Some women often suffer from infertility conditions. It is a rare medical condition in which they are not able to get pregnant after years. This problem can develops at any age. However, it mainly affect those females who are age between 20’s to 40’s. As result, women experiences several symptoms such as menstrual irregularities, pelvic pain, vaginal bleeding, etc. There are various treatment options for this health issue in which embryo transfer surgery is one of them. This surgical approach involves the implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterus. It is recommended when natural fertilization is difficult or not possible. This procedure treats different health conditions and can be a better option for patients.

Types of Embryo Transfer

This surgical procedure is of different kinds. These include the following:

Frozen Transfer: During this surgery, the frozen embryos are implanted into the uterus, which supports women’s pregnancy. It may be performed during a menstrual cycle.
Fresh Transfer: It transfer embryos to the uterus after the fertilization process. This procedure does not require general anesthesia and may take 15 to 30 minutes.
Donor Transfer: In this procedure, one or two embryos will be transferred into the uterus. It is applicable for treating gonadal dysgenesis, iatrogenic ovarian failure, etc, in patients.
Blastocyst Transfer: An embryo is cultured to a blastocyst stage through a specialized culture medium, and then it transfers into the uterus.
Cleavage Stage Transfer: In this surgery, the embryos are transferred at a cleavage stage, that is, three days after fertilization.

Who is Eligible for this Embryo Transfer Surgery?

A female patient might be eligible for this surgical procedure if she experiences the following problems:

Premature ovarian failure
Damage or blockage in fallopian tube
Ovulation disorders
Unexplained fertility
Uterine fibroids
Endometriosis
Genetic disorders
Impaired sperm production

Women with chromosomal abnormalities are not suggested for this surgery. They must consult with a relevant doctor for its treatment.

Benefits of Embryo Transfer

The advantages of this surgical approach are as follows:

It performs preimplantation genetic testing, which helps to minimize the risk of inherited genetic diseases and miscarriages in female patients.
This surgery is cost-effective and can be beneficial for couples.
The rate of multiple pregnancies is also minimized from this surgical method.
It lowers the risk in both mother and baby.

Risks and Complications of Embryo Transfer Surgery

This surgery is considered safe, but it leads to different complications. These include the following:

Vaginal Spotting
Ovarian torsion
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
Ectopic pregnancy
Mild cramping
Birth defects
Miscarriage
Premature delivery
Low birth weight
Bleeding and infection
Damage in bowel, bladder or blood vessels

Procedure of Embryo Transfer Treatment

Look at the procedure of this surgery:

Before Procedure

The following things can be expected before the surgery:

The fertility or oral medication drugs might be prescribed for females.
A patient can take caffeine in a small amount. The excessive quantity will have a negative impact on him or her.
Smoking and alcohol must be avoided for women.
A high fat and low-carb diet is recommended for female individuals. They are also suggested to drink water for their overall health.
The scented products, such as perfumes, lotions, and shower gels, must be prohibited since they contain organic compounds, which are harmful for embryos.
The loose clothes must be worn before the surgical procedure. A patient feel discomfort when wearing tight clothes. It also troubles a surgeon to access the abdomen.
The stress levels must be lowered before embryo transfer surgery. It can only be possible through meditation or other gentle relaxation techniques.

During Procedure

The steps will be performed during the surgical procedure are as follows:

A doctor suggests the patient to come for ultrasound test with a full bladder.
The gauze instrument will be used for rubbing the cervix. It should be dipped in saline and culture media.
An outer catheter is passed through the cervix and into the uterus.
The inner catheter is loaded with embryos and then it threaded into the outer catheter.
After threading, the embryos must be released slowly into the uterus.
A catheter must be checked to confirm that all the embryos are released. It then removed gently after 10 seconds.

After the removal of a catheter, a female patient lies down on the table for 20 to 30 minutes. She will be taken into a recovery room, and their vital signs should be monitored.

After Procedure

After embryo transfer surgery, women are suggested to go home in a same day. They must avoid certain things such as strenuous activities, lifting heavy objects, etc, which becomes risky in case of enlarged ovaries. Some of them might suffer from different side effects. These include the following:

Bloating
Constipation
Tenderness in the breast
Mood swings
Headaches

These side effects are mild and can be subsided over time. You can consult with a relevant doctor for infections, twisted ovaries, or other severe problems.

A blood sample will be taken for the identification of pregnancy. If it comes positive, then a doctor recommends prenatal care for female patients. The progesterone medicine will be stopped, and another IVF cycle will be attempted in case of negative blood group.