Recommendations following an embryo transfer

In Vitro Fertilization treatment involves several steps: first, a preparation phase and testing carried out on the female and her partner, then the ovarian stimulation followed by the egg collection, insemination of the eggs (generally using ICSI), embryo culture, and finally the embryo transfer which consists in placing the selected embryo into the uterine cavity.

All these steps throughout the process give rise to moments of uncertainty and lots of questions we will answer for you at each visit to our clinic over the course of your treatment. However, when you will truly feel like you are on your own is the period of time between the day of your embryo transfer and the day you return to the clinic for your pregnancy test. You will have thousands of questions and concerns, such as being worried about potentially doing something that could have a negative impact on embryo implantation.

That is why we would like to leave you with a list of recommendations to follow over the days between your embryo transfer and your pregnancy test, also known as the two‑week wait, to help you stay as relaxed as possible.

Recommendations following an embryo transfer.

1. As long as there are no medical contraindications, you can carry on with your normal, day‑to‑day life. Make sure to follow good habits to ensure you are doing everything you can in order to achieve the result we are all hoping for.
2. Although bed rest is not necessary, we do recommend staying calm, relaxed and stress‑free. On the day of your embryo transfer you can go to work, leave the house, drive, etc. At URE Centro Gutenberg we advise normal day‑to‑day activity, but at a relaxed pace.
3. You can be physically active, but you should avoid intense exercise and extreme, strenuous sports such running, spinning, aerobics, zumba, etc.
4. You can travel using any form of transport (by car, plane or boat). Any movement, altitude (on a plane), vibrations, etc., will not have a negative impact on your treatment results.
5. You should eat a healthy, balanced diet. Focus on eating foods that are rich in fiber (fruits, grains, whole-grain bread, legumes, etc.) as the medication taken following the embryo transfer (progesterone) can cause constipation. Follow this link to read about what foods are essential during this stage of treatment.
6. Bad habits that can negatively affect fertility. Avoid smoking, alcohol consumption, coffee in excess (you can have one cup of coffee daily) and other habits that can negatively impact your fertility and, as a result, the result of your treatment.
7. It is advisable you stay properly hydrated.
8. You should ideally avoid intercourse until you have taken the pregnancy test. In some patients, penetration (coitus) and orgasm can lead to uterine contractions that could be detrimental to the implantation process.
9. It is not advisable to immerse yourself in water (at the pool or beach, or in a bathtub or at a spa, etc.) due to the risk of infection and possibility that the vaginal medication you are using will not be absorbed as well by your body. Thermal baths, spas and hot tubs with massage jets are not recommended as they can lead to drops in blood pressure. A short bath or a quick dip to cool off are not contraindicated. If you do go in the water, you should ideally wait at least 2 hours after having used your vaginal medication. Daily showers are not contraindicated.
10. Taking painkillers. If you are experiencing slight discomfort, you can take paracetamol. Anti‑inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or aspirin are not recommended unless your doctor specifically advises you to take them.
11. Do not make any changes to the treatment you have been prescribed to take by your doctor.

When to contact your doctor following an embryo transfer

Immediately after your embryo transfer (i.e. 1-3 days later), you may notice vaginal spotting which is normal and quite common. If the spotting persists or starts more than 3 days after the embryo transfer took place, you should get in touch with the medical team.

We hope we have been able to answer the most frequently asked questions we receive during this stage of treatment. This waiting period is, without a doubt, the most difficult part of the assisted reproduction process; for that reason, we would also like to leave you with some guidelines for self‑care that will come in handy for days when emotions are running high.