hCG Levels After Embryo Implantation: What to Expect

Question
I am 47, have 2 daughters (24 & 19), had IVF transfer on April 10th, 2004.

It has been a week since we had our 2 embryos tranferred and I'm curious as to when hCG will actully show up in a pregnancy test if I am pregnant.
The progestrone and estrogen I'm on causes many pregnancy symptoms that I know I cannot rely on. I am to have a blood test next week, Friday, but am anxious to know! If the embryos didn't implant, would there have been some indication? I am a small woman, and I could swear there is some 'poochiness' that wasn't there before - could this be the progestrone?

Thank you - I'm so hoping to have twins in 9 months!
Ruthanne

Answer
It will take at least 14 days to get a positive HCG value after implantation of the embryos. Depending on the test performed, the earliest that a pregnancy can be diagnosed after implantation is 10 days. I would wait to take the blood test next week at the time it is already scheduled. That way you will not have any doubts if you do the test too early and it is negative. Be patient. Good Luck.