Embryo transfer

Embryos are transferred back into the uterus three to five days after the day of egg collection. This is a very important stage of the treatment and the skill with which the embryo transfer is performed is critical in determining the success of treatment. The embryo transfer is usually a completely painless procedure similar to having a cervical smear test. A maximum of two embryos can be transferred back into the uterus. The embryos are placed in the middle of the cavity of the uterus and the procedure takes just a few minutes. The embryos do not implant (embed) in the uterus straight away. This only occurs four or five days later but there is no danger of them dropping out of the uterus when you stand up!

To make the lining of the uterus as receptive as possible to the embryos you will be given progesterone pessaries. These should be commenced the day before the egg collection and taken every day until a pregnancy test is performed 12 days after the embryo transfer. If you are pregnant, these pessaries will be continued until 10 to 12 weeks of pregnancy.