What to Expect After Your Embryo Transfer

The 9-day wait after your embryo transfer is a stressful time during the IVF (in vitro fertilization) process. Fixating every physical symptom you experience isn’t uncommon.

As one of the leading providers of surrogacy programs, we ease some of your anxiety by discussing what to expect after your embryo transfer and what you can do to enhance the likelihood of successful implantation:

Embryo transfer: What happens day by day

Once your embryos have been transferred, you’re waiting for them to be implanted (and for some hormone levels to rise to sustain the pregnancy). Here’s a day-by-day look at what should happen following a successful transfer:

• First day:Hatching occurs; this is when the blastocyst starts to hatch out of the shell.
• Second day:Hatching continues as the blastocyst begins to attach itself to the uterine lining. This is one of the most important parts of the process.
• Third day:Implantation begins after the blastocyst attaches deeper into the uterine lining. Experiencing some bleeding around this time is perfectly normal.
• Fourth day:The blastocyst starts digging deeper into the uterus, after which it attaches to the endometrial blood supply. While some people experience more bleeding during this phase, a lack of bleeding doesn’t mean the process isn’t successful.
• Fifth day:The implantation is complete, and the embryo develops, as well as the cells that ultimately become the placenta.
• Sixth day: Placenta cells secrete human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) — the hormone picked up in pregnancy tests. To enrich the uterus lining and sustain the growing embryo, the hormone triggers the release of progesterone in the initial trimester.
• Seventh day:The embryo has now become a fetus, more HCG is present in the bloodstream, and the placenta continues to develop.

Improving the chances of successful implantation

Contrary to popular belief, lying in strange positions won’t improve your chances of success. Our recommendation is to relax after your transfer for a day or so. However, this isn’t essential. Avoid taking a hot bath (as the heat can harm the embryo’s progress), don’t lift anything, and don’t indulge in excessive exercise (gentle movement or walking is fine). Moderately warm showers until the ninth or tenth day are advisable. To make the wait easier, most patients focus on work.

Looking to start your family? OC Women’s Surrogacy’s surrogacy programs can help

OC Women’s Surrogacy helps you experience the joy of parenthood by providing you with surrogacy programs. Start your journey of becoming parents now!

Reach out to us now for more information on our gestational surrogate mother!