After IVF implantation, the most reliable time to test for pregnancy is typically around 7 to 14 days after the embryo transfer. This corresponds to about 3 to 4 days after implantation starts when the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), which pregnancy tests detect, has risen to a detectable level. Home pregnancy tests might show results as early as 1 to 2 days after implantation if they are very sensitive, but testing too early can lead to false negatives. Most fertility clinics recommend waiting about 10 to 14 days post-transfer for the most accurate results, often confirmed by blood tests at the clinic around 7 to 9 days after transfer. Blood tests can detect lower levels of hCG earlier than home urine tests. Implantation itself usually occurs 1 to 5 days after the embryo transfer, depending on whether it's a day 3 or day 5 transfer. Testing immediately after implantation is not reliable because hCG levels are initially too low to detect.
