Either day 2, 3 or 5 (see embryo transfer guidelines) following your egg retrieval, your embryos (fertilized eggs) will be transferred to your uterus. For your embryo transfer, you will spend between 1.5-3.0 hours at our facility and we will have you arrive at our center about 30 minutes before the procedure and we strongly recommend that your partner comes as well..
The actual procedure takes between 15 and 30 minutes. To make the procedure easier to perform, you should have a full bladder. We perform embryo transfers under ultrasound guidance. A full bladder helps to allow us to view the uterus with th eultrasound and it can also help to straighten out the uterus making the transfer easier to do. We suggest that you have a 16 ounce drink before coming to the office.
We understand that a full bladder can be uncomfortable. If you very uncomfortable while you are waiting for your transfer, let our staff know. The docotor would likely have you partially empty your bladder. If your uterine measurement indicates that your uterus curves backward, we may request that your bladder be only slightly filled prior to the transfer.
Before the transfer, the doctor will discuss the number of embryos to transfer. Guided by the number of embryos available for transfer, their quality and the doctor’s advice, you will decide on the number of embryos to transfer. The goal is to optimize your chance of becoming pregnant while minimizing the chance of a multiple gestation (twins, triplets, etc.) Both you and your partner should participate in this discussion or have discussed the possibilities beforehand.
Your partner can accompany you during the procedure. Once you are in the transfer room, you will be positioned on a chair similar to that used for your monitoring. A speculum is placed in the vagina and after washing the cervix, the doctor will transfer the embryos with a special catheter. You should be aware that the fluid used to prepare the cervix may leak out of your vagina and that this can continue throughout the day. You are not losing the embryos. Do not be concerned about this discharge which can be clear or pink.
Once the embryos have been transferred, the IVF lab examine the transfer catheter under a microscope to confirm that all were transferred.. If an embryo has remained in the catheter, the transfer procedure is repeated. Follwoing your transfer, you will return to the recovery area on a stretcher and be allowed to empty your bladder on a bed pan. From this point you will remain in the recovery room for an additional 30-60 minutes prior to being discharged.
Before you are discharged, a nurse will review written instructions for you to follow over the next two weeks. We suggest that you reduce your activity during the day of your embryo transfer. Any significant cleaning, cooking, or other household chores should be handed over to your partner. It is not necessary, however, to be at strict bed rest and you should not feel that you have to remain in bed during this time. More than a day of taking it easy or lying absolutely still is not likely to increase your chances of becoming pregnant but is likely to increase your anxiety and the chance of a sore back. You will also receive a copy of the discharge instructions and indtructions for your pregnancy test. We recommend that you refrain from intercourse until your pregnancy test.
Regardless of which day you have your embryo transfer, we request that you start your progesterone supplementation upon awakening in the morning following (approximately 24 hours) your egg retrieval. This should be continued until the results of the pregnancy tests are known.
Your pregnancy test is typically done 15 days after your retrieval. Depending on the results, we may request a second pregnancy test, approximately two days later.
You will remain in the recovery area for approximately 30-60 minutes after your embryo transfer prior to leaving our facility.
If there are any additional healthy embryos following the transfer, they will be attempted to be frozen according to your consent.
