symptom question

Hi.  I am 39, with a 16 year old by cecarian.  This is my first IVF procedure.  I had my egg retrieval on 3/1/11 and the dr called me back in on 3/4 for the transfer, 3 days is that normal?  There were 7 eggs retrieved, only 3 fertilized something to do with my husbands sperm, so the Dr put all 3 back in because apparently one of the eggs already started breaking down into 8 cells, whatever that means.  Is that a good or bad sign?  So now here I am on day 11 since transfer.  I have been pretty tired, no spotting, some  cramping, urinating alot, bloated and hungrier than usual (probably nerves).  Any input would be great. :)      

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
Embryos are usually transferred at either 3 or 5 days.  IF they are robust and doing well, some REs will wait until they are at the blastocyst stage on day 5, and then they may decide to transfer only one or two embryos.  If the embryo quality is not so good, the REs will often transfer sooner and more.  Embryos have a better chance of survival inside the mom than in the petri dish. Once the inside the mom, the embryos usually implant about 10 days later and at this time, they begin making hcg (the pregnancy hormone).  REs will usually do the pregnancy test on day 14 or so.  So far, I haven't found any combination of symptoms that can predict pregnancy, so, you'll just have to wait for the test!
Goobd luck!
Dr  
PS
Your RE may want to discuss ICSI (intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection) with you if this transfer isn't successful.  Just thought I'd give you a chance to read up.