During embryo transfer we place the best unaffected embryos into your uterus. This is a much simpler procedure than egg collection and there is no need for an anaesthetic. An ACU nurse will give you instructions on how to prepare for this procedure.
During the procedure, we use an ultrasound scan through your tummy to help us to transfer the embryos where they have the highest chance of implanting. A speculum, which is the instrument also used during a smear test, is placed in your vagina to clearly see your cervix (neck of the uterus). The outside of your cervix is cleaned and any mucus from inside your cervical canal is removed. This mucus might prevent the embryos getting to where we want them to be in the uterus.
The soft catheter, which holds the embryo(s), is inserted into your uterus. When we are happy that the catheter is in the best position, the embryos are gently injected. The catheter is then removed and checked to make sure all of the embryo(s) have been replaced. This process takes about 15 minutes. It is generally painless although the main discomfort is that the scan probes pushes down on your bladder which needs to be full for the procedure.
How many embryos will be transferred?
Current HFEA| guidelines allow us to transfer a maximum of two embryos in women who are under 40 years of age.
The number of embryos transferred is limited to lower the risk of a multiple pregnancy. Triplet pregnancies have a significantly increased risk of complications including miscarriage, high blood pressure and premature birth and even twins have more problems with delivery and at birth. Premature babies have an increased risk of complications, such as a weakened immune system, physical and mental disability and feeding and breathing difficulties.
What happens after embryo transfer?
You will know if the treatment has been successful 10-12 days after embryo transfer.
We appreciate that this wait can be difficult for many people. Please do not be tempted to perform a pregnancy test earlier than advised. The hCG injection can stay in your blood stream for eight to 10 days and this will make the test positive, even if you are not pregnant. Please continue to take progesterone by inserting a suppository into the vagina each night or by an injection, every other day.
Unfortunately, there is no evidence that anything you do at this stage will increase the chance of you becoming pregnant. We encourage you to return to work but you may prefer to have a few days off around the time of transfer. Having a bath or sexual intercourse is not known to affect the chances of pregnancy.
What happens if there are spare normal embryos?
It is possible to freeze embryos from a PGD cycle for later use. A frozen embryo, which has been thawed, is less likely to implant into the lining of the uterus than a fresh embryo, especially when it has been biopsied. We are selective about the embryos we choose to freeze but we will attempt to freeze any unaffected embryos that are suitable. Embryos are frozen at an extremely low temperature, which makes sure they do not deteriorate over the number of years they are stored. Even if you get pregnant in your initial attempt at treatment, you may wish to use frozen embryos, if possible, to expand your family at a later date. If you have frozen embryos, it is essential that you keep in touch with us to let us know what you wish to do with them and tell us of any changes of address.
Frozen embryo cycle
In a Frozen Embryo Replacement Cycle (FERC) we thaw your frozen embryos and transfer any that are suitable into your uterus. A PGD doctor or embryologist will discuss with you how many embryos are to be thawed in any one attempt. Our survival rate is good following thawing, but not all embryos will survive this process. An advantage of a frozen cycle is that we do not need to use hormone injections to stimulate the ovaries nor do any further genetic testing of the embryos.
For more information about FERC, please speak to a member of our team.
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