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Embryo Freezing

Embryo Transfer:

The procedure to place one or more embryos in the uterus is done at your doctor’s office or a clinic. It often takes place 2 to 6 days after eggs are collected.

  • You might be given a mild sedative to help you relax. The procedure is often painless, but you might have mild cramping.
  • A long, thin, flexible tube called a catheter is placed into the vagina, through the cervix and into the uterus.
  • A syringe that contains one or more embryos in a small amount of fluid is attached to the end of the catheter.
  • Using the syringe, the embryo or embryos are placed into the uterus.

If the procedure works, an embryo will attach to the lining of your uterus about 6 to 10 days after egg retrieval.

What to expect after the procedure?

After the embryo transfer, you can get back to your usual daily routine. Your ovaries may still be enlarged, so vigorous activities or sex might cause discomfort. Ask your care team how long you should stay away from these. Typical side effects include:
  • Passing a small amount of clear or bloody fluid shortly after the procedure. This is due to the swabbing of the cervix before the embryo transfer.
  • Breast tenderness due to high estrogen levels.
  • Mild bloating.
  • Mild cramping.
Call your care team if you have moderate or severe pain, or heavy bleeding from the vagina after the embryo transfer. You’ll likely to need to get checked for complications such as infection, twisting of an ovary and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.  

Results:

At least 12 days after egg retrieval, you get a blood test to find out whether you’re pregnant.
  • If you’re pregnant, you’ll likely be referred to an obstetrician or other pregnancy specialist for prenatal care.
  • If you’re not pregnant, you’ll stop taking progesterone and likely get your period within a week. Call your care team if you don’t get your period or if you have unusual bleeding. If you’d like to try another cycle of IVF, your care team might suggest steps you can take to improve your chances of getting pregnant next time.
The chances of giving birth to a healthy baby after using IVF depend on various factors, including:
  • Maternal age: The younger you are, the more likely you are to get pregnant and give birth to a healthy baby using your own eggs during IVF. Often, people 40 and older are counseled to think about using donor eggs during IVF to boost the chances of success.
  • Embryo status: Transfer of embryos that are more developed is linked with higher pregnancy rates compared with less-developed embryos. But not all embryos survive the development process. Talk with your care team about your specific situation.
  • Reproductive history: People who’ve given birth before are more likely to be able to get pregnant using IVF than are people who’ve never given birth. Success rates are lower for people who’ve already tried IVF multiple times but didn’t get pregnant.
  • Cause of infertility: Having an average supply of eggs raises your chances of being able to get pregnant using IVF. People who have severe endometriosis are less likely to be able to get pregnant using IVF than are those who have infertility without a clear cause.
  • Lifestyle factors: Smoking can lower the chance of success with IVF. Often, people who smoke have fewer eggs retrieved during IVF and may miscarry more often. Obesity also can lower the chances of getting pregnant and having a baby. Use of alcohol, drugs, too much caffeine and certain medicines also can be harmful.
Talk with your care team about any factors that apply to you and how they may affect your chances of a successful pregnancy.
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