A frozen embryo transfer (commonly known as embryo freezing or embryo cryopreservation) is the procedure that brings hope to many couples who are dreaming of bringing new life and building a family. The most important benefit of the “Frozen Embryo Transfer” (FET) is that it reduces the number of transferred embryos, thereby diminishing the risk of multiple pregnancies.
For a successful frozen embryo transfer, there are some tips that the individual has to pay attention to before and after frozen embryo transfer. In this article, you are going to find frozen embryo transfer tips containing; what to do or what not to do before and after embryo transfer, the night before embryo transfer, and ovulation before frozen embryo transfer…
Frozen Embryo Transfer Tips
The conventional IVF cycle has 2 steps; creating the embryos, endometrial preparation, and embryo transfer. Creating embryos is the first part as we may name” Before Frozen Embryo Transfer” which contains ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, and fertilization. Endometrial preparation and embryo transfer is the 2nd step in which we will name the tips under the titles; “Night Before Embryo Transfer”, “On The Day Of Frozen Embryo Transfer”, “After Frozen Embryo Transfer”
Before Frozen Embryo Transfer
Preparing for frozen embryo transfer is as important as preparing for any pregnancy. Starting at least 1-3 months prior the individual has to focus on how to increase the chance of successful transfer and healthy pregnancy. Starting on a healthy diet, staying away from stress, taking time for rest and refreshing your mind with positive thoughts must be your daily life routine. This is what you can do personally, the rest will be planned by your doctor.
Approximately 10 to 12 days prior to a scheduled procedure for your eggs to be retrieved, artificial cycle and natural cycle preparation methods will be planned by your doctor. In the artificial cycle, you will undergo injections of multiple medications each day too. This treatment will stimulate follicle growth, with estrogen supplementation endometrial proliferation will be achieved. In some cases, your doctor may decide to suppress the pituitary gland to reduce the risk of ovulation before frozen embryo transfer. For this procedure, starting approximately two weeks before frozen embryo transfer you may need to get daily treatment.
Besides this treatment, for the natural cycle, precise determination of the time of ovulation is one of the important frozen embryo transfer tips to achieve success. As your transfer is going to be performed on the day of ovulation, ovulation before frozen embryo transfer is dedicated as a problem. In order to minimize the risk of ovulation before frozen embryo transfer, your doctor may recommend you to precise determination of the time of ovulation by using a home ovulation predictor kit. Although the ovulation kit is usually used once each morning for a normal menstrual cycle, for frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles you will have to use the kit twice a day (morning and evening). If the individual has regular, ovulatory menstrual cycles, frozen embryo transfer can be done without hormone treatment. Follow all the steps your doctor is asking you to do.
Embryo freezing has many potential benefits. First of all, having frozen embryos will let you give childbirth when you feel ready. All frozen embryos can be safely stored up to a decade with no loss in quality. If you have any frozen embryos from a previous IVF cycle, they can be used for the new embryo transfer procedure. In the frozen embryo transfer procedure, the embryos are frozen when they reach the blastocyst stage. This is about 5 days after fertilization.
Night Before Embryo Transfer
The night before embryo transfer, take your time for personal needings, do the things that keep you calm and relaxed. Go shopping, meet with friends, spend time in nature… Do whatever you like to do…
A few days after the transfer you may need to rest, so preparing meals for the following days will keep your mind busy and will make you prepared for the coming days.
On the transfer day nail polish, make-up or perfumes are not allowed. The night before embryo transfer don’t forget to remove your nail polish.
Taking a shower or a relaxing bath will help to reduce stress on the night before embryo transfer.
Stop reading articles or watching videos about IVF which may make you anxious on the night before embryo transfer. This is one of the most important frozen embryo transfer tips which will lead you to a calm preparation to the journey of your pregnancy.
On The Day Of Frozen Embryo Transfer
The frozen embryos are transferred into the individual’s uterus on a specified day of the menstrual cycle. Generally, the frozen embryos will thaw on the same day of embryo transfer.
The frozen embryo transfer is a painless and simple procedure. You feel comfortable as usually it is done at the clinic you used to visit. Embryo transfer is performed while the individual is in the lithotomy position. No anesthesia is required. It takes approximately 30 minutes or more. During the procedure, your doctor uses a cannula that contains your embryo(s) and replaces them gently to the uterus cavity with the help of ultrasound.
It is important to drink plenty of water for the ultrasound-guided transfer. So please be sure that you have a full bladder. After the transfer, you must lie down for about 10-15 minutes.
After Frozen Embryo Transfer
After embryo transfer, if the treatment has been successful the individual will get a positive pregnancy test on day 15. Starting from the day after your transfer, paying attention to the “after frozen embryo transfer tips” will help you to spend two comfortable weeks before getting the results.
Before heading back home after the transfer, your doctor will inform you of some instructions including your medications and lifestyle considerations. Don’t forget to take your medications on time and do what your doctor told you to.
Some individuals experience bleeding or spotting after embryo transfer. Don’t panic, this is not a sign for anything (period or replacement bleeding, etc.) Keep taking prescribed medications and contact your doctor.
Take it easy! You have been through lots of stressful steps now it is time to rest. Although there are no studies that lying down is beneficial it will help you to calm down. Get plenty of sleep, nurture yourself, and go on daily walks to feel good.
For a couple of weeks; avoid sexual intercourse and heavy exercise. Both can stimulate uterine contractions.
Pay attention to what you eat or drink; eat balanced with lots of protein, fiber, and vegetables. Stay away from all harmful substances like alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine.
After embryo transfer, avoid any activity that raises your internal temperature such as hot tubs, saunas…
After frozen embryo transfer (FET) the chance of getting pregnant depends on the quality of embryos and the particularities of the individual’s uterus. Frozen embryo transfers are 73% percent likely to result in an ongoing pregnancy.
