Is Bed Rest Required After an Embryo Transfer?

Reproductive medicine and technology have greatly developed in the past few decades. In the initial days of fertility science and innovation, patients who had an embryo transfer had to stary in complete bed rest for at least two weeks after the procedure.

That meant not standing up for any reason – not even to use the toilet. However, recovering from an embryo transfer is different nowadays.

While it’s important to rest after the procedure, strict bed rest is not necessary or even advised. Nevertheless, there are still some activities and precautions you should take following an embryo transfer to improve your chances of success.

What Is an Embryo Transfer?

An embryo transfer is the final stage in IVF process. During in vitro fertilization, the woman takes fertility medications to stimulate her ovaries to produce and release many healthy, viable eggs. These eggs are collected and fertilized with a donor’s or the male partner’s sperm in an IVF laboratory. The resulting embryos are then transferred into the woman’s womb.

Nowadays, IVF is a popular fertility treatment used to help couples or individuals who are struggling to have children. It is usually recommended for women with endometriosis, damaged uterine tubes, fibroids, ovulation disorders, genetic disorders.

Thanks to the progress in assisted reproductive technology, it is now possible to perform frozen embryo transfer. As the name suggests, a frozen embryo from a past IVF cycle is thawed and transferred back into the intended mother’s uterus. This means that you don’t need another cycle of hormone stimulation and egg retrieval to have children in the future.

Frozen embryo transfer can be inducted while you are on natural cycle, or utilizing hormone preparation, or through ovulation induction.

Embryo Transfers and Bed Rest: What the Research Say

Our knowledge regarding the importance of staying in bed after embryo transfer has evolved in recent years. It’s now evident that strict restrictions were not needed – and several studies have proven that to be true.

A 1997 study found that a 24-hour bed rest after an embryo transfer did not yield a better result than a 20-min bed rest did.

In another study conducted in 2005, the researchers discovered that there was no significant difference in pregnancy rates between patients who stood instantly after an embryo transfer and those who stayed in bed for one hour after the procedure.

A scientific review published in 2011 evaluated various studies concerning bed rest and embryo transfer. According to the authors, there’s no adequate evidence to prove that patients should be on bed rest following an embryo transfer procedure.

Newer studies have also shown that extended bed rest can result in negative pregnancy outcomes, particularly for women who underwent a donor-assisted IVF cycle.

Researchers found that bed rest and inactivity, together with increased estrogen levels, caused insulin resistance and increased blood clot formation in the body. These blood clots may impact the growth and development of the baby in the womb since it impedes the flow of blood to important areas.

On the other hand, mild activity aids blood flow, reduces inflammation, and relieves stress. All these factors are linked to improved fetal development and better health for the mother-to-be.

Long story short – taking bed rest after an embryo transfer is not absolutely necessary.

But there are activities you need to avoid shortly after an embryo transfer

You should be able to go back to your normal activities after this procedure, including light-to-moderate exercises, which can be advantageous to both the mother and her child. However, it is recommended that you stay away from any strenuous activities or workouts that can cause discomfort, i.e., jumping or heavy lifting activities.

Moreover, you want to keep away from sex immediately after embryo transfer, as it may impact the implantation of the embryo in the uterus.

Although a normal shower allowed, a lot of experts also suggest that expectant mothers avoid excessive heat, such as hot baths or tubs, at this time. This is because sustained elevated heat can raise internal body temperature, which may prevent the embryo from implanting in the womb.

If you are having mild constipation, bloating, spotting, and breast tenderness, there’s usually no need to be worried. But if the symptoms are very severe or worrying, it is important to speak with your physician or medical team as soon as possible.

Remember, that the fertility drugs you were placed on may cause ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). We advise contacting your fertility clinic or doctor if you are experiencing:

• abdominal bloating
• abdominal pain
• vomiting
• nausea
• diarrhea

Conclusion

Sure, it is mandatory that you follow the instructions dished out by your medical team. They have a great understanding of the journey to parenthood and can provide valuable advice for your situation.

Bear in mind that it is not any fault of yours if the embryo does not implant. According to various studies, the average woman requires approximately 2.7 cycles of IVF before successful embryo implantation can occur when utilizing her eggs (compared to a donor’s eggs). Sometimes, it takes time and several tries to achieve pregnancy.

At Coastal Fertility, the entire IVF embryo transfer procedure of a fresh embryo or frozen embryo is executed under the guidance of the most experienced fertility experts.

In case you want more information about embryo transfer procedures or other infertility treatments, set up a free consultation with us. We encourage visiting our website where you can find more helpful information and chat with us.