Infertility, whether explained or not, can have a huge impact on the happiness and wellbeing of couples and even their relationship stability. Procreation is a base instinct for the human species and not being able to fulfil it can result in misery, loss of identity and a feeling of failure.
This is why the IVF procedure is so important to patients undergoing it. It’s possible for this type of fertility treatment to achieve something which some human bodies cannot do alone. It is truly a miracle process, hence Team Miracle in the Cyprus IVF Centre.
Some parts of IVF are seen as more critical than others. Egg retrieval for example is perceived by the patient as more important than hormone injections and this is because there is a tangible result upon which the success of the whole IVF procedure relies. Following this logic, it’s easy to see why the embryo transfer process is identified by many women as being the single most important part of their IVF treatment. Therefore, it’s very natural to be concerned about how to behave afterwards, what you can and can’t do and what will increase your chances of a successful pregnancy.
Unfortunately, there are so many pieces of inaccurate advice which are floating around, that sometimes it can be very hard to determine exactly what is ok and what is not. Put simply, there is very little that you cannot do after embryo transfer has taken place and during the two week wait for your pregnancy test results.
Do’s and Don’t’s:
- No extreme activity. This means extreme sports like climbing, abseiling and bungee-jumping, but it also includes exhausting gym routines. Your body is preparing to grow a little person inside it, give it a break!
- Bed rest. Some women think that they must have complete bed rest during the 2 week wait. It’s advisable that you relax your daily routine slightly and take care of yourself, but you do not need to rest in bed. The embryo is held in place by opposing forces in the endometrium, regardless of whether you’re lying down or not
- Gentle exercise. This is important. A little gentle exercise can benefit the blood flow around the body and it’s a great way to lift spirits and motivate yourself. This can include swimming, walking, cycling, etc. As long as it’s not too strenuous, it’s good for you and your precious embryo.
- No alcohol. It may seem obvious but all alcohol is to be avoided.
- Safe food. Follow the food guidelines for early pregnancy. This is erring on the side of caution, but it’s still a good idea.
- Vitamin supplements. It’s advisable to take the vitamin supplements that are recommended for early pregnancy.
- No hot baths, showers or Jacuzzis. In fact, it’s important not to let yourself become too hot at all. This includes things like sunbathing, saunas and steam rooms as well as baths and showers.
- Don’t panic about spotting. This can be caused by a number of things and does not mean that the implantation process has failed. Spotting happens as a result of egg retrieval, injections, hormone supplements and stress. And it can also happen as implantation is occurring. So there’s really no need to worry if you notice spotting during your two week wait.
- Minimise lifting. Again, approach lifting heavy items with caution. Your body has an important job to do, so take care not to strain it in any way. This is also true for any exhausting activity.
- Stay positive! Keeping a positive outlook can do wonders for your state of mind. As well as keeping you calm and focused, staying positive reduces stress and the negative effects which that can have on your body.
- Relax as much as possible. This is one area where you will benefit from having your IVF treatment done in North Cyprus. The fact that you are away from home and away from normal work and domestic duties means that you really do have the ability to switch off and stay relaxed. In addition, if you do have any questions or concerns then you know that you are never far from the North Cyprus IVF clinic.
- Sleep well. Make sure that your body gets the rest it needs. The hours before midnight give better quality sleep than the hours after midnight so aim for early nights and peaceful sleep.
- Eat well and stay hydrated. In other words, look after your body as much as possible. Eat a sensible diet and drink plenty of water.
Ultimately, IVF and particularly the embryo transfer can be a stressful time. Accept this stress as a natural part of the process and don’t dwell on it. Apart from a few things, there isn’t a lot that you shouldn’t be doing immediately after the transfer. If you look after your body, your body will look after the embryo. And finally, if the treatment doesn’t work, it will NOT have been your fault. There are a number of reasons why an embryo may fail to implant, but by following the advice above you can maximise your chances of successful IVF treatment in North Cyprus.