How safe is the embryo after its transfer in the uterus?

Posted by Dr. Manika Khanna
3
May 2, 2017
186 Views
Image

A typical IVF treatment cycle involves the culture of embryo(s) in the lab by fertilizing eggs with sperms. After being cultured for a certain period of time, the viable embryos are transferred in the uterus for implantation. The patient has to wait for a period of two weeks to know whether the embryo has implanted successfully in the uterus. The safety of the embryo is the biggest concern during this time.

The fear that plagues the patient is that the embryo could fall out of the uterus. Activities like standing up, peeing, sneezing, coughing, having sex, and walking may seem to be dangerous for the embryo. Fortunately, the fear is totally baseless, and the embryo is absolutely safe after the transfer. To understand this better, it is important to delve deeper into the process that takes place after the embryo transfer.

Embryo transfer and after….

A lab cultured embryo is allowed to grow to day 3 or day 5, depending upon the protocol followed by the IVF clinic in Delhi. These mature embryo(s) are then transferred into the uterus so that they can implant themselves therein. The transfer is done using a soft, thin catheter under ultrasound guidance. The process is carried out with full bladder to facilitate ultrasound scanning. The expertise of the embryologist and IVF specialist matters a great deal to make the embryo transfer a success.

Once done with the transfer, the patient is asked to rest for an hour. Since her bladder would be probably full, she would need to urinate after that. The idea seems scary, considering that urinating might cause the embryo to come out too. But there is nothing to be worried out as urination or continuing with routine activities would do no harm to the embryo. However, most of the IVF clinics in Delhi would ask the patient to abstain from lifting heavy objects and doing strenuous physical activities. These precautions are to be taken during the entire 2 week wait period till the pregnancy is confirmed.

Can the embryo fall out of the uterus after the transfer?

A patient invests a lot of effort and money in an IVF treatment cycle. Therefore, she would definitely want to do everything possible to ensure its success. It is logical to think that the embryo might roll and fall out of the uterine cavity if she gets up after the transfer. For this reason, she would want to take bed rest to make sure that the embryo sticks around. But it is important to understand that nothing can be done to chance the fate of the embryo after its transfer. It will be implanted if it is meant to, even if the woman stands and moves around.

It is also important to understand that the embryo gets a snug fit inside the uterus. The uterus is a muscular organ, with its wall close to each other. So there is no reason for an embryo placed therein to get dislodged due to physical movement. The uterus gets enlarged only when the embryo grow within it. This is something miraculous as nothing can prevent a healthy embryo from getting stuck to the uterine wall if the endometrial lining is receptive. Therefore, there is no reason for a woman to be scared that the embryo might fall from the uterus, even if he has conceived with IVF.

Is taking bed rest after embryo transfer essential?

Most women who get treated from IVF clinics in Delhi would want to know about the significance of taking bed rest after embryo transfer. There is no need for it because the embryo will not fall out of the uterus even if she is physically active after the transfer. A woman need not feel guilty if the cycle fails due to implantation failure as bed rest has no effect on the success of embryo transfer. Instead of feeling stressed about these things, the patient should focus on the joys that might be in store for them.

Gaudium IVF is the best IVF clinic in Delhi where patients get comprehensive evaluation and best treatment for diverse infertility issues. They are also given counseling and support to learn all about the advanced reproductive procedures and precautions needed after them.

Visit the clinic to get a free second opinion from Dr Manika Khanna, the award-winning ivf specialist in Delhi.

Comments
avatar
Please sign in to add comment.