The embryo transfer is the last step in In vitro fertilisation, be it IVF or IVF with egg donation. The embryo is introduced into the uterine cavity where, if all goes well, it will implant and continue its development.
Several considerations exist regarding the measures to be taken to increase the chances of implantation, reduce the possible secondary effects and encourage a healthy pregnancy.
The waiting of two weeks between the embryo transfer and the pregnancy test is the time to be extra careful. Fertility treatments tend to cause stress in patients, which adds up to the accelerated rhythm of daily life. Excessive stress can have a negative effect on fertility and well-being in general. You can go back to your normal life, but you should try to relax more.
Studies support the positive effect of a healthy diet when trying to become pregnant and during pregnancy, therefore, the general advice is to follow a healthy diet and lifestyle after the embryo transfer. Avoid products like non-pasteurised cheese and fish associated with an increased level of heavy metals, also raw meats. It is also important to consume a balanced amount of essential nutrients. Your gynecologist will recommend what nutritional supplements to take.
Maintain a good hydration level in your body. Drink sufficient water and skip any type of sugary drinks, alcohol and excessive caffeine.
It is advisable to abstain from sexual relationships during this period. Indeed, sex may not affect the embryo and its implantation, but it can lead to uterine contractions, therefore, it is inadvisable.
In normal circumstances, full rest in bed is unnecessary, but high-impact sports are to be avoided. You can return to your normal life, but remember to take it easy, rest sufficiently and relax.
Hot baths, saunas, steam baths and any other activity that increases corporal temperatures significantly are not recommended too.
You may have some light spotting right after the embryo transfer and during the implantation. Some women may even experience pain similar to menstruation pain or feel swollen. These symptoms are possible and have no relation to the success or failure of implantation. Besides, these symptoms can indicate a successful process.
Nevertheless, if you experience significant bleeding, intense pain or any other symptom that you do not consider to be normal, do not hesitate to contact your gynecologist.
If you did not experience any of these symptoms, do not worry either. A substantial number of women never have these symptoms after the embryo transfer. The positive signals are difficult to distinguish from the premenstrual symptoms, so it is better to relax and not interpret them as one or the other.
In summary…
Fertility treatment can be very stressful, and when we reach the final phase, our nerves tend to be very sensitive. It is natural to desire to do everything possible to ensure that the process will be successful, but the best way to achieve this is to concentrate on yourself: eat healthily, avoid toxic substances (alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, etc.) and situations which cause additional stress, do light and soft exercises. It is unnecessary to stay in the bed all time, but you must be careful with yourself both physically and emotionally.
And remember that if the result is not the one you expected – it is not your fault, nor did you do anything wrong. An infinity of factors can affect the result of treatment, and most of them escape your control.
Sonia Lumbreras
Nursing department
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