Typically, pregnancy testing is done 10–16 days after the embryo transfer, with over half of the patients showing signs of pregnancy—sometimes even more. However, many people ask: “What HCG level is considered safe?”

HCG levels after the transfer depend on the following:

  1. Timing of the Test:
    HCG levels are related to the number of days since the transfer. Testing on day 10 versus day 16 will yield different results.
  2. Embryo Stage:
    The HCG level also varies depending on whether a blastocyst or cleavage-stage embryo was transferred.
  3. HCG Injections:
    If intramuscular HCG injections were given after the transfer, they can affect test results for up to 7 days. Experienced doctors can calculate the extent of this influence based on the timing and dosage of the injection.

Typically:

  • On day 12, HCG levels above 100 U/L are considered ideal.
  • On day 16, levels above 300 U/L are preferred.

However, exceptions exist:

  • In one case, a patient had an HCG level of only 8 U/L on day 12 and still gave birth to a healthy child.
  • Another patient’s HCG level was around 30 U/L on day 12, and the pregnancy proceeded normally.
  • Conversely, an HCG level of 300 U/L on day 10 resulted in a biochemical pregnancy, 900 U/L led to embryonic arrest, and 1,000 U/L indicated an ectopic pregnancy.

These adverse outcomes are rare, occurring in 1%–5% of cases, similar to natural pregnancies.

As long as you follow your doctor’s instructions and undergo regular monitoring, any potential issues can be identified and addressed promptly. There is no need to overly worry about imagined dangers.