Careful Embryo Transfer for a Successful IVF Outcome

For a successful IVF outcome, the procedure of embryo transfer should be done with great care to ensure that the embryos are delivered gently inside the uterine cavity without any trauma. The process usually takes between 10 and 20 minutes. A carelessly performed embryo transfer can ruin the chances of conception.

Once the embryos are transferred, there’s nothing a patient can do to influence the outcome of her cycle. A few hours of bed rest after the transfer is required. It is important that physical activities be limited for the remainder of the day and the following day or two.

Conception depends upon the genetic quality of the eggs. Nature will only allow genetically perfect embryos to survive.

Ensuring a Safe Embryo Transfer
All along there was the misconception that the method of embryo transfer really did not affect outcome. However studies have proved that the key to IVF success is meticulous embryo transfer.

A dummy embryo transfer or a precycle trial transfer is sometimes recommended to ensure that a proper evaluation of the uterine cavity and utero–cervical angulation is done.

Some doctors perform the transfer under ultrasound guidance, to ensure proper placement of the embryos in the uterine cavity. Ultrasound guidance has many potential advantages. The full bladder required to perform transabdominal ultrasound guidance is helpful in straightening the cervical uterine access and substantially improves pregnancy rates.

Hindrance to a Successful Embryo Transfer
Uterine contractions, blood or mucus on the catheter tip, bacterial contamination of the catheter and expulsion of embryos are some of the main reasons for problematic and unsuccessful embryo transfers.

The surgeon who performs the embryo transfer has to ensure that any cervical mucus within the cervical canal is removed so that it does not stick to the catheter and inadvertently remove the embryo during catheter withdrawal. Cervical mucus can also be a source of bacterial contamination that could adversely affect the results.
The ultimate goal of a successful embryo transfer is to deliver the embryos with the least trauma to the uterine fundus in a location where implantation is maximized. It is here that the skill of the surgeon performing the embryo transfer influences the outcome of the procedure.

East Bay Fertility Center offers a wide range of infertility treatments along with expert medical counseling to couples facing difficulty in conceiving. Under the guidance of Dr. Ellen U. Snowden, Medical Director and physician, medical staff at East Bay provides dedicated treatment for infertility and reproductive endocrine issues. East Bay Fertility Center specializes in providing infertility treatments such as in-vitro fertilization, insemination, Intracytoplasmic sperm injection, egg donation and gestational surrogacy.

At East Bay embryo transfer is a completely painless process usually done three days after the egg retrieval. It is very much like a routine pelvic exam and involves the passage of a very small plastic catheter through the cervix. A tiny drop (20-30 microliters) of culture media with the microscopic embryos suspended within is deposited in the upper reaches of the uterus.

With the right type of treatment and intervention, East Bay Fertility Center assists couples who have been having problems conceiving to overcome those difficulties in the shortest possible time in order to realize their dreams of having a healthy baby.

Call 925.828.9235 for a free initial consultation.