Schedule a Consultation!
Fill out this short form below and someone from our staff will call you to schedule your consultation. Thank you!
There are so many milestones in the journey of fertility and so many moments that collectively lead you to your ultimate dream of having a baby. One of the most notable milestones is the embryo transfer, where one or more of the embryos that have been fertilized in the laboratory is transferred into the woman’s uterus in hopes that the little baby embryo will successfully attach to the uterine wall. This is called a successful implantation.
As a hopeful parent to be, you’ll probably be sitting on the edge of seat after the embryo transfer, waiting and waiting to see whether you’ll be one step closer to the end of the fertility process and one step closer to your dream of starting a family. We’re here with some advice on what to expect and how you can make your chances of pregnancy even better during this portion of your fertility journey.
What to Expect
Before the embryo transfer, your doctor will run a number of tests including examinations of hormone levels, a male semen analysis, and transvaginal scan of your reproductive organs. They will also make sure you don’t have certain conditions like fluid in your follicles that can hinder the process.
During the procedure, your doctor will give you a sedative (no anesthetic needed) to help you relax your uterine muscles. Then, the doctor will retrieve the embryo with a catheter and insert it into your uterus through the vagina. The entire procedure takes no more than 5 to 10 minutes with another 10 minutes of downtime after the transfer.
Now for the tough part—the two-week wait!
Tips for the Waiting Period
Keeping yourself busy but relaxed with light activity during the waiting period is a healthy way to spend your time. It’s actually not recommended to stay in bed and rest the whole time—after all, you’ll want to fill the space with activities you enjoy to keep your mind from fixating. Go out for lunch with a friend or take a walk around your neighborhood. Get an acupuncture treatment (as this has been shown to be beneficial in the overall process). Perhaps even pick up a fun, engaging novel to lose yourself in.
Whether you want to take a couple of weeks off work or not depends on how strenuous or fast-paced your job is. Continue choosing healthy habits such as minimizing stress, drinking moderate amounts of coffee, and staying away from alcohol. All of these recommendations will help you optimize your chances of a successful implantation after the embryo transfer!
Are you ready to learn more about an embryo transfer and what it means for your fertility journey? Get in touch with one of our fertility specialists at ACRM today by clicking here.