Your embryo transfer day is finally here. Your journey to this day has most certainly involved a range of complex emotions, a lot of appointments, and even more injections. To help prepare you for your transfer, Dr. Rosencrantz and the infertility team at Reproductive Health and Wellness Center will give you detailed instructions and lots of information so you will know exactly what to expect.
Can I have a sneak peek?
You will arrive at the center at the scheduled time with a full bladder. After checking in, you will head to our embryo transfer room where you will get undressed waist down. If you want, your partner or friend or family member can be with you the whole time. After speaking with Dr. Rosencrantz and after verification with the embryologist, you are ready to start the procedure.
A speculum is inserted into the vagina, the cervix is gently cleaned, and while watching with an ultrasound on your abdomen, the “outside” catheter is inserted gently through the cervix. Once it is in place, we can watch together as the embryologist loads the embryo(s) into a smaller catheter — We have a camera on the microscope in the embryology lab with a direct feed to a TV in the transfer room. The embryologist will then bring the catheter with the embryo into the room with us. We will pass the embryo loaded catheter through the outside catheter and then gently deposit the embryo at the top of the uterus. And that’s it. It is quick and painless. After the transfer is complete, you will rest for approximately thirty minutes before going home.
I am home, now what?
The first 24 hours after an embryo is transferred is when the embryo begins to attach and implant into the uterine wall. That’s why we want you relaxing at home for the next 48 hours. We want you on modified bed rest, which means resting on the couch, in a reclining chair, or in bed. Just be a couch potato.
Avoid vigorous activities such as heavy lifting, bending or exercise. You can use stairs but don’t run up and down.
Avoid excessive heat. No hot baths or hot tubs, and no whirlpools. Showers are OK.
Try to relax as best you can. Waiting 9 days or so for your pregnancy test can feel like ages and we know that stress isn’t going to help us reach our goals. Take advantage of the time by reading that book that has been on your list for the past year, binge a new TV show, or re-watch some of your favorite movies. Another great suggestion is daily meditation, which can be a powerful way for some patients to stay calm.
Be sure to continue your medications as prescribed by the center. These medications are necessary to support implantation and it can help to review them ahead of time. That way you know what you need to take, how to take it, and when to take it.
Embryo implant
Finally, let me reassure you that it’s not your fault if an embryo doesn’t implant. Just to get to this point has been a tremendous amount of work and effort on your part and shows that you are, in fact, doing everything you can to have success. And no matter the outcome, you are stronger than you think and you get will through this.
Embryo Transfer in Orange County
Reproductive Health and Wellness Center offers, high quality fertility treatments like embryo transfers, combined with wellness solutions like acupuncture and therapy support groups for best results. To learn more or schedule a fertility consultation with a Dr. Rosencrantz, FACOG, call or text 949-516-0606 or go here.
At Reproductive Health and Wellness Center, we are experts at treating fertility issues. We provide the latest in cutting-edge embryo science by using the latest technologies, and we create innovative fertility plans tailored specifically to each individual. But we’re so much more.
