Embryo Transfer – Know Everything Around It In Brief

When you fail to conceive a child naturally, both of you decide to have medical intervention to become parents of a baby. And for this, you consult a fertility specialist or one of the best IVF doctors in Kathmandu or neighbourhood. After interaction and medical reviews, the doctor recommends you to have a suitable fertility treatment such as IVF, which includes embryo transfer. Here know all about it in brief:

What is an embryo transfer?

Embryo transfer is a procedure used in assisted reproductive technology (ART) in which an embryo created through in vitro fertilisation (IVF) is placed into the uterus of a woman with the goal of achieving a successful pregnancy.

Why does a doctor decommed embryo transfer?

A doctor may recommend embryo transfer as part of assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures, such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF), for couples or individuals who are having difficulty conceiving a child naturally. Embryo transfer is the process of placing one or more embryos into the uterus, where they can implant and develop into a pregnancy. There are several reasons why a doctor may recommend embryo transfer:

Infertility:

If a couple or individual has been trying to conceive for a year or more without success, they may be diagnosed with infertility. Embryo transfer can help these individuals achieve pregnancy by bypassing any fertility issues and placing embryos directly in the uterus.

Low sperm count:

Men with a low sperm count may not be able to fertilise an egg naturally. In these cases, sperm can be collected and used in conjunction with IVF, and then the resulting embryos can be transferred to the uterus.

Fallopian tube issues:

If a woman has damage to her fallopian tubes or has had them removed, she may not be able to conceive naturally. Embryo transfer can help bypass the fallopian tubes and place embryos directly into the uterus.

Genetic disorders:

Some couples may have a high risk of passing on a genetic disorder to their offspring. In these cases, embryos can be screened for genetic abnormalities prior to transfer, and only healthy embryos will be transferred.

Overall, a doctor will recommend embryo transfer after evaluating an individual or couple’s fertility issues and determining that it is a suitable treatment option for them.

Embryo transfer process

Embryo transfer is the final step in the process of in vitro fertilisation (IVF), where an embryo or embryos are placed in the uterus of a woman in order to establish a pregnancy. Here is a general outline of the steps involved in the embryo transfer procedure:

Preparing the uterus:

Prior to embryo transfer, the woman is given medications to prepare the lining of her uterus for implantation. This can involve taking oestrogen and progesterone supplements to thicken the lining and make it more receptive to the embryo.

Choosing the embryos:

The embryos that will be transferred are selected based on a number of factors, including their quality and the number of embryos available.

Preparing the embryos:

The embryos are typically incubated in a laboratory until they reach a certain stage of development. They may be screened for genetic abnormalities or other factors prior to transfer.

Transferring the embryos:

The embryo transfer itself is a relatively simple procedure that does not require anaesthesia. The woman lies on an exam table with her legs in stirrups, and the doctor uses a speculum to visualise the cervix. A catheter is then inserted through the cervix and into the uterus, and the embryos are injected into the uterus using a syringe. The entire process usually takes only a few minutes.

Post-transfer care:

After the transfer, the woman may be instructed to rest for a short period of time, but can usually resume normal activities the same day. She will then be monitored for signs of pregnancy in the coming weeks, and may be given additional medications to support the implantation and growth of the embryos.

It is important to note that the specific details of the embryo transfer procedure may vary depending on the clinic and the individual patient’s circumstances. Your doctor will be able to provide more specific information about what to expect during your particular IVF cycle.

What to expect before, during, and after an embryo transfer

About 2 to 3 days before embryo transfer, doctors select the best egg to transfer into the uterus. Although non-invasive methods such as metabolic profiling are being tested, there are many processes to support selection. Metabolic profiling is the process of selecting the most beneficial eggs based on a number of factors. This may limit the need for future invasive procedures. These eggs are fertilised in the lab and grown for 1-2 days.

If a large number of good quality embryos are generated, embryos that do not transfer can be frozen.