Many couples worldwide are grateful for modern Assisted Reproductive Techniques like IVF since it is blessing them with the greatest gift of their lives. The journey is a mixed bag of emotions of joy, anticipation, and anxiety, but it is undoubtedly filled with hope. IVF (in vitro fertilisation) is a multi-step process, and the day our ZIVA specialists transfer the embryo into your uterus is a surreal experience. The day of embryo transfer is a big day, and when it finally arrives, it’s quite an event! In the entire IVF process, embryo transfer is one of the highest points. Following the embryo transfer, the expecting mother has to wait to find out if it was successful. You may wonder what you should do after your embryo transfer — and what you should avoid doing. We are presenting you this beneficial blog, which we wish to be your one-stop guide for dos and donts after an embryo transfer. Nevertheless, your treating clinician is the best resource for any clarifications you may seek regarding post-embryo transfer care.
What should you do?
Give yourself the much-needed pamper
The embryo transfer is a potentially life-changing procedure! So do indulge yourself in a bit of self-care as you celebrate this transition. One only hopes the embryo will implant itself, so give yourself a few days to relax and rest. If possible, it is recommended that you take some time off. Skip those vigorous workouts. All these suggestions do not mean that you have to go on bed rest or lie down all the time. Some women wonder if I don’t keep their feet up, the embryo will fall off. We assure you the embryo isn’t going to fall out. On a hilarious note, you can use this as an excuse to get your partner to do some chores, and we won’t tell. Pampering yourself at this stage will help you cope with the emotional rollercoaster which you might experience while waiting for the result. Reading, watching feel-good movies, and funny videos are a few suggested activities.
Medications
Before the embryo transfer, whatever medication you were taking must be continued if suggested by your treating doctor. Significantly, many have to continue to take progesterone in the early weeks after the transfer to give their pregnancy the best chance to continue. Progesterone helps in the sustenance of pregnancy. Hence, it is a critical medicine used in assisted reproduction like IVF. Progesterone also helps in embryo implantation in the uterus. After the transfer of an embryo, vaginal suppositories an d injections are annoying. Please hang in there since you are taking them for a good reason. Another medication recommended is aspirin, since it improves your implantation and pregnancy outcomes. As aspirin does not suit everyone, please take it after discussing it with your doctor. But if recommended, please bring it unless you are advised to stop.
Focus on eating a healthy diet
After successful implantation, you must take the same care as natural pregnancy. Diet plays a vital role in the fetus’s healthy growth and the mother’s health. Not only that, the healthy eating habits you make at that time will stay with you for a longer time. Eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables and foods rich in calcium, protein, B vitamins, and iron. Your doctor will also recommend some healthy supplements, such as tablets, which are also necessary.
Start taking a daily folic acid supplement.
Please start taking the folic acid supplement. There are many advantages to taking folic acid when pregnant. On average, the expecting mother needs 400 mcg of this vital B vitamin to:-
- Prevent neural tube defects
- Reduce the risk of congenital heart defects in babies.
- Reduce the chances that your baby will experience a cleft lip or palate.
- Discuss the dosage of folic acid with your doctor.
Stay far from endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals or EDCs are found in substances like bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, parabens, and triclosan. So please avoid using them or try to reduce your exposure to them. EDCs interfere with the way your body’s hormones are supposed to work. Long-term exposure to these chemicals can even interfere with the development of your baby’s organs in utero. So if you are purchasing new “plastic” items, especially to store water or carry your food, please purchase one with a label that tells you it’s BPA-free. When buying cosmetics, please look at the title to ensure it’s free of EDCs.
Things one should not do after IVF Embryo Transfer
As there are things one should do, please also know that there are a few things you would want to avoid doing in the hours and days after your embryo transfer.
Avoid having sex
Pelvic rest is needed after your embryo transfer. Sexual intercourse triggers uterine contractions, disruptive to the newly transferred embryo. In worst cases, it could prevent the embryo from implanting in your uterus or lead to a miscarriage. But this is a temporary interlude only.
Don’t take a pregnancy test right away.
You and your partner will be very tempted to take the test immediately, but please resist it. The average time to wait is a couple of weeks from transfer day. It will take this much time for the placenta cells to start producing enough of the hormone known as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to be detected by a blood test. It’s best to note the day of your visit to your doctor’s office on your calendar. Please allow them to take the pregnancy test for you.
Do not ignore troubling symptoms
If you continue, fertility drugs may develop ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). OHSS symptoms are:-
- Abdominal pain
- Abdominal bloating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
At the start, these symptoms are mild, but in cases of the severe syndrome of OHSS, they worsen quickly.
Apart from OHSS, if you rapidly gain weight or feel severe pain in your belly, please consult your treating surgeon immediately. Apart from this, if you are facing discomfort, nausea etc., please don’t ignore them.
During the waiting days after embryo transfer, it’s a good idea to go by the do and don’t list. This is also a good time to develop some good habits you can sustain during pregnancy. Please find some low-key activities to distract your mind while you’re waiting. Before you realise your doctor’s appointment date will pop up, you can get an authentic result. We at ZIVA Fertility center believe in offering counselling services apart from medical treatment. Please reach us at +91-9100002737, +91-9392834024, info@zivafertility.com or visit our website – https://zivafertility.com/
