Preparing a woman for embryo transfer during IVF. “Lifestyle after the transfer.

IVF Embryo Transfer

Embryo Transfer

Embryo transfer in IVF is the final step in this procedure. If successful, after the transfer, the blastocyst (4-5 day old embryo) is successfully implanted in the uterus and pregnancy occurs.

The date of the procedure is chosen by the treating reproductologist and embryologist. For transfer, the stage of development of the blastocyst must clearly correspond to the maturity of the endometrium. The readiness of the endometrium to accept the embryo is called the implantation window.

The number of embryos to be transferred is agreed with the patient. Usually this is one or two embryos. When transferring two, the success rate is higher, but the risk of multiple pregnancy increases.

Preparing for Embryo Transfer

How to prepare for IVF embryo transfer?

A woman does not need any special preparation for embryo transfer during IVF. If you are planning to transfer embryos in IVF, you will receive recommendations from your fertility specialist.

They usually include:

• take a shower the day before the procedure;
• 1-2 hours before the transfer, drink 1-2 glasses of water (such preparation for embryo transfer during IVF is necessary so that the bladder is moderately full during the manipulation);
• come to the procedure without make-up and perfumes;
• on the day of embryo transfer, it is recommended to donate blood for estradiol and progesterone. After receiving the result, be sure to contact your doctor by phone to correct the treatment;
• come to the clinic in a state of emotional peace, in a positive mood.

How to prepare for IVF embryo transfer in order to maximize the chances of pregnancy, it is better to check with your doctor. In this case, you will receive individual recommendations.

At thematic forums, many women who have already undergone embryo transfer during IVF, give recommendations on this topic very willingly. However, you should not follow all the advice in a row, there is no evidence that certain foods, exercises, mantras or spells increase the likelihood of pregnancy after IVF embryo transfer.

A special lifestyle, special diet or rituals are unlikely to affect the effectiveness of the procedure.

How is embryo transfer done in IVF?

Embryo transfer during IVF is performed without anesthesia. The IVF embryo transfer procedure is non-invasive – i.e. it does not involve prompt penetration into the body. The transfer is carried out in a certain period of time called.

A few words about how embryo transfer is carried out during IVF.

This procedure will be carried out by two doctors: an embryologist and a reproductologist. The reproduction specialist will perform the manipulation itself. Using a flexible catheter that looks like a syringe with a thin tube at the end, the doctor will inject fluid with the embryo through the vagina into the uterus. Only 5-10 minutes will last the embryo transfer during IVF.

The sensations of a woman may be somewhat unpleasant, but she will not feel pain.

Since embryo transfer during IVF is quick and painless, you should not worry too much on the eve of this procedure.

It is better to focus on the good thoughts that your embryo transfer procedure may very well end in pregnancy and a successful birth.

What happens after IVF embryo transfer?

Immediately after the transfer, a woman is usually advised to lie down for 20-30 minutes, and only then leave the clinic. Basically, all patients are prescribed hormonal support for IVF after the transfer. It is very important to strictly follow the rules and schemes for the administration of drugs.

Any special behavior after IVF embryo transfer has little effect on the likelihood of success.

If you have recently had an embryo transfer, sedentary lifestyle is not recommended. Bed rest is also not required. Air travel is permitted in most cases.

Nutrition after embryo transfer during IVF is absolutely the same as on other days. It is only advisable to avoid bad habits (smoking, alcohol), stress and excessive physical exertion.

The issue of sexuality remains separate. After embryo transfer, it is necessary to exclude all sexual contacts until the pregnancy is diagnosed. Further, your attending physician decides according to the situation: if there is a threat of termination of pregnancy, it is impossible, if the uterus is calm and the fetal egg is firmly attached, it is possible.

Nothing bad happens after IVF embryo transfer if you have a high physical activity and go to work. Nutrition after embryo transfer during IVF does not affect the chances of pregnancy. As well as other factors: drinking regime, employment at work, sleep and rest, behavior.

After embryo transfer during IVF, all that is required of you is to tune in to a positive result and follow all the doctor's recommendations. Only hormonal support is important during IVF after replanting, so you must strictly follow all the appointments of a reproductologist.

After 2 weeks, you will be tested for hCG, which will determine whether the pregnancy has occurred. Ultrasound after embryo replanting during IVF is performed another week later. It makes it possible to see the presence of a fetal egg in the uterus, and already at the next ultrasound (in 7-10 days) to reliably establish pregnancy by the fetal heartbeat.

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Every woman who has undergone a huge amount of research and manipulation to diagnose the causes, the procedure of stimulation and puncture, is anxiously waiting for the day "X" - embryo replanting. Each of these patients asks herself the question - how to live these days? What can I do to help get pregnant?

Feelings and well-being of a woman after replanting embryos

In modern reproductive medicine, one or two, much less often three, embryos are transferred into the uterine cavity. Embryos can be of different ages - from two to five days. How many and which embryos to transfer, the doctor decides, based on the woman's history, the results of previous IVF attempts and the quality of the embryos themselves.

As a rule, the replanting procedure is simple and painless. After the procedure, the woman is left in a horizontal position for an hour or two, although modern research suggests that there is no need for such precautions. The embryo is not a ball and cannot roll out of the uterine cavity. Then the woman goes home to wait for the IVF result, always with a list of appointments and recommendations of the reproductologist. As a rule, in the CIS countries, this period of time involves the provision sick leave: the patient does not go to work and is at home. There are no such concessions in the West and the USA. Let's go through the main list of complaints and questions that arise after the embryo transfer procedure:

• Discharge from the genital tract. As a rule, during the support period of the luteal phase of the cycle, a woman takes progesterone preparations, many of which involve the vaginal route of administration. The main vaginal discharge will be the remains of suppositories or capsules - white or yellowish flakes. A small amount of mucus may appear. With abundant mucous or spotting spotting, you should urgently contact your doctor to adjust the doses of progesterone or add estrogen, etamsylate, or antispasmodics.
• Temperature. Some fluctuations in body temperature due to hormonal stress on the body are acceptable. Even in many cases of physiologically occurring independent pregnancy, women have a subfebrile temperature of 37-37.3 degrees. If the temperature rises above these figures, as well as additional complaints indicating an infectious process, an urgent call to the doctor is necessary. You may need to take a blood test or include antipyretic drugs in the regimen.
• Pain sensations. After intrauterine manipulation of embryo transfer, there are often pulling pains and discomfort in the lower abdomen. This issue is discussed in advance at the doctor's appointment. The list of recommendations usually includes magnesium preparations and antispasmodics to eliminate unpleasant symptoms.
• Bloating, diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, frequent urge to urinate. Oddly enough, a fairly common complaint of patients. The explanations for these processes are quite logical. The bowel loops and the bladder are closely adjacent to the uterus and ovaries in the small pelvis. Enlarged from stimulation, the ovaries and uterus directly press and irritate the neighbors. The second reason for such discomfort is progesterone preparations, which have a relaxing effect not only on the wall of the uterus, but also on the intestines and bladder. Compliance with a diet, a good drinking regimen and taking activated charcoal relieves these manifestations a little.
• In a separate line, I would like to make such a popular complaint or, rather, a joyful observation. Many patients, carefully listening to themselves these days, find "movements" or "pulsations" in the lower abdomen. Unfortunately, these sensations are not . Displaced pelvic organs, swollen intestines and pulsation of the abdominal aorta give the patient such a picture. A woman will hear real fetal movements no earlier than 17-20 weeks of pregnancy.

Not a single IVF clinic patient will go home after embryo transfer without a detailed list of recommendations. Usually recommendations take several sheets of printed text and answer the woman to all possible questions. Also in the list of prescriptions, drugs and schemes from the application are described in detail. As a rule, at the end of the recommendation part there is a phone number by which the patient can contact with questions, if any do arise. I would like to list the main points of standard recommendations:

1. Physical rest. This does not mean that you need to lie in bed for a week. You can live a normal life, just limit the load a little. You should not run cross-country, walk with heavy bags from the store or move furniture.
2. Sexual rest. In nature, there are no medical studies linking unsuccessful IVF attempts and sexual life, so most gynecologists adhere to the idea that it is worth abstaining from sexual activity for a long period after replanting.
3. Strict adherence to the regimen of taking drugs and timely delivery of the necessary tests, for example, the level of estrogen, progesterone or ultrasound - control.
4. Dieting, which I would like to talk about in a little more detail.

Feeding a woman after embryo transfer

As already mentioned, patients after embryo transfer often complain of problems with the gastrointestinal tract. The so-called anti-gas diet will help solve these delicate problems:

1. Adequate drinking regime. Refusal of sugary, carbonated drinks, strong coffee or tea. Preference is given to clean drinking water and green tea.
2. Frequent fractional meals: 5-6 times a day in portions the size of your fist.
3. Restriction of gas-producing products. These include spicy, flour, sweets, legumes, cabbage, mushrooms, zucchini, fresh herbs, bread, milk, red meat in large quantities.
4. Prefer cereals, dairy products, cottage cheese, chicken fillet, fish, weak broths, potatoes, carrots, beets.
5. Food to steam, stew or bake. Avoid frying or deep frying.

As a medical aid for bloating and diarrhea, you can take activated charcoal, simethicone preparations, a decoction of chamomile, mint or lemon balm.

Alexandra Pechkovskaya, obstetrician-gynecologist, specially for website

Useful video:

Life after an embryo transfer, during the time before a pregnancy test, is an extremely responsible period for a married couple, and every woman in such a situation should do everything necessary to increase the chances of pregnancy. This article provides recommendations for women who decide on IVF.

The stage of waiting for pregnancy after embryo transfer after IVF is extremely emotionally intense. And, above all, a woman is advised to distract from these thoughts and try, if possible, to receive positive emotions. The family should understand how necessary and important psychological support is for a woman after embryo transfer and try to provide it. If, nevertheless, you are nervous after embryo transfer, your sleep is disturbed, your mood worsens, use simple sedatives: herbal sedatives, motherwort, valerian in any form. Other sedatives should be discussed with your doctor.

As a rule, life after embryo transfer should proceed with some restrictions, and the regimen after embryo transfer should be as gentle as possible:

• lead a calm, sedentary lifestyle after embryo transfer;
• on the first day after embryo transfer after IVF, spend in bed, do not take a bath, shower;
• avoid any physical activity (housework, physical education, sports);
• do not lift weights and try not to bend over;
• do not drive;
• walks in the fresh air for 20-30 minutes are possible;
• avoid hypothermia and overheating (sauna, hot bath);
• observe sexual rest;
• sleep at least 8 hours a day is recommended;
• wear loose clothing. Jeans, tight trousers are undesirable;
• balanced nutrition: use natural products without preservatives, protein-rich food is preferable - lean meat, natural fish, poultry, fresh broths;
• drink plenty of water, at least 2.5 liters per day (natural juices, non-carbonated mineral water, compotes, green tea);
• fermented milk products (kefir, yogurt, bifilife, matsoni) - without restrictions;
• eat more fruits and vegetables containing fiber: apples, apricots, plums, prunes, zucchini, beets, cucumbers, tomatoes, salads with vegetable oil;
• beans, peas, sauerkraut, smoked meats, mushrooms are undesirable;
• give up flour and sweets (cakes, buns, cakes, chocolate);
• avoid contact with patients and being in public places.

Implantation of the embryo after the transfer takes place within the first 40 hours and during this period it is necessary to be especially attentive to all the recommendations of your doctor.

Are there any sensations after embryo transfer?

Many patients are interested in the question: should there be any pronounced changes in the body, and what are the sensations after embryo transfer? It should be disappointing, since in the majority of patients there are no specific sensations after embryo transfer.

It is impossible to feel the moment of implantation. Many patients during this period look for various subjective signs of pregnancy or its absence. This should not be done, because none of the manifestations - dizziness, nausea, drowsiness, breast swelling, absence of premenstrual phenomena - are not objective indicators and arguments for success or failure in this process, as well as any pregnancy test after embryo transfer. Wait 14 days after the transfer when you will be tested after embryo transfer for hCG. The state of health after embryo transfer may be different, depending on the individual characteristics of the woman's body and psychological state, but most often the state of health is normal.

If the implantation of the embryo after the transfer was successful and pregnancy occurred, then as it develops, signs of pregnancy appear. In general, the signs of pregnancy after an embryo transfer are not much different from the symptoms of a pregnancy that has occurred. naturally. As a rule, it is recommended to measure body temperature daily after embryo transfer and measure basal body temperature. Body temperature after embryo transfer is usually within normal limits. At the same time, many women have an increased basal temperature after embryo transfer. This is a normal phenomenon, which is a consequence of the restructuring of the body. However, if within 3 days the basal temperature is below 37 C, you should consult your doctor.

Hormonal support after embryo transfer

In some patients, the stomach pulls after embryo transfer, and there are scanty (spotting) bleeding. Most often this is associated with hormonal support early pregnancy. As a rule, after embryo transfer, preparations containing progesterone (Dufaston, Utrozhestan, micronized progesterone) are prescribed to maintain the function of the corpus luteum. The introduction of progesterone preparations after embryo transfer is carried out according to different schemes, and the dosage is selected individually, depending on the state of the endometrium and the level of endogenous hormone synthesis (control over time). In case of severe pulling pains, you should consult a doctor, take it yourself medications it is forbidden.

Pregnancy diagnostics

The hCG test after embryo transfer is done on the 14th day. An analysis of blood serum for hCG allows you to determine the level of the hormone ( chorionic gonadotropin) secreted by the embryo during pregnancy. To be detected, this hormone must reach a certain level. The hormone level is measured in special units - (mU / ml, mIU / ml) per 1 ml of blood plasma. Hormone readings below 5 mU/mL are negative, while those above 25 mU/mL are positive for pregnancy.

However, the test for hCG after embryo transfer is not a reliable diagnostic sign and it is desirable to use it for diagnosis in combination with ultrasound. This method is more often used not so much to determine pregnancy, but for its development (hCG in dynamics), as well as for the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy.

The table shows hCG values ​​after embryo transfer

A doubling of hCG levels in 85% of pregnant women occurs every 48-72 hours, but the increase in the hormone level may be slower and this does not mean that the pregnancy does not progress, or the woman will have an unhealthy child. The level of hCG during the first four weeks after embryo transfer increases rapidly, doubling every 2 days (quantitative growth for the first 4 weeks is 2.2 + 0.8 per day). However, after 6-7 weeks of pregnancy, its growth slows down slightly, and doubling takes up to 3.5-4 days. After 9-10 weeks, hCG levels decrease. Menstruation after embryo transfer in the absence of pregnancy begins after a few days, and you should stop taking hormonal drugs.

Ultrasound for diagnosing pregnancy

In modern methods of ultrasound diagnostics, doctors take into account the level of hCG in the blood serum to diagnose pregnancy. A fertilized egg can only be detected when hCG level not lower than 1000-2000 mU / ml, respectively, it is recommended to conduct an ultrasound scan with hCG levels of at least 2000 mU / ml, which corresponds to 21-22 days of pregnancy. Ultrasound at such an early stage is very important in terms of diagnosing multiple and ectopic pregnancies. Ectopic tubal pregnancy after IVF can occur in 2-3% of pregnancies. To diagnose pregnancy, it is desirable to use several diagnostic methods.

In most cases, after the transfer procedure in the IV protocol has been carried out, the mother's health status does not undergo significant changes. However, this should not mislead you: the processes that support the life of the embryo and provide it with the ability to attach to the uterine wall are still carried out continuously, without stopping for a minute. That is why today we will try to focus your attention on the rules of conduct for women in respect of whom embryo transfer was carried out during the IVF procedure. The recommendations will mainly be related to maintaining both the physical and psychological health of a pregnant woman. And, although at first glance they may seem quite simple, some of them should be especially focused on. You don’t need to do anything special, you just need to change your lifestyle a little.

The procedure for transferring an embryo into the uterus with IVF is quite simple and takes no more than a few minutes. Directly on the day of the transfer, a blood test for progesterone and estradiol is prescribed - the data obtained with its help will be useful in the near future, namely, during the maintenance of pregnancy. However, it will be possible to give a final answer to whether the embryo has “taken root” no earlier than two weeks after the end of the procedure.
Among the most important indicators that need to be monitored during the IVF protocol is the thickness of the endometrium. It is determined by ultrasound and shows how the ovary of a pregnant woman functions. This is due to the fact that stimulation of the ovaries often leads to the formation of cysts in place of the follicles. Despite the fact that this condition in itself is almost inevitable, it can develop into ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, which is one of the complications of IVF.
In order to avoid the development of this syndrome, within two weeks after the IVF procedure, a woman should pay attention to early signs complications. These mainly include:

• bloating;
• more pronounced swelling;
• pain in the uterus and ovary;
• visual impairment (decrease in image clarity, the appearance of "flies" before the eyes);
• unexplained headache

If you find these symptoms in yourself, you should immediately see a doctor. Remember that any violation is easier to correct, being detected at an early stage of development. This is also true for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

In the future, blood sampling for hormones will be carried out on the 14th day after the transfer. However, in some cases, the procedure can be carried out more often.
Until 14 days have passed since the day of embryo transfer, pregnancy tests, as well as self-monitoring of pregnancy symptoms, will not be informative and will hardly allow you to get information about your condition. In rare cases, a positive test after IVF transplantation may be an indicator that the fetus is developing safely and no complications have been identified after IVF transplantation. However, it is at this time that it is extremely important to monitor your health as carefully as possible.

Tips for women undergoing embryo transfer

Recommendations after replanting are quite simple. However, both the successful development of the embryo and the health of the woman as a whole depend on the quality of their observance.
1. Is physical activity allowed after replanting? What can you do after the transfer? It is almost impossible to give a definite answer to this question. Despite the fact that significant physical activity is highly undesirable for a woman after an embryo transfer, it is also unnecessary to completely deprive herself of physical activity. A reasonable compromise in this situation can be quiet walks (preferably in nature) and the maximum pastime in the fresh air. This will greatly contribute to the access to the tissues of the embryo of oxygen on the one hand, on the other hand, it will not overwork the woman, jeopardizing the course of her pregnancy.
2. Maintaining mental balance and psychological well-being is an equally important condition for the successful course of pregnancy. That is why the protection of a woman from stressful situations is also displayed as a priority task not only at the stage after embryo replanting, but also in the future.
3. Refusal of bad habits (smoking, alcoholism, etc.).
4. The nutrition of a woman during eco should be as diverse as possible. It is also advisable to limit salt intake, as well as drink at least 1-1.5 liters of water per day (except for mineral water and gas-forming juices). If possible, limit the consumption of foods that can cause allergic reactions. Compliance with diets and therapeutic starvation during this period is unacceptable due to the fact that this can provoke an additional burden on the body. Otherwise, dietary restrictions can be introduced by a doctor with an increased threat of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Remember, meals should be five times a day.
5. Since the period of waiting for the result of replanting is associated with considerable excitement for a woman, many have sleep disturbances and neuroses at this time. Should I use sedatives? Of course, simple herbal preparations or simple sedatives are unlikely to harm the health of a pregnant woman. However, before using them, consult your doctor, study all the contraindications and side effects of using drugs.
6. After replanting the embryo, it is necessary to give due time to rest: the duration of sleep should be at least 8 hours a day. It is also desirable to allocate time for rest and during the day. The mode of work and rest should also be strictly optimized.
7. Limit contact with sick people to avoid infection. Remember that the use of strong antibiotics during pregnancy is highly undesirable, and any disease can adversely affect the health of the woman herself, as well as provoke pathologies in the development of the child.
8. Limit the use of hot baths or cold showers.

When is the best time to cancel support?

The duration of the support period after IVF and the time of its cancellation are determined strictly individually and depend on the quality of the effect of drugs on the body, as well as the state of health of the woman. Most often, support is canceled when the woman's attending physician notes a steady positive trend, which allows us to draw conclusions that there is no need to take medications. Do not cancel the support drugs in the eco protocol on your own in any case, this can not be done categorically!
The use of any drugs in the future will be determined by the characteristics of the course of pregnancy, as well as the development of the embryo.