 cells and form into a blastocyst, a sphere made up of an outer layer of cells (the trophoblast), a fluid-filled cavity (the blastocoel), and a cluster of cells on the interior (the inner cell mass). At this stage the embryo is ready for transfer into the uterus.
Source: StoryMD
Additional Materials (1)
Blastocyst
1. morula 2. blostocyst
Image by Pidalka44
Blastocyst
Pidalka44
Embryo Transfer
A medical illustration depicting a intrauterine insemination procedure.
Image by BruceBlaus
A medical illustration depicting a intrauterine insemination procedure.
A medical illustration depicting a intrauterine insemination procedure.
Image by BruceBlaus
Embryo Transfer
This procedure is performed in a physician's office. The procedure is normally painless, but some women may experience cramping.
A health care provider inserts a long, thin tube through the vagina and into the uterus and injects the embryo into the uterus. The embryo should implant into the lining of the uterus 6 to 10 days after retrieval.
Sometimes the embryos are frozen and thawed at a later date for embryo transfer. This is often done when fresh embryos fail to implant or when a woman wants to preserve her eggs in order to become pregnant years later. Women either time implantation with their ovulation cycle or receive estrogen and progesterone medications to prepare their uterine linings for implantation.
Source: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Additional Materials (8)
Establishing New Life
From conception to birth, the mother-fetal bond is biologically indivisible. The communication between the mother’s body and the genetically distinct fetus begins with a physiological negotiation that prevents the rejection of the embryo as foreign tissue. The biological conversation that ensues for 9 months will be marked by tremendous complexity and subtle coordination.
Image by TheVisualMD
Mitotic Division Resulting in Eight Blastomere
Photograph, actual size of zygote = 0.2 mm approx. - This image depicts the zygote, which has undergone three mitotic divisions. Eight cells, also called blastomeres, can be seen. They are all indicated in gray-green with a white-purple outline. By the third division, the blastomeres form a compact ball of cells. This process is called compaction, where inner and outer cells are separated. Communication between the inner and outer cells are done by way of gap junctions.
Image by TheVisualMD
Embryo Transfer
Video by New Hope Fertility Center/YouTube
Embryo Transfer Day! Behind the Scenes! What to Expect!
Video by Infertility TV/YouTube
Embryo Transfer procedure
Video by Metro IVF/YouTube
Infertility: Considering Elective Single Embryo Transfer
Video by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/YouTube
Fresh Embryo Transfer: What is Involved
Video by City Fertility/YouTube
Blastocyst Development - Day 3 to Day 5 (MUST SEE)
Video by London Women's Clinic (Cardiff)/YouTube
Establishing New Life
TheVisualMD
Mitotic Division Resulting in Eight Blastomere
TheVisualMD
0:57
Embryo Transfer
New Hope Fertility Center/YouTube
4:21
Embryo Transfer Day! Behind the Scenes! What to Expect!
Infertility TV/YouTube
0:40
Embryo Transfer procedure
Metro IVF/YouTube
4:14
Infertility: Considering Elective Single Embryo Transfer
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/YouTube
3:18
Fresh Embryo Transfer: What is Involved
City Fertility/YouTube
1:40
Blastocyst Development - Day 3 to Day 5 (MUST SEE)
London Women's Clinic (Cardiff)/YouTube
Post Transfer - Day 1
This browser does not support the video element.
Implantation of Fertilized Egg in Lining of Uterus
Video by TheVisualMD
This browser does not support the video element.
Implantation of Fertilized Egg in Lining of Uterus
Close up shot of a blastocyst as it implants itself in the lining of the uterus. Implantation is the process of attachment of the embryo to the endometrial lining of the uterine wall which will eventually connect to the mother's circulatory system. Implantation usually occurs after the blastocyst arrives in the uterus about a week after ovulation and fertilization.
Video by TheVisualMD
Post Transfer - Day 1
The blastocyst, which continues to expand through division, is covered by the zona pellucida, a thick exterial coat, that is protecting it from attaching to the uterus. Eventually the fluid within the blastocyst breaks out of the zona pellucida, and the embryo "hatches" out while the zona pellucida disippates in the uterus.
Source: StoryMD
Additional Materials (1)
This browser does not support the video element.
Implantation
Animation showing a surface view of an implantation site of a human conceptus at an estimated fertilization age of 14 days. The animation is off the different layers of the endometruium (decidua) as they dissolve away to reveal the developing embryo within the amniotic cavity. The circular formation off to the left is the closing plug which is formed when the blastocyst entered the decidua. The decidua above the implant (decidua capsularis) is smooth and stained brownish red, whereas the remain decidua (decidua parietalis) is lined by deeps folds. Beneath the first layer lies the zona compacta wtih many decidual cells followed by the zona spongiosa with broadened glandular ducts. The chorion is embedded in the zona compacta. The embryo with the amniotic cavity and the yolk sac is suspended in the wide chorionic cavity by the body stalk.
Video by TheVisualMD
0:38
Implantation
TheVisualMD
Post Transfer - Day 2
Blastocyst Embedded in Uterine Wall
Image by TheVisualMD
Blastocyst Embedded in Uterine Wall
Blastocyst Embedded in Uterine Wall : This image provides a side-view of the blastocyst, the mass of cells in light pink, implanted to the uterine wall. The blastocyst is developed when the cells of the morula begin to differentiate into two layers. The outer layer, the trophoblast, will develop into the placenta and the inner layer, the embryoblast, serves as the template for the embryo. This image illustrates the position of the blastocyst which is situated in the mother's uterus.
Image by TheVisualMD
Post Transfer - Day 2
Once fully hatched, the blastocyst comes in contact with the uterine wall and adheres to it, embedding itself in the uterine lining via the trophoblast cells.
Source: StoryMD
Post Transfer - Day 3
Bilaminar Embryonic Disc
Image by TheVisualMD
Bilaminar Embryonic Disc
Computer Generated visualization. Actual size = 0.2 mm - This image reveals the changes the blastocyst undergoes during the process of implantation in the uterine wall. While the trophoblasts, the outer cells of the blastocyst, are directly involved in the process of implantation, the inner cells undergo changes. They differentiate into two layers called the epiblast and hypoblast, which together constitute the bilaminar embryonic disc. The space seen in the image, the round pale pink opening, indicates the amniotic cavity.
Image by TheVisualMD
Post Transfer - Day 3
The blastocyst attaches deeper into the uterine lining, beginning the process of implantation. This can be accompanied by minor bleeding. The blastocyst typically implants in the fundus of the uterus or on the posterior wall. However, if the endometrium is not fully developed and ready to receive the blastocyst, the blastocyst will detach and find a better spot. A significant percentage (50-75 percent) of blastocysts fail to implant; when this occurs, the blastocyst is shed with the endometrium during menses. The high rate of implantation failure is one reason why pregnancy typically requires several ovulation cycles to achieve.
Source: StoryMD
Post Transfer - Day 4
Blastocyst in Uterine Wall
Image by TheVisualMD
Blastocyst in Uterine Wall
Having secured a home and a food supply, the blastocyst doubles in size every day.
Image by TheVisualMD
Post Transfer - Day 4
Implantation continues and the blastocyst also attaches itself to the blood supply of the endometrium, or uterine lining.
Source: StoryMD
Additional Materials (1)
This browser does not support the video element.
Implantation of Fertilized Egg in Lining of Uterus
Close up shot of a blastocyst as it implants itself in the lining of the uterus. Implantation is the process of attachment of the embryo to the endometrial lining of the uterine wall which will eventually connect to the mother's circulatory system. Implantation usually occurs after the blastocyst arrives in the uterus about a week after ovulation and fertilization.
Video by TheVisualMD
0:20
Implantation of Fertilized Egg in Lining of Uterus
TheVisualMD
Post Transfer - Day 5
This browser does not support the video element.
Implantation
Video by TheVisualMD
This browser does not support the video element.
Implantation
Animation showing a surface view of an implantation site of a human conceptus at an estimated fertilization age of 14 days. The animation is off the different layers of the endometruium (decidua) as they dissolve away to reveal the developing embryo within the amniotic cavity. The circular formation off to the left is the closing plug which is formed when the blastocyst entered the decidua. The decidua above the implant (decidua capsularis) is smooth and stained brownish red, whereas the remain decidua (decidua parietalis) is lined by deeps folds. Beneath the first layer lies the zona compacta wtih many decidual cells followed by the zona spongiosa with broadened glandular ducts. The chorion is embedded in the zona compacta. The embryo with the amniotic cavity and the yolk sac is suspended in the wide chorionic cavity by the body stalk.
Video by TheVisualMD
Post Transfer - Day 5
Implantation is now complete. The embryo has started dividing into cells that will also become the placenta.
Source: StoryMD
Additional Materials (1)
Blastocyst Embedded in Uterine Wall
Computer Generated Image from Micro-MRI, actual size = 0.2 mm - This image provides a side-view of the blastocyst, the mass of cells in light pink, implanted to the uterine wall. The blastocyst is developed when the cells of the morula begin to differentiate into two layers. The outer layer, the trophoblast, will develop into the placenta and the inner layer, the embryoblast, serves as the template for the embryo. This image illustrates the position of the blastocyst which is situated in the mother's uterus.
Contained entirely within the nurturing space of the womb, the developing embryo cannot eat or breathe, and therefore must obtain all nutrients from other sources. For the first nine weeks, the early embryo depends on the yolk sac of the embryo for nourishment. Inside the yolk sac, tiny structures called 'blood islands' form. These will become the first blood and the first blood vessels. As pregnancy continues, these important external structures develop into the embryo's link to the mother's system - the umbilical cord and the supporting network known as the placenta. Until birth, the developing embryo is completely dependent on the mother for nutrients and waste disposal through the umbilical cord and the placenta.
Image by TheVisualMD
Post Transfer - Day 6
The embryo continues to devleop, and the developing placenta begins producing hCG, the hormone detected in pregnancy tests.
Source: StoryMD
Additional Materials (1)
The Placenta: A Vital Organ for Baby, Mom, and Science - Infographic
The Placenta - The Placenta: A Vital Organ for Baby, Mom, and Science
Image by National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health
The Placenta: A Vital Organ for Baby, Mom, and Science - Infographic
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health
Post Transfer - Day 7 and 8
Human Embryonic and Fetal Development
Image by TheVisualMD
Human Embryonic and Fetal Development
Three-dimensional visualization reconstructed from scanned human data of a 8 cell zygote, a 14-16 day old embryo, a 44 day old embryo, and a 9 week old fetus. The body does not increase greatly in size during the embryonic period. But during the the fetal period, beginning at week nine, a phase of rapid growth starts that continues until after birth.
Image by TheVisualMD
Post Transfer - Day 7 and 8
The embryo and placenta continue to devleop, and hCG levels in the bloodstream continue to increase. For some, a home pregnancy test might work at this stage.
Source: StoryMD
Additional Materials (1)
This browser does not support the video element.
Implantation
Animation showing a surface view of an implantation site of a human conceptus at an estimated fertilization age of 14 days. The animation is off the different layers of the endometrium (decidua) as they dissolve away to reveal the developing embryo within the amniotic cavity. The circular formation off to the left is the closing plug which is formed when the blastocyst entered the decidua. The decidua above the implant (decidua capsularis) is smooth and stained brownish red, whereas the remain decidua (decidua parietalis) is lined by deeps folds. Beneath the first layer lies the zona compacta wtih many decidual cells followed by the zona spongiosa with broadened glandular ducts. The chorion is embedded in the zona compacta. The embryo with the amniotic cavity and the yolk sac is suspended in the wide chorionic cavity by the body stalk.
Video by TheVisualMD
0:28
Implantation
TheVisualMD
Post Transfer - Day 9
Pregnancy test
Image by Wutthichai Charoenburi
Pregnancy test
Pregnancy test
Image by Wutthichai Charoenburi
Post Transfer - Day 9
By day 9 post transfer (14 days after fertilization), hCG levels should be high enough to detect a pregnancy with a home pregnancy test, however, a blood test is more reliable.
Source: StoryMD
Pregnancy Home Use Test
Pregnancy Home Use Test
Also called: Home Pregnancy Test, HPT, Pregnancy Test, Pregnancy Home Test
A pregnancy home test is used to measure human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your urine. It helps determine whether or not you have elevated hCG levels indicating that you are pregnant. You can detect hCG in your urine 12-15 days after ovulation.
Pregnancy Home Use Test
Also called: Home Pregnancy Test, HPT, Pregnancy Test, Pregnancy Home Test
A pregnancy home test is used to measure human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your urine. It helps determine whether or not you have elevated hCG levels indicating that you are pregnant. You can detect hCG in your urine 12-15 days after ovulation.
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
health.
Your result is Negative.
If you have a negative result, you should consider these results to be uncertain, as they may indicate a false negative. Until you can be sure that you’re not pregnant, you should be cautious and avoid doing anything that could hurt a developing fetus.
Related conditions
This is a home-use test kit to measure human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your urine. You produce this hormone only when you are pregnant.
hCG is a hormone produced by your placenta when you are pregnant. It appears shortly after the embryo attaches to the wall of the uterus. If you are pregnant, this hormone increases very rapidly. If you have a 28 day menstrual cycle, you can detect hCG in your urine 12-15 days after ovulation.
This is a qualitative test -- you find out whether or not you have elevated hCG levels indicating that you are pregnant.
You should use this test to find out if you are pregnant.
The accuracy of this test depends on how well you follow the instructions and interpret the results. If you mishandle or misunderstand the test kit, you may get poor results.
Most pregnancy tests have about the same ability to detect hCG, but their ability to show whether or not you are pregnant depends on how much hCG you are producing. If you test too early in your cycle or too close to the time you became pregnant, your placenta may not have had enough time to produce hCG. This would mean that you are pregnant but you got a negative test result.
Because many women have irregular periods, and women may miscalculate when their period is due, 10 to 20 pregnant women out of every 100 will not detect their pregnancy on the first day of their missed period.
For most home pregnancy tests, you either hold a test strip in your urine stream or you collect your urine in a cup and dip your test strip into the cup. If you are pregnant, most test strips produce a colored line, but this will depend on the brand you purchased. Read the instructions for the test you bought and follow them carefully. Make sure you know how to get good results. The test usually takes only about 5 minutes.
The different tests for sale vary in their abilities to detect low levels of hCG. For the most reliable results, test 1-2 weeks after you miss your period. There are some tests for sale that are sensitive enough to show you are pregnant before you miss your period.
You can improve your chances for an accurate result by using your first morning urine for the test. If you are pregnant, it will have more hCG in it than later urines. If you think you are pregnant, but your first test was negative, you can take the test again after several days. Since the amount of hCG increases rapidly when you are pregnant, you may get a positive test on later days. Some test kits come with more than one test in them to allow you to repeat the test.
The home pregnancy test and the test your doctor uses are similar in their abilities to detect hCG, however your doctor is probably more experienced in running the test. If you produce only a small amount of hCG, your doctor may not be able to detect it any better than you could. Your doctor may also use a blood test to see if you are pregnant. Finally, your doctor may have more information about you from your history, physical exam, and other tests that may give a more reliable result.
Usually, yes, but you must be sure to read and interpret the results correctly.
No, there are several reasons why you could receive false negative test results. If you tested too early in your cycle, your placenta may not have had time to produce enough hCG for the test to detect. Or, you may not have waited long enough before you took this test.
If you have a negative result, you would be wise to consider this a tentative finding. You should not use medications and should consider avoiding potentially harmful behaviors, such as smoking or drinking alcohol, until you have greater certainty that you are not pregnant.
You will probably recognize incorrect results with the passage of time. You may detect false negatives by the unexpected onset of menses (regular vaginal bleeding associated with “periods”.) Repeat testing and/or other investigations such as ultrasound may provide corrected results.
Pregnancy | FDA. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Apr 29, 2019 [accessed on Apr 29, 2019]
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003619.htm [accessed on Oct 03, 2019]
Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."
Additional Materials (7)
How to Take a Clear Blue Pregnancy Test | Parents
Video by Parents/YouTube
How Pregnancy Tests Work (Pregnancy Health Guru)
Video by Healthguru/YouTube
How Accurate are Pregnancy Tests? | Pregnancy Questions | Parents
Video by Parents/YouTube
A pregnancy test which shows a "positive" result i.e. the woman is pregnant. "C" = Control and "T" = test.
A pregnancy test which shows a "positive" result i.e. the woman is pregnant. "C" = Control and "T" = test.
Image by Nabokov (talk)
Pregnancy Test
Pregnancy Test
Image by JuliaFiedler
Pregnancy test...having a baby?
Pregnancy test...having a baby?
Image by amacchio
Accident, Baby, Checking, Device
Image by rawpixel/Pixabay
1:49
How to Take a Clear Blue Pregnancy Test | Parents
Parents/YouTube
2:42
How Pregnancy Tests Work (Pregnancy Health Guru)
Healthguru/YouTube
1:48
How Accurate are Pregnancy Tests? | Pregnancy Questions | Parents
Parents/YouTube
A pregnancy test which shows a "positive" result i.e. the woman is pregnant. "C" = Control and "T" = test.
Nabokov (talk)
Pregnancy Test
JuliaFiedler
Pregnancy test...having a baby?
amacchio
Accident, Baby, Checking, Device
rawpixel/Pixabay
Pregnancy Test
Pregnancy Test
Also called: Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Test, HCG Test, HCG total OB, HCG (Blood), HCG (Urine)
A pregnancy test can tell whether you're pregnant by checking a urine or blood sample for hCG, a hormone made during pregnancy. HCG levels can first be detected by a blood test about 11 days after conception and about 14 days after conception by a urine test.
Pregnancy Test
Also called: Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Test, HCG Test, HCG total OB, HCG (Blood), HCG (Urine)
A pregnancy test can tell whether you're pregnant by checking a urine or blood sample for hCG, a hormone made during pregnancy. HCG levels can first be detected by a blood test about 11 days after conception and about 14 days after conception by a urine test.
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
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(mi.U.)/mL
5
25
Your result is Negative.
Normal levels of the hCG hormone in women who are not pregnant.
Related conditions
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
health.
Your result is Negative.
A negative result rules out pregnancy.
Related conditions
A pregnancy test can tell whether you're pregnant by checking a sample of your urine (pee) or blood for a specific hormone. The hormone is called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). High levels of hCG are a sign of pregnancy. hCG increases quickly in the first ten weeks after a fertilized egg attaches to the inside wall of the uterus.
Urine tests for pregnancy are most accurate when you do the test a week or two after you've missed your menstrual period. If you take a urine test too close to the time you got pregnant, the test could say that you are not pregnant even when you really are. That's because your body may not yet have made enough hCG to show up on the test.
You can have an hCG urine test at your health care provider's office or you can do the test yourself with an at-home test kit. These tests are basically the same, so many people use a home pregnancy test before calling their provider. If you follow the instructions carefully, home pregnancy tests are about 97-99% accurate. They can give you the results in minutes.
Blood tests for pregnancy can be done at your provider's office or a lab. These tests can find very small amounts of hCG, so they can accurately show whether you're pregnant before you've missed your period. But hCG blood tests aren't commonly used to check for pregnancy. That's because urine tests are less expensive, very accurate, and provide quicker results than blood tests. hCG blood test results may take hours to more than a day.
Other names: human chorionic gonadotropin test, HCG test, qualitative hCG blood test, quantitative hCG blood test, Beta-hCG urine test, total chorionic gonadotropin, hCG total OB
A pregnancy test is used to find out whether you're pregnant.
You may need this test if you think you're pregnant. Symptoms of pregnancy vary from person to person. The most common sign of early pregnancy is a missed period. Other common signs of early pregnancy may include:
Swollen, tender breasts
Fatigue
Frequent need to urinate (pee)
Nausea and vomiting (also called morning sickness)
Feeling bloated or swollen in your abdomen (belly) or body
If you need to have medical treatment that could harm an unborn baby, you may also need a pregnancy test to make sure that you aren't pregnant.
Home pregnancy tests are quick and easy to use. You can buy a home pregnancy test kit without a prescription. The kits include test sticks or strips that react to hCG in your urine. The steps for doing a test depend on the brand, so it's very important to follow the instructions that come with your test. For most test kits, you'll either:
Hold the test stick or strip in your urine stream
Collect your urine in a cup and dip the test stick or strip into the cup
After waiting a certain number of minutes, you'll check your results on the test stick or strip. The instructions will tell you what to look for. In general, to get the most accurate results with any home pregnancy test, you'll need to:
Check the expiration date before you use the test.
Test your first morning urine. Morning urine usually has more hCG than urine later in the day.
Use a timer. If you guess the timing, your results may not be accurate.
Blood tests are done at your provider's office or a lab. A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This process usually takes less than five minutes.
If you're doing a urine test, don't drink large amounts of fluid before collecting your sample. That could dilute the hCG in your urine, and it may not show up on the test. Otherwise, you don't need any special preparations for a pregnancy test that uses urine or blood.
There is no known risk to having a urine test.
There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.
Your results will show whether you're pregnant.
A negative result means hCG wasn't found in your sample, so you may not be pregnant. But a negative result doesn't always mean you're not pregnant. If you did a home urine test too soon, your body may not have made enough hCG to show up the test.
hCG levels increase every day during early pregnancy, so it's a good idea to repeat the test again in a week. If you get negative (not pregnant) results on two home tests, but you still think you're pregnant, call your provider. If you get a negative result on a test that your provider does, ask your provider if you need another test.
A positive result means that hCG was found in your sample. That usually means that you're pregnant. It's important to see your provider as soon as possible to make sure you get the right care. If you did a home test, your provider may do another test to confirm your pregnancy.
If you're taking medicine to help you get pregnant (fertility drugs), your test results may show that you're pregnant when you're not. Your provider can check to see whether you're really pregnant.
Most pregnancy tests simply measure whether or not you have hCG in your sample. But certain pregnancy tests also measure how much hCG you have. These tests are called quantitative hCG tests, and they're usually done on blood samples.
The amount of hCG in your body can give your provider important information about your pregnancy and the health of your unborn baby. Quantitative hCG tests are sometimes used to help:
Find out the age of the fetus if you're very early in your pregnancy
Monitor your pregnancy if you have a high risk of miscarriage
Check for certain problems, such as:
Ectopic pregnancy, which is a fertilized egg that tries to grow outside of the uterus. The egg cannot grow into a baby when it's in the wrong place. It must be removed to avoid damage to your organs. This can be a medical emergency.
Molar pregnancy (hydatidiform mole), which is an abnormal growth of tissue in the uterus. It's caused by a fertilized egg with such severe genetic problems that it cannot become a baby. The growth can turn into cancer and must be removed.
Problems in the unborn baby, including Down syndrome, other chromosome problems, and certain birth defects (hCG testing is usually part of a group of prenatal screening tests called a "triple" or "quadruple" screen test.)
Your provider may also order a quantitative hCG blood test to help diagnose or monitor health conditions that aren't related to pregnancy. These include ovarian and testicular cancer along with other conditions that can increase hCG levels.
Pregnancy Test: MedlinePlus Medical Test [accessed on Feb 29, 2024]
Quest Diagnostics: hCG, Total, Quantitative [accessed on Sep 12, 2018]
Possible Meanings of a High hCG Level in Pregnancy [accessed on Sep 12, 2018]
American Pregnancy: Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG): The Pregnancy Hormone [accessed on Sep 12, 2018]
Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."
Additional Materials (41)
hCG testing for pregnancy
Diagram of typical immunoassay home pregnancy test which detects human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). (A) A urine sample is applied to the stick. If pregnant, this should contain hCG. (B) As the sample is absorbed into the stick it goes through free dye-labeled antibodies that recognize and stick to hCG. (C) An anchored set of antibodies stick to and capture hCG molecules (and the attached dye-labeled antibodies), creating the first line. In the "not pregnant" sample no hCG is attached to the dye-labeled antibodies, so they wash past this point and no line appears. (D) A second anchored set of antibodies captures the dye-labeled antibodies, providing a positive control to indicate that the test is working properly.
Image by Madprime
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG): hCG Levels Increase Over Time
hCG testing for pregnancy is available to women of child-bearing age. The \"quad\" screen, of which hCG is a component, is especially recommended for women with higher-risk pregnancies as indicated by factors such as maternal age, family history, and disease history. Levels can first be detected by a blood test about 11 days after conception and about 12-14 days after conception by a urine test. In general the hCG levels will double every 72 hours. The level will reach its peak in the first 8-11 weeks of pregnancy and then will decline and level off for the remainder of the pregnancy.
Image by TheVisualMD
PAPP-A: PAPP-A Screening Tests
The PAPP-A screen is administered as a first-trimester screen integrated with an hCG test and nuchal translucency (NT) ultrasound. The test screens for chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome and trisomy 18. The image featured here shows an ultrasound image of a fetus suspected to have down syndrome. The areas of concern are highlighted in yellow.
Image by TheVisualMD
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)
In the very earliest stages of pregnancy, a developing placenta begins to secrete human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The hormone enters maternal circulation once an embryo is implanted in the endometrium, shown in this image. hCG testing is used widely to detect pregnancy. Because hCG levels begin to rise immediately after conception, the test enables accurate, early detection.
Image by TheVisualMD
Hormonal Regulation of Growth
Image by OpenStax College
How do pregnancy tests work? - Tien Nguyen
Video by TED-Ed/YouTube
How Pregnancy Tests Work (Pregnancy Health Guru)
Video by Healthguru/YouTube
How to Take a Clear Blue Pregnancy Test | Parents
Video by Parents/YouTube
How Accurate are Pregnancy Tests? | Pregnancy Questions | Parents
Video by Parents/YouTube
Focus on Health: Quad Screen
Video by Virginia Women's Center/YouTube
Graph of the levels of estrogen, progesterone, beta-hcg throughout pregnancy
Graph of the levels of estrogen, progesterone, beta-hcg throughout pregnancy
Image by osmosis
Fallopian Tube and Ovary - Upon fertilization, the egg secretes a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) which signals the corpus luteum to continue progesterone secretion, thereby maintaining the thick uterine lining of the womb.
Fallopian Tube and Ovary: Medical visualization of a cross-section of the ovary, as well as the associated fallopian tube; seen inside the cross-section are a developing follicle, corpus luteum, and corpus albicans. The ovaries are the site of egg production and maturation within the human female. Each month, an oocyte is ejected from a mature follicle to the surface of one of the two ovaries. This event is called ovulation. The finger-like projections of the fallopian tube (fimbriae) sweep up the oocyte into the duct where it awaits fertilization. The remains of the ruptured follicle in the ovary are transformed into a structure called the corpus luteum. Upon fertilization, the egg secretes a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) which signals the corpus luteum to continue progesterone secretion, thereby maintaining the thick uterine lining of the womb. If fertilization does not occur, the corpus luteum degenerates into a corpus albicans, which is essentially scar tissue and is mostly comprised of collagen.
Image by TheVisualMD
Sensitive content
This media may include sensitive content
Ooctye Erupting from Ovary
Visualization of an oocyte erupting from the surface of the ovary. The ovary, which is suspended by the ovarian ligament, is seen in cross section. Revealed are the ovarian follicles which are oocytes in various stages of maturation. Each month, one of the mature follicles ejects it's oocyte through the surface of the ovary. This event is called ovulation. The finger-like projections of the fallopian tube sweep up the oocyte into the duct where it awaits fertilization. Meanwhile, the remains of the ruptured follicle in the ovary are transformed into a structure called the corpus luteum which eventually degenerates if fertilization does not occur. If fertilized, however, the egg secretes the a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) which signals the corpus luteum to continue progesterone secretion, thereby maintaining the thick uterine lining of the womb.
Image by TheVisualMD
Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A
PAPP-A Screening Tests : The PAPP-A screen is administered as a first-trimester screen integrated with an hCG test and nuchal translucency (NT) ultrasound. The test screens for chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome and trisomy 18. The image featured here shows an ultrasound image of a fetus suspected to have down syndrome. The areas of concern are highlighted in yellow.
Image by TheVisualMD
Tubal Pregnancy with Human Embryo (7th week of pregnancy)
This photo of an opened oviduct with an ectopic pregnancy features a spectacularly well preserved 10-millimeter embryo. It is uncommon to see any embryo at all in an ectopic, and for one to be this well preserved (and undisturbed by the prosector's knife) is quite unusual.
Even an embryo this tiny shows very distinct anatomic features, including tail, limb buds, heart (which actually protrudes from the chest), eye cups, cornea/lens, brain, and prominent segmentation into somites. The gestational sac is surrounded by a myriad of chorionic villi resembling elongate party balloons. This embryo is about five weeks old (or seven weeks in the biologically misleading but eminently practical dating system used in obstetrics).
Image by Ed Uthman/Flickr
Ectopic pregnancy
Schematic drawing of various types of ectopic pregnancy.
N=normal nidation
a=peritoneal (abdominal) pregnancy
b=cornual pregnancy
c=isthmic tubal pregnancy
d=ampullar tubal pregnancy
e=fimbric tubal pregnancy
f=ovarial pregnancy
g=cervical pregnancy
h=intramural pregnancy
Image by Hic et nunc
Ectopic pregnancy
Transvaginal ultrasonography of an ectopic pregnancy, showing the field of view in the following image.
Image by Mikael Haggstrom, from original by BruceBlaus
Pre-Embryonic Cleavages
Pre-embryonic cleavages make use of the abundant cytoplasm of the conceptus as the cells rapidly divide without changing the total volume.
Image by CNX Openstax
Pre-Embryonic Development
Ovulation, fertilization, pre-embryonic development, and implantation occur at specific locations within the female reproductive system in a time span of approximately 1 week.
Image by CNX Openstax
Development of the Embryonic Disc
Formation of the embryonic disc leaves spaces on either side that develop into the amniotic cavity and the yolk sac.
Image by CNX Openstax
Germ Layers
Formation of the three primary germ layers occurs during the first 2 weeks of development. The embryo at this stage is only a few millimeters in length.
Image by CNX Openstax
Fates of Germ Layers in Embryo
Following gastrulation of the embryo in the third week, embryonic cells of the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm begin to migrate and differentiate into the cell lineages that will give rise to mature organs and organ systems in the infant.
Image by CNX Openstax
Cross-Section of the Placenta
In the placenta, maternal and fetal blood components are conducted through the surface of the chorionic villi, but maternal and fetal bloodstreams never mix directly.
Image by CNX Openstax
Newborn
A single fertilized egg develops over the span of nine months into an infant consisting of trillions of cells and capable of surviving outside the womb. (credit: “Seattleye”/flickr.com)
Image by CNX Openstax (credit: “Seattleye”/flickr.com)
Placenta Previa
An embryo that implants too close to the opening of the cervix can lead to placenta previa, a condition in which the placenta partially or completely covers the cervix.
Image by CNX Openstax
Fallopian Tube and Ovary
Medical visualization of a cross-section of the ovary, as well as the associated fallopian tube; seen inside the cross-section are a developing follicle, corpus luteum, and corpus albicans. The ovaries are the site of egg production and maturation within the human female. Each month, an oocyte is ejected from a mature follicle to the surface of one of the two ovaries. This event is called ovulation. The finger-like projections of the fallopian tube (fimbriae) sweep up the oocyte into the duct where it awaits fertilization. The remains of the ruptured follicle in the ovary are transformed into a structure called the corpus luteum. Upon fertilization, the egg secretes a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) which signals the corpus luteum to continue progesterone secretion, thereby maintaining the thick uterine lining of the womb. If fertilization does not occur, the corpus luteum degenerates into a corpus albicans, which is essentially scar tissue and is mostly comprised of collagen.
Image by TheVisualMD
Choragon (HCG) 5000 IUs
Image by Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Prepregnancy - Stages of Pregnancy Uterus, amniotic sac and Fetal Growth 1
12 Weeks Stages of Pregnancy Uterus, amniotic sac and Fetal Growth 2
16 Weeks Stages of Pregnancy Uterus, amniotic sac and Fetal Growth 3
24 Weeks Stages of Pregnancy Uterus, amniotic sac and Fetal Growth 4
40 Weeks Stages of Pregnancy Uterus, amniotic sac and Fetal Growth 5
Prepregnancy - Stages of Pregnancy _ Uterus, amniotic sac and Fetal Growth
12 Weeks Stages of Pregnancy _ Uterus, amniotic sac and Fetal Growth_2
16 Weeks Stages of Pregnancy _ Uterus, amniotic sac and Fetal Growth_3
24 Weeks Stages of Pregnancy _ Uterus, amniotic sac and Fetal Growth_4
40 Weeks Stages of Pregnancy _ Uterus, amniotic sac and Fetal Growth_5
Interactive by TheVisualMD
How To Inject Low-Dose hCG | Fertility Treatment | CVS Specialty®
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How To Inject Pregnyl® (hCG) Subcutaneously | Fertility Treatment | CVS Specialty®
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How high should my HCG levels be at the beginning of pregnancy?
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Embryo and Fetus Development
Embryo and Fetus Development, placenta and amniotic sac
Image by TheVisualMD
Embryos at 4 to 8 Weeks
Rapid differentiation of cells and an astounding rate of growth characterize the first weeks of embryonic development. At 4 weeks, the embryo is the size of a grain of rice. Its heart has already begun to beat, and the early divisions of what will be the heart's four chambers are apparent. At 6 weeks, the embryo may be half an inch (10-14 mm) long and is starting to acquire a human face, although it is impossible to differentiate male from female embryos at this stage. An 8-week-old embryo may measure over an inch (28-30 mm) in length, and all of the body's parts-cells, tissues, organs, systems-have been differentiated.
Image by TheVisualMD
Embryo at 6 Weeks
At 6 weeks, the embryo is only about half an inch (10-14 mm) long and weighs less than a paper clip. It's possible to see the tiny embryonic heart beating. The embryo is starting to acquire a human face. The folds of the eyelids and the jaws form, and the tip of the nose can be clearly seen. Ears are developing inside and out: internally, the semicircular canals are laid down, while externally mounds of tissue erupt where the whorls of the ears will grow. The eyes become pigmented and continue their extremely complex development, as delicate eye muscles begin to form and nerve cells appear in the retina. At this point male and female fetuses look identical both internally and externally. External genital development consists of an indifferent penis, which will either form into a penis and scrotum or clitoris and labia.
Image by TheVisualMD
Positive Pregnancy Test Result
The urine is placed on the tip of the pregnancy test where it will travel up to the test region. The HCG hormone first binds to, cultured and placed, anti-HCG monoclonal antibodies with attached enzymes that will trigger a color change. Then the bonded HCG and anti-HCG antibodies will encounter another set of monoclonal anti-HCG antibodies and bind. This will cause the first color change of the test that will indicate the user is pregnant. Finally, any remaining anti-HCG monoclonal antibodies will bind to monoclonal HCG antibodies and trigger the second color change. This second color change is the control test that indicates the pregnancy test is working correctly.
Image by Melo20179
HCG and Pregnancy
HCG and Pregnancy
Image by TheVisualMD
Pregnant Woman with Fetus after Conception 0 Months three quarter view
Pregnant Woman with Fetus at 3 Months three quarter view
Pregnant Woman with Fetus at 4 Months
Pregnant Woman with Fetus at 6 Months three quarter view
Pregnant Woman with Fetus at 9 Months three quarter view
0 Months three quarter view
3 Month Pregnant Woman with Fetus
4 Month Pregnant Woman with Fetus
5 Month Pregnant Woman with Fetus
9 Month Pregnant Woman with Fetus
Interactive by TheVisualMD
hCG testing for pregnancy
Madprime
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG): hCG Levels Increase Over Time
TheVisualMD
PAPP-A: PAPP-A Screening Tests
TheVisualMD
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)
TheVisualMD
Hormonal Regulation of Growth
OpenStax College
4:34
How do pregnancy tests work? - Tien Nguyen
TED-Ed/YouTube
2:42
How Pregnancy Tests Work (Pregnancy Health Guru)
Healthguru/YouTube
1:49
How to Take a Clear Blue Pregnancy Test | Parents
Parents/YouTube
1:48
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Parents/YouTube
3:08
Focus on Health: Quad Screen
Virginia Women's Center/YouTube
Graph of the levels of estrogen, progesterone, beta-hcg throughout pregnancy
osmosis
Fallopian Tube and Ovary - Upon fertilization, the egg secretes a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) which signals the corpus luteum to continue progesterone secretion, thereby maintaining the thick uterine lining of the womb.
TheVisualMD
Sensitive content
This media may include sensitive content
Ooctye Erupting from Ovary
TheVisualMD
Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A
TheVisualMD
Tubal Pregnancy with Human Embryo (7th week of pregnancy)
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