Embryo transfer how many days

For women who have undergone intrauterine inseminations IUIs , the sensation should be very similar. The transfer itself is a fairly simple procedure with very little discomfort.

A thin, soft catheter is threaded through the cervix under ultrasound guidance, to be very exact in the embryo placement location, generally 1 to 2 cm from the top of the uterine cavity.

After cleansing the cervix with solution, the doctor will place an empty transfer catheter through the cervix into position inside the uterine cavity. Then the embryologist will bring the catheter containing the embryo s from the lab a few feet away, so we can minimize the time that the embryos are exposed. Once we have the embryo s , we feed the catheter with the embryo s through the empty catheter that is in place.

On the ultrasound screen the patient will be able to watch the bubble of air and fluid the embryo is contained in get placed gently into the uterine cavity. After placement of the embryo s , the embryologist checks the catheter under the microscope to make sure that the embryo s transferred properly. Then the patient can get up and go straight to the bathroom, if needed.

After that, the embryos have to implant into the uterine lining on their own over the next few days, with the goal of developing into a successful pregnancy. Several recent studies have confirmed that immediate bed rest after the embryo transfer is completely unnecessary. Back in the s, after an embryo transfer, we prescribed that patients stay on complete bed rest for three hours and even rely on bedpans instead of going to the bathroom.

This is not what we prescribe today. When the embryo reaches the blastocyst stage it develops two distinct populations of cells. The outer cell mass, called the trophectoderm, and the inner cell mass.

There is also a fluid filled cavity — as seen in the picture below. Hatching usually occurs on day 6 in humans. See the picture below.

Hatching human blastocyst Hatching blastocyst embryo The shell of the embryo zona pellucida is at the lower left. The trophectoderm cells develop the ability to attach to the endometrial lining of the uterus.

At the same time, the uterine lining develops the ability to allow invasion of the trophectoderm cells from the blastocyst. This phase is believed to involve signaling back and forth between the embryo and the lining.

The penetration phase involves invasion of the trophectoderm cells from the embryo through the surface of the lining deeper into the stroma of the uterine lining. In this way, a vascular connection to the mother is formed.

Human blastocysts should hatch from the shell and begin to implant days after day 5 IVF blastocyst transfer. In a natural situation not IVF , the blastocyst should hatch and implant at the same time — about 6 to 10 days after ovulation.

Before, or after this window — implantation can not occur. Rosenwaks et al, in published a study looking at donor embryo transfers done in natural cycles. They got good results when transferring cell embryos with day endometrium the day of the LH surge was called day Formigli et al, in reported uterine lavage of embryos from uteri of donors at 5 days post-ovulation. The embryos were then transferred to recipient women. This suggests a window of implantation of up to 7 days. Pregnancies resulted from transfers on all days.

This suggests a window of at least 6 days. Ovulation — mating — fertilization — and subsequent development to the blastocyst stage occurs. Once cleared to start a cycle, you will take an oral medication called Estrace for approximately weeks. This helps to thicken and optimize the lining of your uterus for implantation. You will then be instructed to begin intramuscular progesterone injections ouch!

Your Transfer will take place 6 days after starting progesterone. The timing is critical to the success of your Transfer. Similar to a fresh embryo transfer, your pregnancy test will take place about 9 days after transfer. Finally, the day has arrived! Thawing your embryo takes very little time , just about an hour or so. Transfers at RMA can take place every day of the week, including weekends. This can help alleviate the stress of having to take another day off of work. They are normally scheduled between pm during the week and late morning during the weekend.

Unlike your egg retrieval , the ET will not require any anesthesia, which means you can eat a healthy, light breakfast, and even lunch, pending your specific time. Most transfers require a full bladder, we advise you to drink oz of fluid, starting an hour before Transfer. We advise you not to wear any perfume and your partner should not wear any fancy cologne.

The embryos are super sensitive to certain odors. After a series of verifications to ensure you will receive the correct embryo, your embryo s will be carefully loaded into a catheter, and the catheter is inserted through your vagina and cervix, and into your uterus, with the guidance of ultrasound imaging. The ET is virtually painless, with some cramping possible. You will be advised to rest for a few minutes after the transfer, and then you can get up, empty your bladder, and go home.

There are minor restrictions after transfer.