Moving toward embryo transfer is both exciting and emotional. Before the procedure, your doctor will meet with you to review a detailed plan. In our practice, we generally recommend transferring one best-quality embryo at a time to maximize success while minimizing risks. However, in some cases, a personalized plan will be created based on individual factors such as:

  • Age
  • Uterine lining development
  • Overall health
  • Number and quality of embryos available

Procedure:

  • Embryo transfer is performed in the doctor’s office.
  • A specially designed catheter containing the predetermined number of embryos is gently inserted into the uterine cavity.
  • The embryo(s) are carefully released at the spot with the highest implantation potential.

After the transfer:

  • You may experience mild cramping or abdominal discomfort—these are normal responses to hormonal changes.
  • After a frozen embryo transfer (FET), treat yourself as if you are pregnant.
  • Avoid:
    • Hot baths, hot tubs, or any activity that raises core body temperature
    • Sexual intercourse
    • High-impact exercise
  • Follow a healthy lifestyle:
    • Eat nutritious foods
    • Avoid alcohol, recreational or medicinal drugs, marijuana, and excessive caffeine

Pregnancy Test

The two-week wait after transfer is often the most challenging part of the process.

  • In our practice:
    • Day 3 embryo transfer: Blood pregnancy test scheduled 14 days later
    • Day 5 embryo transfer: Blood pregnancy test scheduled 12 days later

Why not test early?
We discourage taking home urine pregnancy tests before the scheduled date because of the risk of false negatives, which can be emotionally discouraging and misleading.
Blood tests provide the most accurate and reliable results. While waiting can be difficult, it ensures that the results truly reflect your pregnancy status.