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Is bed rest needed after embryo transfer?

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9 fertility expert(s) answered this question

Answer from: Raúl Olivares, MD

Gynaecologist, Medical Director & Owner
Barcelona IVF
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No, it isn’t. We do not recommend bed rest after the embryo transfer because there is no evidence that it increases the implantation rate. In some cases, it could be even more stressful for patients than leading a normal life.

In regard to this, there is a study that has been carried out many years ago. A clinic was cancelled due to ethical reasons. The group of patients who remained at the clinic, and they were in a bed-rest had significantly worse pregnancy rates, than those that went back home and started leading a completely normal life.

A couple of hours of relative rest or even on the same day, not in bed, you can stay at home, avoid some physical efforts, and that’s it. Whatever happens afterwards is going to happen regardless of what you do.

Answer from: Patricio Calamera, MD, MSc, ObGyn

Gynaecologist, Specialist in Reproductive Medicine
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Well, no there’s no bed rest needed after the embryo transfer and of course, our patients after the transfer, they stay for a couple of minutes and then they get back home. So, no – there is no need.

Answer from: Rami Wakim, MD FRCOG FACOG FICS

Gynaecologist, Consultant in Reproductive Medicine
Phoenix Hospital Group
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There isn’t any kind of data to say that bed rest is recommended and these days we are against this. It has a lot of complications as compared to activity. That’s why within the actual embryo transfer and after that, you are allowed to stay on the couch for 20-30 minutes, and then you can have normal activity. What bed rest does is increasing your complications regarding blood clots. This is the main contraindication to bed rest. As you know, like preparing for pregnancy, with all the medications that you have as well, and the egg collection that you had, we have rather more viscous blood than normal. That’s why there is the recommendation of you drinking plenty to avoid this kind of complication.

During the actual embryo transfer, we do not need extended bed rest in order to make sure that the implantation is more successful. If you are having a normal daily activity, that’s recommended. And please avoid prolonged bed rest. We don’t want you to be resting a lot in bed.

Answer from: Santiago Eduardo Novoa, MD

Gynaecologist, specialised in Reproductive Medicine
Instituto iGin
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After an embryo transfer you should continue with your normal life in general. There is no need to rest in the bed, there is no need to stay at home without doing anything. You can go and perform your daily work. The thing that you have to have in mind is that you need to continue with the treatment related with the IVF, without forgetting your progesterone, for example, or any other medication that has been prescribed by your doctor. Try to continue with your normal life without forgetting what is important in terms of treatment.

Answer from: Marcel Štelcl, MUDr, PhD

Gynaecologist, Chief Physician
ReproGenesis
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You should know that the embryo at the blastocyst stage is quite adhesive. So you can’t lose the embryo by mechanical activities. So usual mechanical conditions are not important for the implantation of the embryo. It’s something like a biochemical, biophysical game in the uterus, but normal mechanical conditions are not important. So I don’t recommend staying in bed, because it’s quite stressful, and it doesn’t help implantation. Staying in bed is not good for your health and for your head.  I don’t know how, but it’s very important. So staying in bed is not good.

Answer from: Ali Enver Kurt, MD

Gynaecologist, Specialist in Obstetrics & Gynecology
Vita Altera IVF Center
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Here in our clinic, we advise the patients to have a little bit of rest on the day of the transfer only. From the next day, you can resume your normal daily activities. We don’t want to depress the patients, this is a highly important thing, but heavy exercise and sexual intercourse are not allowed.

Answer from: Carleen Heath, Clinical Embryologist, Dip. RC Path

Embryologist, Laboratory Manager
GENNET City Fertility
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No, best rest is not needed after embryo transfer.  You may be given some minutes to rest on the embryo transfer bed after the procedure is complete, but it is not essential to the outcome of your treatment cycle.

Answer from: Raquel Arévalo Jiménez, Biologist with a Master degree in Human Fertility

Embryologist, Junior Embriologist
ReproMed Ireland
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Directly after an embryo transfer sometimes it is recommended to lay down for 10-15 minutes before getting up but in some cases it is not recommended and after an embryo transfer, once you go home it is not recommended to lay down all day, i is recommended to do regular activities, to move your body and do not stay flat for several hours.

Answer from: Delphine Dewandre, Embryologist

Embryologist, Senior Embryologist
Beacon CARE Fertility
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I don’t think so. Your embryo is brought into your uterus and it’s not gonna go out if you stand up or do something. It’s like really in an organ. It’s the same if you eat food it’s not gonna come out right away if you just stand up or do something. It’s really in the organ itself so there’s really nothing to be worried about. As well in the transfer itself when they push an embryo. They’ll leave you waiting like 30 seconds in order for the embryo to settle down. Don’t worry about that. You can stand up and just go to the bathroom if you need to. There’s really no problem at all. The embryo won’t come out that easily.

About this question:

Should I rest in bed just after embryo transfer, and how long?

Is bed rest after ET recommended by clinicians? If so, how much rest do I need? How important is it to rest after ET, or is it harmful?

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