Comments on: Everything you need to know about Embryo Transfers

By: Donna

Donna — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 22:38:00 +0000

Hi. I had an embryo transfer today. This is my second IVF. My first embryo transfer went off smoothly. Today, it didn’t go too well. In all I think it took about 10-15 minutes and it was with my primary RE. He had trouble locating where things were even though he was using the ultrasound. The tech had to point out what was what on the screen. Needless to say this did not boost my confidence and frankly I panicked. I experienced a fair bit of cramping and pain (cramping first in my cervix but then in other places). Eventually he transferred but the amount of pain I experienced this time has me concerned. My first embryo transfer was with another RE in the practice and was fine. I’m a bit surprised b/c my RE is experienced and well respected. Should I be concerned?

By: Danielle

Danielle — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:17:00 +0000

I haven’t had a chance to talk to my doctor. I have an appointment in a couple weeks. A different doctor in the practice did the transfer. The look on his face showed that this was definately not typical. I will ask them to map out my cervix and do a practice transfer first. Thanks!

By: Tinag1974

Tinag1974 — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 13:23:00 +0000

Sorry…the end should say- Does this protocol sound normal given the circumstances? The woman at the agency we are using has never heard of putting a stitch in (but she also hasn’t heard of someone having a hard time with those procedures either..)

By: Tinag1974

Tinag1974 — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 13:19:00 +0000

My husband and I are using a gestational carrier with a FET cycle Our carrier had her sonogram and saline sonogram and everything was normal Apparently, she has a retroverted uterus and the rotor wash’t able to get the catheter in during the mock transfer (she was completely freaking out on the table yelling from the time he put te speculum in). He didn’t want to continue since it a was obvious she was completely uncomfortable. My doctor now wants to put in a stitch 2-3 days before the transfer so he can pull it during the transfer instead of using a longer speculum, which he tried but she started screaming. Everyone involved in this process is surprised that she was so uncomfortable with the procedure since she’s done it all before (this is her second carrier cycle) and she’s had 3 vaginal births and one c-section. Does this portico sound normal given the circumstances? The woman at the agency we are using has never heard o putting a attic (but she also hasn’t heard of someone having such a hard time with those procedures either…

By: Terence Ivfmd Lee

Terence Ivfmd Lee — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 03:26:00 +0000

What did your doctor say? Was your transfer a pretty routine reflection of how his transfers typically are? Or did he think yours was particularly challenging? If he replies that all his transfers are like that, then it probably wasn’t anything unusual. However, if he says it was different, then he might want to do a practice transfer before your next cycle. Hopefully, you have some frozen embryos and have better luck on the next one. You might ask him to map out your cervix before placing the frozen embryos. Good luck!

By: Danielle

Danielle — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 03:12:00 +0000

I am 26 and healthy. We have male factor infertility. My husband had the TESA procedure. Our first IVF with ICSI failed. My lab work and uterus looked great. We transfered 2 blastocysts.The embryo transfer took 20 minutes and the doctor had a hard time getting the catheter into my uterus. This was very painful. He used an instrument to try to open it to fit the catheter in. The lab tech had to transfer the blastocysts into a smaller catheter to be able to do the transfer. Does this damage the embryos? Would doing a practice transfer have avoided this problem? Do you think that this was a big factor in why the transfer didn’t work? Just wanted to see what you thought. Thanks

By: IVF-MD

IVF-MD — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 11:03:36 +0000

Ask your RE how easy your transfers were. If he knew exactly which way your uterus was oriented, then he can compensate for it at the time of the transfer. As far as regular intercourse is concerned, there is not evidence that lying on your stomach or even lying upside down is of any benefit afterwards. With IUI, it’s a different story and lying upside immediately afterwards may be of benefit.

By: michelle

michelle — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 21:44:29 +0000

My husband and I attempted 4 IFVs without success. We went to one of the most respected specialists in the Chicagoland area. A month later I went for a routine gyne exam and he told me I have an inverted cervix. Is this something that could have impacted the transfers? The doctor never once mentioined the cervix’s placement. He used imaging for each of the transfers, so I’m assuming this is something he saw, but is there the chance that they failed due to the cervix? Is there also a chance why we haven’t been able to concieve in the first place? The gyne told me to start laying on my stomach after sex so the sperm could enter the “pool” that they haven’t been able to enter when I lie on my back. Just wanted to get your opinion. Thanks!

By: Linda

Linda — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:06:27 +0000

Thank you for this very informative article. I am 30 years old and am having my first FET this October. I did not get to have a fresh ET because of OHSS-IVF resulted in a freeze all cycle. I have 5 perfect frozen blastocyst. A little history on me, I have had 5 failed IUI’s…not sure if the sperm could not pentrate the eggs because all my eggs were fertilized with ICSI. For all the IUI’s I had a different RE do the procedure (same clinic difference RE’s) I think they work in a rotating schedule. I was never told however, I think my cervix is tipped to the left because each RE had trouble getting the catheter through my cervix (one RE used a clamp-very painful). I did have a trial transfer for the IVF and my assigned RE did again have trouble and had to use a second catheter. I am now not sure which RE will do my FET ET, I am afraid I will not get a BFP because they will have the same problem again. As a medical professional, would you be offended I point this out to my RE and nurse? I am sure they make notes, but I feel like I need to be my own advocate. Thank you!

By: maureen

maureen — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:58:27 +0000

I am 44 years old and in April 17, 2009, I had my first ivf transter (my own 3 eggs). The new doctor on the day of transfer was shocked to see that my cervix was tilted backwards (I told him when I first met him that my cervix was titled backwards and to see my medical records from my previous fertility doctor who confirmed it. On the day of transfer, he had to use a tenaculum which was painfully excrutiating.I was screaming in pain for him to stop and I kept going in and out of consciousness. The embryos fell out on the 1st week. I had cramps from the start of the embryo transfer. I just consulted with a 2nd fertiltiy doctor and he is promising not to use a tenaculum. what do you think?