Embryo Transfer and Some Sticky Ideas For Good Luck
In the life of surrogacy, there are several major milestones. These 6 moments are some of the highlighted times that we all anticipate along the journey.
- The decision to become a surrogate
- The time once hopeful parents are matched with their surrogate
- Signing the Gestational Surrogacy Arrangement contract
- Embryo Transfer
- Confirmation of pregnancy
- Birth
Today we are going to focus on the embryo transfer. We have already discussed 6 tricks for taking the fertility medication in order to prep your body for embryo transfer, so today we will discuss further what that means and what’s others have done to make it work!
Let’s start off by answering two major parts to this: what is an embryo and what is an embryo transfer?
An embryo is a fertilized egg that has begun the cell division process. Once the embryo has been created using the egg and sperm, the fertility clinic will place the embryo into the uterus in a quick and painless fashion.
A surrogate will prep her body through the direction of the overseeing fertility clinic. She will take the fertility medication as prescribed, and complete several labs to ensure her body is responding according to plan.
She may also go on bed rest if the fertility doctor believes it to be advantageous for the embryo to successfully implant. Then the waiting begins to check and see if there are a positive pregnancy result and fetal heartbeat!
The embryo transfer is a major part of the process and given that everyone wants to increase their odds of a successful transfer, some people have come up with a few “good luck” strategies in addition to taking the fertility medication and staying on bedrest.
Call it superstition or rituals, but here are the few ideas that most have used:
#1 – Eat Pineapple
Why pineapple you say? The theory goes that the core of a pineapple is full of an enzyme called bromelain. Bromelain has several health benefits including pain relief and acts as a natural blood thinner and anti-inflammatory agent.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine and natural-infertility-info.com, the nutrients found in Bromelain help with blood thinning which may encourage the embryos to stick and reduce the risk of miscarriage, additionally if you are suffering any inflammation it may reduce any inflammation that could prevent implantation from occurring.
Conception may be more likely to happen when there is an inflammatory shift in the immune system.
Although this is widely practiced as a way to try and increase the odds, it can also be consumed in too-high of quantities, and prevent implantation from occurring.
Several surrogates undergoing the IVF process will eat pineapple after the embryo transfer. The best window is for about 10-14 days.
If you are interested in trying this method:
- Purchase a ripe pineapple (organic is always best)
- Remove the exterior
- Slice the pineapple leaving a portion of the core (bromelain is primarily in the core)
- Enjoy one to two slices of pineapple each day for about 10-14 days.
There is no evidence that this is a successful tactic, but for many, it may be worth the try so go ahead and enjoy this tasty fruit!
#2 – Wear warm socks
As silly as it may sound the goal here is to keep your feet warm.
According to Chinese medicine, a “cold” uterus can be connected to poor circulation and blood flow contributing to infertility. That said, some surrogates choose to wear socks during the embryo transfer to prevent body heat from leaving the body, providing a nice cozy place for the embryo to implant and begin to grow.
Whether socks truly contribute to warming your uterus or not, wearing socks certainly can’t hurt so feel free to put on those lucky IVF socks!
#3 – Be prepared in order to prevent stress
A positive and calm mind can go a long way. Thoroughly plan ahead for your embryo transfer.
- Do you have all your medications?
- Do you have a comfortable place to rest and put your feet up for a couple of days?
- Do you have someone to drive you to and from your appointment?
- Do you have a snack and hydration set up next to you?
#4 – Water, Water, Water
Don’t forget to remain hydrated throughout the process.
Proper hydration is vital to your organs, dispersing the fertility hormones, and for that baby to thrive! Once your embryo transfer has taken place it will be important to take it easy and rest, even if the doctor did not put you on official bed rest.
Have a comfortable place you can rest but remember to have water wherever you go.
If you are thinking about surrogacy and would like to take that first step in becoming a surrogate or hopeful parent we would love to hear from you! Contact us today!
