What can I do to increase my success after embryo transfer?
Preparing for your frozen embryo transfer
Your FET cycle can bring uncertainty and stress, and you must remember that you’re in good hands when preparing and anticipating the procedure and outcomes. It’s important to prepare yourself for what to expect and how to improve your chances of success, so you’re already off to a good start.
Many doctors recommend different medications and protocols before the procedure, so you may find yourself in bed rest anywhere from 1 day to 2 weeks. Whatever your doctor and fertility specialist recommends, you must take their advice.
When preparing for your IVF frozen embryo transfer, use these tricks and tips before your procedure to increase your chances of a successful transfer:
Tip 1: Organize and take your medications.
When undergoing a frozen embryo transfer, you’ll be given progesterone and other supplemental medications to prepare your uterus and other hormonal functions. Make sure you have adequate levels of medications and you understand how to take them.
If your doctor recommends bed rest, it’s a good idea to move everything you’ll need within reach, especially your fertility medications. Try to plan out what medications you’ll be taking each day, and make sure that you can access everything your doctors prescribed without serious movement. This will also help make sure you’re not missing anything critical before the procedure, and you can feel confident you’re doing everything you need to do.
Tip 2: Place a trash can next to your bed.
There can be a lot of waste and packaging associated with fertility medications before the embryo transfer. Make sure you can easily dispose of any necessary waste without getting up and disrupting your bed rest. Additionally, having somewhere nearby to discard medicine packages and other waste nearby your bed will help you significantly decrease clutter (and stress levels) while waiting for your frozen embryo transfer.
Tip 3: Stock up on entertainment.
Whether you like to read, watch TV, or listen to music, entertaining yourself throughout the preparation for the procedure is important for a few reasons. First, this helps you take your mind off a potentially nerve-wracking first experience for many women who have not yet undergone an embryo transfer. Secondly, staying entertained throughout bed rest is a good opportunity to practice self-love and take care of yourself.
We live in a busy society where hustling is promoted, but disconnecting and immersing yourself in something you’re interested in can leave you feeling rejuvenated and excited. You can’t fill from an empty cup, and self-appreciation is a great way to avoid burnout.
Tip 4: Purchase warm socks.
A widely held principle in Chinese medicine, a “cold” uterus with poor blood flow and circulation can be a cause of infertility. However, that being said, wearing socks certainly can’t hurt. And while slightly controversial, warm socks are a long-standing IVF superstition many patients follow.
Often, slip-on shoes with warm socks are recommended for the day of your embryo transfer for the easiest possible procedure. This will prevent you from getting cold feet (pun intended 😉 throughout the embryo transfer process, and make sure that your body is nice and warm.
Tip 5: Sleep restfully.
Ironically enough, being on bed rest can make getting a good night’s rest harder. Sleep and fertility are closely connected, so it’s critical to get enough sleep to support your IVF cycle. A 2013 study found that women who slept for 7 to 8 hours each night had a higher pregnancy rate than those who slept for shorter (or longer) durations. If you’re having trouble falling asleep, you can take melatonin to naturally regulate your sleep schedule.
When sleeping before your embryo transfer, try to:
. Keep your bedroom between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit
. Diffuse lavender in your bedroom or bathroom
. Avoid caffeine four to six hours before you go to sleep
. Stop eating two to three hours before you go to sleep
. Listen to relaxing music
. Limit blue light and screen time at least 30 minutes before bed
. Stretch gently and loosen your muscles before sleeping
Tip 6: Avoid extreme temperatures against your abdomen and uterus.
If you’ll be working throughout your bed rest, make sure to get a laptop tray or use some material that will block the heat from your laptop. Because the heat generated by your laptop (and other technology or devices) can be harmful to your uterus and fertility, it’s important to keep your laptop away from your body when preparing for the procedure.
However, this rule doesn’t just apply to technology — it’s not a good idea to visit saunas, hot tubs, or other high-heat activities because these external agents can impact or inhibit your chances of a successful embryo transfer and pregnancy at the end of your IVF cycle.
Tip 7: Meal prep beforehand with healthy food.
Many fertility specialists suggest eating a high-fat, low-carb diet to reduce inflammation throughout the body, G.I. tract and reproductive system. This diet also aids hormone function because many female hormones are made from cholesterol, which derives from fats.
It’s also important to consume an antioxidant-rich diet before your embryo transfer, so fresh produce and fruit will be critical here.
Foods that are embryo-transfer friendly include:
. Soups
. Whole grains found in quinoa, farro, and whole-grain pasta
. Legumes like beans, lentils and chickpeas
. Healthy fats like avocado oil, extra-virgin olive oil, walnuts and seeds
. Lean proteins like fish and chicken
. Fresh fruits and veggies (Berries, Pineapple)
Cold foods are not embryo-transfer friendly, so try to avoid:
. Cold beverages like smoothies and sodas
. Sugar
. Red meat products
. Highly processed foods
. Salt — season with herbs and spices instead
Tip 8: Stay away from chemicals.
During the FET process, it’s important to avoid items made with endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). EDCs interfere with your hormones, reproductive health and prenatal development, and are also generally harmful to your overall health.
Some chemicals classified as EDCs found in everyday household products include Formaldehyde, Parabens, Benzophenone, Triclosan, BPAs, Phthalates, and Dioxins. To limit disruptions with the embryo transfer and IVF process, try to remove all strong chemicals and scented products.
Products to remove include:
. Nail polish
. Nonstick cooking tools
. Cosmetics with fragrance
. Soaps and moisturizers with fragrance
. Meat and dairy
. Stain-resistant materials
Tip 9: Plan ahead and pack your bag.
The last thing anyone wants to do before their embryo transfer is to sit in traffic and run behind schedule. Ask your doctor for logistics before the embryo transfer procedure, such as:
. What you can bring to the appointment (ask if you can bring a camera – trust us, you’ll be happy you did!)
. How long you can expect to be at the clinic
. What time you should arrive
. What you’ll wear (try to avoid tight pants and remember socks!)
. Who will go with you
Tip 10: Come with a full bladder.
Follow your fertility specialist’s instructions for drinking water beforehand, or you might be waiting until your bladder is full and ready. This helps change the angle of the uterus and makes the transfer easier, allowing your doctor to see the catheter clearly with a trans-abdominal ultrasound to achieve the best placement of your embryo during transfer.
Once you go through the embryo transfer process, it’s important to continue this line of care for yourself to best support the chances of a successful pregnancy. Continue to prioritize the health and wellbeing of your body throughout IVF and beyond, for you and your family.
After your frozen embryo transfer
A lot of the time, women feel anxious about getting up and moving around in case the embryo ‘falls out’. The natural instinct is to want to rest a while after the procedure, and this is completely fine! The most important thing to do is to listen to your body and do what it dictates.
There are a few dos and don’ts that we would recommend when it comes to your post-transfer routine:
DON’T…
. Exercise excessively – gentle movement or walking is fine
. Lift heavy objects
. Drink caffeine
. Have sex
. Have hot baths – excessive heat may damage the embryo, so stick to showers until the pregnancy test.
. Listen to anyone who has a bad IVF story! Try asking them if it has a positive ending before they start their tale, as there’s no point indulging in negative energy.
DO…
. Get support from your partner, family and friends.
. Get your feel-good hormones circulating! Play uplifting music, laugh and do what makes you feel good.
. Think carefully about work. Many women say that work is a huge distraction for them, and so immersing yourself in it may be great to keep your mind active whilst you wait. But it all depends on your job, the travel and how supported you feel as an individual.
Read more about: Benefits of Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)
Read more about: How Long After IVF Transfer Do You Know If You’re Pregnant?