We are doing a FET (frozen embryo transfer) next week with embryos created using donor eggs, we have adopted these embryos. We tried IVF several months ago with a doctor I love and really respect. With IVF my doctor had me on 4 days modified bed rest after the embryo transfer and I have heard of doctors that do 5 days total bed rest. My transfer next week is with a doctor I do not know well but they do not have you on bed rest at all after the transfer. I guess my question is what is your experience with a frozen embryo transfer, bed rest or no bed rest? THANK YOU!!!
Bed Rest after Embryo Transfer. At least 2-3 days. My RE always did a minimum of 2, but if you could swing it he preferred longer. If you can do it, just rest for at least 2 days...no stairs, etc.
Good luck!!
My husband and I did a fresh transfer and an FET, both unsuccessful and I did bed rest. Here's the deal - what's going to make you feel better about things? What's going to make you feel like you did all you could? If it's going through your normal routine, then do it. If it's sitting down, laying down, taking it easy, then do that! I hope you are blessed with a great bundle of joy in about 9 months!!!
I have done IVF twice - one fresh cycle and one frozen. The first was 7 years ago and the other about 5. It is such an evolving field because in scientific terms it is relatively new. I noticed that protocols changed between my first and second attempt and from what I've heard, they continue to evolve as more data are collected. When I did my first round of IVF, they had us do 3 days of bedrest. By the second time, they said it really wasn't necessary. Sometimes procedures that made sense in theory have not been born out by the research. That being said, I really took it easy for a few days anyway. The way my mind worked - if the transfer didn't take, I just didn't want regrets - I wanted to feel like I had done everything in my power to increase every chance of success. I do realize, however, that that is a purely emotional reason and that in reality, it made no difference. The truth is that bed rest won't hurt you - and if you have the ability to do it without great difficulty, it may give you some peace of mind. But if your responsibilities make it really difficult, I wouldn't worry about it. This whole process is stressful enough - I would do the thing that would minimize the stress as much as possible. Best wishes!
We did a FET with no bedrest and got pg! I think she had me lie down for about 1/2 after the transfer. Just remember that all the people that get pg naturally don't have to have bedrest.
C., we get questions like this one on regular basis. There is no difference between instructions for patients who have frozen embryos and those with fresh embryos. Here is what our doctors recommend. The most important thing for the patient after the transfer is to abstain from physical activities for at least a day or two. Moreover, our doctors recommend not to get overheated. That is, do not use hot baths, saunas, hot tubs or anything of that nature so that your body temperature does not go up. Do not walk to long or be up during the first day or two. If you have to be up, take 10-15 minute breaks after every hour. Lastly, when you are in bed, assume a comfortable position and change positions periodically. You don’t want to have your body to go numb. If you need to travel, traveling is allowed after two days.
Don't hesitate to send me a note, if you have any other questions.
If you are able to, do the bedrest. It can't hurt! I have a friend that just had a transfer and she was still told to do her "princess days". Her's was 2, but again, if you can, why not?
Hi C. N.,
We did IVF and were successful on our third try. We froze the rest of our embroyos to use. When we did FET (about two years later) I was on three day bed rest. So it seems you are doing a fresh cycle with donated embroyos from a donor, is that right? Or have the embroyos been frozen for awhile? I would say in either case you should do bedrest and keep your body rested and quiet during the initial implantation phase (some say 3 - 5 days). Good luck and I wish you the best!
give it at least 48 hrs (i stayed on bedrest for 3 days, my choice). just to up your chances. good luck
I'm a Registered Nurse undergoing IVF with a wonderful office and just finished my embryo transfer a couple of days ago. My MD has the embryologist as the key person to give all aftercare instructions on bedrest and states she knows best how to take care of embryo's. Our embryologist explained that if the embryo's are grade "C" or below they transfer on day 3 after harvest and you have 5 days bedrest. If they are the ideal grades "A" or "B", they transfer them on day 5 and you have 3 days of bedrest. Of course instructions may be different for a frozen transfer that I'm unaware of. Our embryologist said the most important thing on bedrest is to keep the uterus "quiet". No lifting or straining, only very light activity and emotional stress to a minimum. My personal opinion is it doesn't seem like a bad idea to keep yourself stress-free physically and emotionally for more versus less days. I hope this helps and good luck! :).
