The IVF Experience: What To Expect During And After Treatment
The IVF experience is a complex and emotionally charged journey that individuals or couples undertake when they face challenges conceiving a child naturally. It involves a series of medical procedures and treatments aimed at increasing the chances of successful pregnancy.
The process starts with an initial consultation with a fertility specialist. During this consultation, the specialist reviews the medical history of the individuals or couple, conducts various tests, and performs examinations to assess their fertility status. This helps the specialist determine the most suitable treatment plan and address any underlying issues.
Once the decision to pursue IVF is made, the woman undergoes a phase called ovarian stimulation. This involves the administration of hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries and encourage the production of multiple mature eggs. Throughout this phase, the woman’s progress is closely monitored through regular ultrasound scans and blood tests to ensure the optimal development of the follicles.
When the eggs are deemed ready for retrieval, a minor surgical procedure called egg retrieval is performed. Under sedation or anesthesia, a needle is guided through the vagina to reach the ovaries and collect the mature eggs from the follicles. The retrieved eggs are then immediately transported to the laboratory.
In the laboratory, the eggs are fertilized with sperm in a controlled environment. This can be done through traditional IVF, where the eggs and sperm are combined in a dish and allowed to fertilize naturally, or through a technique called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). In ICSI, a single sperm is injected directly into each mature egg to enhance the chances of fertilization. The fertilized eggs, now embryos, are closely monitored for their development and quality over the next few days. The embryologists evaluate their progress, checking for cell division and growth. Based on the quality and viability of the embryos, a decision is made regarding the number of embryos to transfer.
During the embryo transfer procedure, a selected number of embryos are carefully placed into the woman’s uterus using a thin catheter. This is usually a painless procedure and does not require anesthesia. The choice of the number of embryos to transfer depends on various factors, including the woman’s age and the quality of the embryos, with the aim of maximizing the chances of successful implantation.
The embryo transfer is the last step of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and is eagerly anticipated by infertile women who have spent weeks on fertility drugs in preparation. Understanding what to expect when doing IVF treatment will keep you more at ease while waiting for your cycle results.
Following the embryo transfer, a waiting period of around 10-14 days follows. During this time, the woman may undergo progesterone supplementation to support the thickening of the uterine lining, which is crucial for successful implantation. The waiting period can be filled with anticipation, hope, and anxiety as individuals or couples eagerly await the outcome.
At the end of the waiting period, a pregnancy test is conducted to determine if the IVF cycle was successful. This usually involves a blood test to detect the presence of pregnancy hormones, such as beta-hCG. A positive result brings joy and relief, indicating a successful pregnancy, while a negative result can be emotionally challenging, leading to further decisions and discussions with the fertility specialist.
During The IVF Procedure
Although a frozen embryo transfer is a straightforward operation that typically does not call for anesthesia, full and partial sedation are available for your convenience. After passing the cervix, the doctor performing the frozen embryo transfer will use a thin transfer catheter to insert the thawed embryos into the uterus.
Because the transfer is not a particularly invasive process, you will be given about an hour to lie on your back and recover afterwards. The complete process requires two to four hours, including any necessary downtime.
After the surgery, your doctor recommends that you rest for 24 hours. There is little research to back up ideal advice for the time after surgery, so take it easy if that is what you need to do. However, there is agreement that vigorous or moderate exercise is not advised. Most people will rest at home for the rest of the day, then return to their normal routine the next day. Patients who want extra assurance of a healthy pregnancy start may be prescribed progesterone.
The Aftermath
This test will show if the embryo has implanted successfully and a pregnancy has resulted.
Two Weeks Following IVF/FET, You Should Do A Blood Pregnancy Test
Fertility clinics advise waiting the standard two weeks following an IVF frozen embryo transfer before taking a pregnancy test. It is done for your good, both in achieving reliable results and dealing with the wide range of feelings bound to surface. Pregnancy tests taken too soon after a frozen egg transfer are prone to misleading findings. Thus, clinics advise waiting at least two weeks before taking one.
Potential Signs and Symptoms of a Frozen Embryo Transfer
The following are possible side effects you might feel following your embryo transfer and what they could indicate.
Mild Bleeding Or Spotting
Occasionally, faint spotting is the first indication of pregnancy. Possible evidence that the FET was effective and the embryo implanted on the uterine wall is minor bleeding on underwear or toilet paper after wiping. However, bleeding is seen by many as a worrying sign and often fails to reassure many women following their operation.
Cramps And Lower Abdominal Pain
The progesterone and fertility drugs you take may cause pelvic pain and cramps during the two weeks you must wait. In addition, some women may have cramping right after a pelvic operation.
Weakness And Exhaustion
Women undergoing IVF or other fertility treatments often report feeling more exhausted than usual during pregnancy. Early in the IVF process, you may feel unusually tired because of the rise in progesterone. At the start of their periods, many women report feeling tired. Ensure plenty of rest following the embryo transfer and during the subsequent two weeks of waiting.
Painfully Sensitive Breasts
Tenderness and sensitivity in the breasts may be the first indication of pregnancy (and a successful embryo transfer) for some women. A positive embryo transfer may be indicated by breast tenderness or swelling. Nevertheless, during the two-week wait, this is a potential side effect of your fertility medications, such as injectable and oral progesterone.
It is best not to worry if you experience something negative following an embryo transfer. It might just as easily be premenstrual or early pregnancy symptoms. None of them should be very severe, but you should call your clinic for instructions if they do. You can reduce your chances of a rare issue even more by choosing a reputable IVF facility with specialists with extensive experience with assisted reproductive technologies.
