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HCG Full Form in IVF: Role, Importance & What It Means for Pregnancy

Dr. Pujil Gulati, IVF Specialist with over 13 years of experience in Assisted Reproductive Techniques BabyBloom IVF Gurgaon

April 17, 2025

🧪 What is HCG?

HCG Full Form: Human Chorionic Gonadotropin

HCG is a hormone. Your body makes this hormone when you are pregnant. In IVF treatment, doctors use HCG to help eggs grow and release at the right time.

🌱 Why is HCG Important in IVF?

Main Point: Role of HCG in IVF

In IVF (In Vitro Fertilization), doctors take eggs from a woman’s body. To make these eggs ready, they give HCG injection. This helps the eggs become mature and ready for fertilization.

✅ HCG helps in:

Making the eggs grow fully
Releasing the egg from the ovary
Helping embryo stick inside the uterus
Supporting early pregnancy (Read More :- Beta HCG Test in Hindi: जानें इसका महत्व, प्रक्रिया और रिजल्ट का मतलब)

🩺 How is HCG Given in IVF?

Main Point: How HCG is Used

Doctors give HCG injection to the woman.
This is usually done 36 hours before egg retrieval.
Timing is very important. If injection is given too early or too late, it may not work.

📅 When is HCG Given?

Main Point: Timing of HCG

Given when the eggs are almost ready.
Usually between day 10 to 14 of the IVF cycle.
Doctor checks egg size using ultrasound.
When egg size is right (around 18-20 mm), HCG is given.

👶 What Happens After HCG Injection?

Main Point: What HCG Does in the Body

It tells the ovaries to release the eggs.
Doctors collect the eggs 34 to 36 hours later.
Then they mix sperm and eggs in the lab to form embryos.

🧬 HCG and Embryo Implantation

Main Point: Importance for Pregnancy

After embryo is put in the uterus, your body needs natural HCG to support early pregnancy.

If embryo attaches to uterus, body starts making HCG naturally.
High levels of HCG mean a good chance of pregnancy.
HCG also supports the corpus luteum, which makes progesterone (another hormone needed for pregnancy).

🧪 HCG Blood Test – What It Tells

Main Point: HCG Level Testing

About 10–14 days after embryo transfer, a blood test is done to check HCG levels.

✅ If HCG is:

Above 25 mIU/mL – It usually means you are pregnant.
Less than 5 mIU/mL – Not pregnant.
Between 5 to 25 – Maybe early pregnancy, test again after a few days.

📊 Normal HCG Levels After IVF

Days After Transfer	Expected HCG Level (mIU/mL)
Day 10	25 – 100
Day 14	100 – 1,000
Day 21	1,000 – 5,000

⚠️ When HCG Levels Are Low

Main Point: Low HCG Meaning

Could be a sign of failed pregnancy.
Could be ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside uterus).
Doctor may repeat the test after 2 days to confirm.

🙋‍♀️ Does High HCG Always Mean Pregnancy is Safe?

Not always.

Very high HCG may mean twins or more babies.
Sometimes it can be a sign of molar pregnancy (abnormal).
That’s why regular doctor checkups are important.

🌟 Summary – Simple Words

Point	What It Means
HCG Full Form	Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
Given When	36 hours before egg pickup
Helps With	Egg growth, release & pregnancy support
Test After IVF	Done after 10–14 days
High HCG Means	Good chance of pregnancy

❓FAQs About HCG in IVF

Q1. What is HCG used for in IVF?
➡️ It helps eggs grow and release. It also supports pregnancy.

Q2. Is HCG always needed in IVF?
➡️ Yes, it is very important for egg retrieval and embryo implantation.

Q3. How soon does HCG show pregnancy?
➡️ Usually in 10–14 days after embryo transfer.

Q4. Is HCG injection painful?
➡️ It may cause a small sting like other injections, but it’s safe.

Q5. Can HCG tell me if my IVF worked?
➡️ Yes! HCG blood test tells if you are pregnant after IVF.