#stepbystepembryotransfer

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Step by Step Embryo Transfer - Indira IVF

Successful embryo transfer is the sequence of processes which include fertilization of a female egg in a specialized lab. It is usually done after all the other methods of getting a woman pregnant have failed.

Read Complete Blog For Successful embryo transfer process

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Step by Step Embryo Transfer - Indira IVF

Embryo transfer is the most efficient and commonly practiced fertility treatment in the world. If you haven’t gone through it, then you will actually don’t know the steps involved in this procedure. Thus, you should go through an introductory guide of step by step embryo transfer.

Embryo transfer is the sequence of processes which include fertilization of a female egg in a specialized lab. It is usually done after all the other methods of getting a woman pregnant have failed.

Embryo transfer process step by step :

Step 1: Preparation- Testing and ovarian stimulation

Before the transfer, an assess of your uterus and Fallopian tubes is done to ensure no surgical repair is needed. Pre-cycle test includes hormonal assessment to evaluate ovarian reserve, functioning of thyroid, screening of both the partners and sperm analysis of the husband.

Women should consume fertility drugs for ovarian stimulation for 8 to 14 days as it helps in maturing multiple eggs for retrieval. You have higher pregnancy rates with more eggs. Around 10-20 eggs are retrieved for embryo transfer but only 2/3rd have right maturity.

An ultrasound determines that you have the right number of follicles. An hCG shot is injected to make the eggs reach the final maturity stage, so that they are capable of fertilization

Step 2: Egg Retrieval

After 24 or 36 hours of getting the hCG shot, before the ovulation, you will undergo the surgical proceeding to remove the eggs from the ovarian follicles. For this purpose, an ultrasound is used to guide a needle which enters through the vagina to the first ovary and then the next. You will not feel any discomfort or pain during the procedure as you will be under sedation.

As the needles enter the follicles, the follicular fluid content is removed via suction which drags the egg too in the fluid. The procedure takes around 30 minutes. You may have a little pain on the day of the procedure but it will go away soon.

The fluid of the follicles along with egg is suctioned in small tubing to a test tube. It is submitted to an embryologist who extracts the eggs from every test tube. The number of eggs produced and extracted depend on the age of the woman, ovarian reserve, ability to get to the ovaries via the needle.

Step 3: Fertilization

After the eggs are examined in the lab for their quality and maturity, they are stored in a special culture medium and fertilized with sperm. Two ways to fertilize an egg comprise of ICSI (Intra-cytoplasmic injection) or IVF (in-vitro fertilization). Both procedure have good success rate. ICSI is usually done when IVF has failed.

Step 4: Embryo transfer

The IVF team will schedule the embryo transfer date- It may range from 1 to 6 days but usually 3-5 days after the retrieval of the eggs. However, if genetic testing is done, then a biopsy of the embryo is taken. Around 3 to 7 cells are sent for testing while the embryo is frozen and stored in the lab.

Once the genetic test results are obtained, the chosen embryo is thawed and transferred to the uterus.

Anesthesia is often not recommended, but sedative may be used. A predetermined number of embryos are kept in the catheter which passes through the cervical entry and vagina to the uterus. Successful embryo transfer process is carried out following which the patient is shifted to the recovery room and discharged after 4-6 hours.

The number of embryos generated relies on many factors such as age of the couple. Previously multiple embryos were transferred to gain higher success while led to birth of twins or triplets. Hence, a successful embryo transfer should be limited to one embryo.

Instructions after the embryo transfer procedure

Once the embryo is transferred, you cannot do anything to impact your cycle outcome. Even complete bed rest isn’t suggested to women with embryo transfer. However, some doctors suggest 24 hours rest to the patients and then resume normal activities. No physical activity has any impact in embryo transfer or implantation.

Risks linked with embryo transfer

There are small risks linked with embryo transfer process. It includes loss of embryo during the transfer or implantation at the wrong location say fallopian tube. You may also experience mild cramping after the procedure.

Once the embryo transfer is done, the couple has to optimistically wait to get early pregnancy symptoms after 2-4 weeks. You may also have to get blood tests done for the same reason.