Embryo Transfer is the process in IVF in which the embryo is transferred to the uterus, and a positive pregnancy test would bring joy to the couple & infertility doctor.
After improving the quality & quantity of eggs using medications and injections, retrieving the best quality eggs & sperm, fertilization of eggs & sperms in a lab, and selecting the best embryos by an embryologist, the embryo transfer day finally comes when the selected embryo would be implanted into the uterus. After the embryo transfer, you have to wait for two weeks to check if the IVF has been successful using a pregnancy test.
The time between embryo transfer and pregnancy test is considered to be very long by couples trying to conceive through IVF, as they are very eager to know if the IVF treatment has been a success. Since the two-week wait can be slightly hard as couples can’t wait to know the results of the IVF treatment, they may watch out for positive signs after embryo transfer. Some people like to regularly check if they’re pregnant or not by googling things like “7 days after embryo transfer symptoms”, while others may do so more frequently with google searches that look like “after embryo transfer day by day symptoms”. While it’s understandable to be eager to know the results of the IVF cycle, it is also important to understand that the only reliable way of telling if the IVF treatment was successful or not is through taking a pregnancy test.
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How is the Embryo Transfer Done
The embryo transfer procedure is done at the doctor’s clinic.
The patient is explained about the procedure so that they know what would happen during the embryo transfer. A speculum is inserted into the vagina (a medical device that allows your doctor to see the vagina and the cervix, and keeps the vaginal walls open) and the doctor then uses a long, thin catheter that passes through the cervix into the uterus to transfer the embryo with some fluids. This is done with the help of ultrasound for increased accuracy.
The procedure usually does not require any sedatives but you may feel mild discomfort due to the speculum or due to a full bladder (which is required for the ultrasound).If you have any apprehensions about the speculum feeling uncomfortable, you can discuss it with your doctor so that they can help you feel more comfortable about it. Some people may feel it’s similar to a pap smear or a pelvic exam, and the procedure is successfully done within a few minutes. The doctor would recommend certain precautions after the embryo transfer and a few things to keep in mind. You’ll be returning to the infertility doctor’s clinic approximately two weeks later for a pregnancy test to confirm if the IVF cycle has been successful.
Common Signs & Symptoms After Embryo Transfer
Some signs and symptoms occur in people who have undergone embryo transfer. It is common to observe body changes after embryo transfer that can have numerous underlying causes.
Some of these signs and symptoms are –
- Bleeding or Spotting – Spotting can occur due to the implantation of the embryo in the lining of the uterus, or it could be caused due to hormones. Your doctor would brief you about spotting, and if you feel your spotting is unusual or heavy, you must consult your doctor.
- Cramping – Slight cramping may be due to a successful embryo transfer, hormones such as progesterone, or due to the fact that you had a pelvic procedure.
- Sore Breasts – A very common pregnancy sign, but these can also be caused due to the medications you have taken during the IVF treatment.
- Tiredness and Fatigue – These symptoms are usually associated with pregnancy, but may also be due to the hormones you’ve been prescribed during IVF.
- Nausea – Pregnancy-related nausea usually occurs the second month of pregnancy onwards. If you experience severe nausea, talk to your doctor immediately.
- Bloating – Increased progesterone, during pregnancy or due to IVF treatment can cause bloating around your belly.
- Changes in Vaginal Discharge – This can be due to the use of vaginal suppositories (medicines inserted in the vagina), gels, or tablets. An increase in discharge during pregnancy is also observed. If you experience strong smelling discharge, burning, stinging, pain or heavy discharge discuss it with your doctor immediately.
- Increased frequency of urination – If caused due to pregnancy, it is due to an increase in hormones such as Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) and progesterone. If accompanied by other symptoms such as painful urination, bleeding, fever, nausea, or vomiting it may be due to a Urinary Tract Infection. If you experience this symptom, discuss it with your doctor.
- Missed Period – This is often the first pregnancy sign, and might indicate pregnancy.
It is also possible that you have no symptoms after embryo transfer. It is important to remember that these symptoms don’t necessarily mean a pregnancy, and neither should the absence of these symptoms worry you. You need to take the pregnancy test to know if the IVF treatment has been successful, so try not to stress too much about signs that IVF has worked.
Can you Have Sex Night Before Embryo Transfer?
It is important to direct this question toward your fertility doctor as they would be able to tell you if it is safe for you to have sex night before embryo transfer.
What Should You Do After the Embryo Transfer?
You may be tempted to read up about body changes after embryo transfer, 7 days after embryo transfer symptoms, and after embryo transfer day-by-day symptoms. However, these signs and symptoms are generic and can be caused due to medications or stress. It is important to distract yourself from constant googling about IVF, and try and relax till it’s time to take the pregnancy test at the doctor’s clinic. You should focus on boosting your overall health, and take time out to indulge in activities that help you relax and reduce stress.
- Get adequate sleep and rest.
- Keep consuming the medications as prescribed by your doctor. Never change your medicines on your own.
- Eat supplements as prescribed. Your doctor may have prescribed you folic acid supplements. Never take any supplements on your own without consulting the doctor.
- Avoid caffeine, and stay away from alcohol and cigarettes, tobacco, and any similar substance.
- Follow your doctor’s advice regarding physical activity and intercourse.
- Eat a healthy and nutrient-dense diet. A dietician can help you make a meal plan that’s as per your eating habits, contains a wide range of foods, and is easy to follow.
- Don’t consume foods that can be dangerous during pregnancy such as unpasteurized dairy and raw food.
- Get emotional support from your spouse, friends, and family. If needed, a therapist can also help you stay relaxed during the period before the pregnancy test. A support group may help too.
- Avoid vigorous exercise and focus on mild activities that your doctor recommends.
These measures can help you stay calm and focused till the day of the pregnancy test. It’s important to be cautious, but at the same time don’t worry yourself too much as that can impact your mood and emotional health. Follow your doctor’s advice about do’s & don’ts, and never try any new diet or workout plan before consulting your doctor when you’re trying to conceive through IVF.
Whenever in doubt about anything related to your embryo transfer, consult your doctor.
An Empathetic Fertility Clinic Makes IVF Easier
As with any medical procedure, IVF treatment requires physical, emotional, and financial preparation to have a smooth IVF cycle. This is because IVF results can be maximized if you’re in optimal health, keep yourself optimistic and stress-free, and are prepared for the finances involved and keep a buffer in your budget as sometimes more than the planned medications or treatments might be needed.
An empathetic and transparent IVF clinic would tell you about all this so that you can know what to expect from your IVF cycle. Additionally, your infertility doctor may recommend you to freeze embryos so that you can get a Frozen Embryo Transfer done if the first IVF cycle fails, without having to go through the entire treatment process (Ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, sperm retrieval, ferilization, and embryo selection) again. This significantly brings down the cost of subsequent IVF cycles.
Grace Fertility treats every patient with a customized & individualized approach. Dr. Reubina, the founding MD of Grace Fertility understands that the IVF journey is different for every couple, and so should be their treatment path. Customizations are made and a holistic approach to fertility is preferred. The patients are made aware of the expectations from their treatments, and financial assistance is provided to make this treatment affordable. The staff at Grace Fertility comes with years of experience, and their expertise combined with state-of-the-art labs, advanced technology, and latest technologies makes Grace Fertility a highly trusted and the best IVF center in Gurgaon and Jammu. Every patient is given empathetic care, support, and guidance so that they feel confident to tread on the journey to parenthood. Book your free consultation today and start your IVF journey.