Embryo transfer is one of the most exciting stages of your IVF cycle. It marks the very start of your pregnancy journey, as after transfer your embryo begins to implant and grow.
Here’s what happens at embryo transfer and in the days afterwards, together with some useful embryo transfer tips and advice:
The embryo transfer process
Our purposely built laboratory uses the most advanced technologies and equipment to ensure our teams have the perfect environment for creating and monitoring your embryos.
We continue to invest in techniques to ensure every patient has the best chance of achieving their dream. Our embryologists choose your best embryos for transfer through the use of our Embryoscope incubator, which produce time-lapse videos to give detailed insight into their development, and iDAScore, the new AI (artificial intelligence) time-lapse technology to support embryo culture and selection further.
Once selected your best quality embryo will be bathed in EmbryoGlue to help promote implantation before being gently inserted into your uterus via a fine catheter. Your consultant will carry out your transfer under ultrasound guidance.
After embryo transfer
- After embryo transfer you are free to move around. Our nurses will give you full instructions about what to expect over the coming days, including details of any medications you need to take to support your body in early pregnancy, this will also be on our Salve App – where it has a personalised calendar displaying all the appointments, medication regime and treatment schedule.
- After one week you will get a call to see how you are feeling at this time, this is to make sure that you are managing and to let you know that we are here for you, should you need to talk or need advice one week after your transfer.
- They will also give you the earliest date you can perform your pregnancy test, which is usually around two weeks later.
Embryo growth & implantation after transfer
Your embryo will begin to attach to the uterine lining in the immediate days after transfer and is usually implanted by day 5.
The HCG hormone (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) that a pregnancy test detects starts to be secreted once the embryo has implanted and fetal development begins. HCG levels increase each day and are high enough to be picked up in your urine by day 14 post-transfer. So, although it might be tempting to test earlier, you may get a misleading result.
Midwifery support
We know that the days of waiting to find out if you are pregnant and all the speculation that goes with it is hard. Our fertility midwives’ will be here to support you. During this time, she will check in with you and is available to answer any questions you have about implantation signs, early pregnancy symptoms, and give support and advice at this time.
Embryo transfer tips & advice
It’s natural to be anxious after your embryo transfer. So here are some tips from our expert team to help:
- Our experts have chosen the best embryo using their experience and the most advanced technology - the New AI (artificial intelligence) time-lapse technology and our Embryoscope incubator.
- They have created the best receptive uterine environment and ensured your body is fully supported and ready for pregnancy. We are all focused on achieving the best possible outcome for you.
- If you have any questions or concerns at all, our experienced midwives Lynsey and Stacey and our expert team of nurses can be contacted through our Salve app. They are here to support you can give the very best fertility care.
- Do take it easy after embryo transfer. You can carry on daily life as normal, but many women like to take some time out in the days after transfer.
- Continue with a healthy lifestyle and diet and relax as much as possible over these two weeks.
- Be kind to yourself. IVF is an emotional journey, and embryo transfer is the last stage. We are all here to support you every step of the way.
Manchester Fertility Counselling
As part of your ongoing support, our counselling team are available for you at any time should you feel that this would help you. Our Fertility counsellors have many years of experience in helping patients throughout their fertility journey.
You can choose to see our counsellors on your own or with your partner. Your counselling sessions are carried out entirely in confidence and in private. While our counsellors are part of your treatment team, they do not share your discussions with our clinical team.
Vicky Manchester Fertility Counsellor Says: Fertility counselling can often be a great stress reliever, which, of course, can only help during a treatment cycle. However, it can be quite practical; we can look at strategies that can be put in place to cope with the issues going on in the world and a treatment cycle, things that will make it more manageable, including planning for the two-week wait.
Read more about of team of expert fertility counsellors Sharen, Vicky, Ann and Emma here.
Manchester Fertility Support Group
Many patients find our Facebook Fertility Support Group invaluable at this time. Led by our experienced, Senior Patient Advisor – Hayley Cuthbert. This allows you to connect with other Manchester Fertility Patients in the group and learn more about what other patients are going through in their fertility journey. You can participate in our group as much or as little as you wish to.
Once you join, it is always open to you to ask questions, share tips and find support with others who may be experiencing the same things you are at any time you need it, before, during or after treatment. It is a great supportive group and if you are a patient and would like to speak to other patients, please search for 'Manchester Fertility Support Group' on Facebook to join our Manchester Fertility Family. Hayley is welcoming new patients every day.
Find out more about IVF and starting treatment
If you have any questions about embryo transfer or the IVF process, our dedicated, friendly New Patient Co-ordinator Team are happy to help on 0161 300 2737.Alternatively, if you are looking to start IVF Treatment with us, you can book a free1-2-1 to find out more. A 1-2-1 is a great place to start finding out about who we are as a clinic and how we have been helping to create families for over 35 years.
Last updated: 28th May 2021
