FAQs on the embryo transfer
The embryo transfer is one of the last stations of your Fertility Journey. After this special procedure, a 2-week waiting period will take place before you conduct the pregnancy test. For most of our patients, the implantation of the embryo is one of the most important and beautiful moments along the way. On this day, feelings of hope and happiness are very present. All important information and how to ideally prepare yourself can be found on this page.
We ask you to refrain from visiting the bathroom 30 minutes before your appointment so that your bladder is properly filled for the procedure. Please continue your daily medication as always.
We ask you to refrain from visiting the bathroom 30 minutes before your appointment so that your bladded is properly filled for the procedure. The full bladder means that the uterus is elongated and this makes it easier to place the embryo in the right place.
If you cannot hold it any longer you can go to the toilet and release a bit of urin. Please do not come to the transfer with an empty bladder as this makes the transfer of the embryo harder for our doctors.
No – You can eat and drink normally as no sedation is conducted for this procedure.
You can drive a car on the day of the embryo transfer as you will have no physical limitations after the procedure.
The embryo transfer takes up to 15 minutes. You can go home straight after the procedure but you are welcome to lie down for 10 minutes in the quiet room. You can also go to the toilet immediately after the transfer. Long bed rest or physical restraint do NOT increase your chances of pregnancy.
On the day of the transfer you will receive information from the doctor on which medication to take. Please take them as prescribed until the pregnancy test and in case of a positive result until the 12th week of pregnancy.
Any other medication than the ones presribed should be discussed with us. We ask you to call our doctors in the medical consultation hour (Mo-Thur between 12 and 1pm under the number T +43 1 934 69 79 - 222) in order to discuss this. Should you experience strong pain outside of our telephone hours please call the emergency hotline T +43 1 934 69 79 - 111 in order to speak with the doctor on duty.
If you have a headache you can take 1 tablet of Mexalen.
The reason is the hormonal change due to the treatment. The intake of progesterone (Arefam, Utrogestan, Proluton, Progedex) can - as in every naturalpregnancy - cause a slowed digestion.
Normal side effects can be: flatulence, stomach ache, problems with defecation (more often than usually, pain during defecation, hemorrhoids).
Bleeding before the pregnancy test: If you start bleeding please go to the test at the arranged time anyway. Bleeding does not automatically mean you are not pregnant.
Bleeding after a positive pregnancy test: Please call our medical consultation hour (T +43 1 934 69 79 – 222) and tell us about the bleeding. Then go to a blood test on the next working day in the morning (we recommend: "Ihr Labor" locations) and inform us. An ultrasound is only reasonable 4 weeks after the ovum pick-up as that is the earliest time we can see results.
The medication which you should take after the transfer can prevent the menstrual bleeding. In some cases spotting can occur – in such a case please go to the blood test as arranged. Bleeding does not automatically mean that you are not pregnant.
We recommend that you refrain from intercourse during the days around the embryo transfer (3 days before/after) in order to minimize the risk of infection. After that you can decide depending on your physical wellbeing and pleasure. There are deliberations that nidation can be supported by intercourse.
Bathing and swimming in lakes, pools or in the ocean is ok. Showers and short, not too hot, baths at home are no problem. In the case of thermal baths and whirlpools it should be remembered that the warm water is an ideal breeding ground for germs which is why we advise against it or recommend the use of special tampons for swimming.
Because of the resulting heat development and physical exertion it should be refrained from using solarium or lying in the direct sun. During pregnancy this can lead to dark pigment spots developing on the face and stomach.
If you visited the sauna regularly before the treatment then you can continue. However, the heat should not be too high in order to prevent physical exertion. Please remember to drink a sufficient amount of fluids. Steam baths are no problem.
There are no objections to 1 or 2 cups of coffee per day. The same goes for black and green tea, all other teas can be consumed without limitation.
If you have not managed to quit smoking by now please do so immediately. Smoking leads to bad circulation in the ovaries and can inhibit the development of the endometrium. This leads to a decrease in the success rate of up to 25% in fertility treatment patients. In addition, smokers experience an abortion twice as often.
Please also consider the fine dust exposure in your immediate surroundings (living area) and make sure the curtains, carpets and pillows are cleaned. The negative effects of passive smoking can be tremendous.
Alcohol has a negative influence on the fertility of women and men. The time until pregnancy occurs is significantly prolonged and the risk of miscarriage increases greatly. It is also important for men to limit alcohol consumption, as it can significantly reduce the quality and number of sperm cells. This already has an effect with a consumption of one or more alcoholic drinks per day or seven alcoholic drinks per week.
It has been shown that alcohol, even in small amounts, can lead to a disturbance of the child's development and to pregnancy complications. We therefore advise you to avoid alcohol during fertility treatment, pregnancy and breastfeeding.
The metall detectors at the airport are not dangerous. Flights are not a problem in our opinion. For longer flights please consider the administration of Lovenox to prevent the risk of thrombosis.
If your questions have not yet been answered, please take a look into our measures to be taken after the procedure: DOWNLOADS