In conclusion, choosing the right sleeping position after IVF treatment can potentially improve the chances of success. The recommended position is to sleep on your left side, as it helps increase blood flow to the uterus and may improve embryo implantation.
Best Sleeping Position after IVF to Increase Success Rate
No matter what trimester you are in, sleeping on your side is your most comfortable posture. During the first three months of pregnancy, it is possible to sleep in any position without risk.
There is no sleeping position after the embryo transfer has been done in an IVF treatment. Make sure to keep the bedroom temperature at around 60 to 70 degrees F, depending on what makes you comfortable and helps you to get a good night sleep.
Hygiene: Avoid tampons, vaginal douches, tub baths (showers are fine), and/or swimming for 7 days following your egg retrieval. Avoid hot tubs, hot baths, and saunas until you see your obstetrician. Sexual Relations: Sexual intercourse may be uncomfortable following your egg retrieval.
On the day after your retrieval, it is important to protect your ovaries: – Do not do any heavy exercise or high-impact activities such as running. – You may walk or do other light activities that you usually do. For 2 weeks after your retrieval, do not have sexual intercourse.
Plan to rest comfortably for a day or two afterwards. Some cramping and bloating is to be expected, and perhaps even some light spotting. You'll also need to limit physical activity for up to three days after transfer.
Many doctors recommend not exercising at all during the week of egg retrieval. During that stage of treatment, your ovaries are enlarged from being stimulated and exercise may increase the risk of a rare condition called ovarian torsion.
You should not plan to do any work on the day of egg retrieval. Many women do return to work the next day, while others also rest the day following the retrieval. You may feel some pelvic heaviness or soreness and cramping. It is okay to take Tylenol, but you should avoid ibuprofen (i.e. Advil, Motrin).
Typically, egg donors can take Tylenol or Ibuprofen to help relieve any discomfort they are feeling after retrieval. However, intended mothers are advised not to take Ibuprofen as it may block prostaglandin production which will interfere with the implantation process.
A way to minimize the effects of OHSS involves consuming sodium rich foods for a few days post retrieval to help draw the extra fluid out of your ovaries.
As a general rule of thumb, once you get your period about 2 weeks after the egg retrieval, the ovaries have usually shrunk and it is safe to resume normal activities.
Some discomfort such as bloating or cramps is common after egg retrieval. Your doctor will let you know what pain medications are best to use after the egg retrieval procedure. Weight gain is also normal for some women and is usually caused by water retention or extra fluid in the ovaries.
We encourage patients to avoid any strenuous activity for at least two to three days to avoid risk of bleeding or ovarian torsion after egg retrieval.
Most OHSS symptoms will resolve themselves 7-10 days after fertility treatment. If your fertility treatment is successful and you become pregnant, your symptoms could last up to a few weeks.
"You may have pain because egg retrieval is a surgery. The ovaries are much bigger than normal from the medication, and you place a needle into them," explains Dr. Roth. Some patients also have a negative reaction to the anesthesia, which comes with symptoms like fatigue, nausea, and vomiting.
Mild to moderate cramping and abdominal pain are common side effects of IVF treatment. The medications used during IVF treatment trigger hormonal changes that can lead to cramping. Some of the procedures performed during the IVF process, particularly egg retrieval and embryo transfer, are also known to cause cramping.
Cleansing: You will be able to bathe the morning of your egg retrieval but should avoid wearing lotion, make-up, or any jewelry to your surgery. If you choose to wash your hair, please make sure that it is dry when you arrive so that we can keep you as warm as possible while you are in surgery.
Rights around IVF
You don't have to tell your employer at this stage but if you do, then you're protected by pregnancy laws from this point onwards. That means you're entitled to time off for antenatal appointments.
In general, an average of 8 to 14 eggs are typically retrieved from a woman's ovaries with IVF; however, its ultimately not the number of eggs that matter but the quality. 1 high quality egg is better than 20 poor quality eggs when it comes to success rates.
As there is no need for complete bed rest after the embryo transfer, you can climb up and down the stairs.
On the day before your retrieval, avoiding sugary foods, red meat, caffeine, sodium-heavy foods and the like can greatly increase your odds of having a successful retrieval without complications.
Does IVF increase weight? Slight weight gain during IVF treatment (5–10 pounds) is considered absolutely normal. Contrary to popular belief, an increase in body weight is most often caused by hormonal changes and water retention during ovarian stimulation (not IVF itself).
As Marianne discovered, the pressure required to visualize the uterus during the transfer can create an unintended consequence: peeing on the table. According to our clinical staff, she is not alone, and this occurs on average 1 to 2 times per week. So please, don't feel embarrassed!
You can expect to experience some pain after egg retrieval, including bloating, mild soreness in the vaginal area, slight abdominal cramping, or some spotting, which can last a couple of days. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as Tylenol or ibuprofen, will help. Most women feel back to normal by the next day.