Congratulations! You have successfully completed your IVF procedure. Now, the next step is to wait for your pregnancy results.
During this time, you will be anxious about what you can and cannot do. You have finally undergone IVF after much struggle. It is normal to be scared about affecting your chances by doing something you shouldn’t.
Bending is one of those activities that most women have a dilemma on after embryo transfer. In this article, we’ll clarify whether bending after embryo transfer affects your IVF results and discuss some of the activities you should avoid after embryo transfer.
No Bending After Embryo Transfer: Why?
“Will my embryo fall out if I bend after embryo transfer?”
This is one of the main reasons why women fear bending after embryo transfer. They feel that their embryo will fall out of their uterus if they move too much.
This is a myth and is not true. Your embryo won’t fall off or be affected if you bend after embryo transfer. However, it is best to limit your movements and not do too much physical activity for some time after embryo transfer.
During embryo transfer, the embryo will be inserted deep into the uterus, and it will reach the uterine lining and start the implantation process soon after. You only need to rest in bed for about 20–30 minutes after the procedure.
You can resume your daily activities, but make sure they are light and don’t do any strenuous activities. Apart from this, your body and fertility also play a role in IVF success. So, stay calm and hope for the best.
Activities To Avoid And Alternatives
Though bending occasionally won’t affect your IVF success, there are some activities that can have a negative impact on your pregnancy. These activities can potentially affect embryo implantation and decrease your chances of having a successful pregnancy.
Let’s look at some of those activities and discuss some alternative methods you can follow to decrease their impact on your pregnancy.
Avoid vigorous physical activity
As we discussed, bending occasionally or doing other light activities won’t affect the embryo. However, doing vigorous activities like running, jumping, high-intensity workouts, lifting heavy weights, etc., can affect embryo implantation.
Alternatives
If you want to keep your body moving, do some mild exercises, walking, yoga, and meditation instead of activities that will pressure your body.
Avoid sexual intercourse for a few days
There are mixed opinions about having sex after an embryo transfer. Some doctors say not to have sex, and some argue that sex won’t have any impact on your results.
However, as a safe bet, it is recommended to abstain from sexual intercourse for a few days after embryo transfer. This is because sex can cause uterine contractions and affect implantation rates.
Alternatives
Engage in relaxing activities like massage, meditation, etc. Consult your doctor and know how many days you have to abstain from sexual intercourse.
Avoid exposure to harmful chemicals
There are certain chemicals in certain products that can affect your hormone levels and affect your chances of pregnancy. These chemicals are commonly called EDCs (Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals).
Some examples of EDCs are parabens, phthalates, triclosan, bisphenol A (BPA), etc. These chemicals can be found in common household items. So avoid using them.
Alternatives
Choose organic products that use organic and natural ingredients. Always check the ingredient list in a product and ensure they are free of all the EDCs discussed above.
Avoid hot baths or swimming pools
Your uterus needs to be at a certain temperature to implant the uterus and nurture its development. Taking hot baths can increase uterine temperature and affect embryo implantation and growth.
Also, avoid submerging in water for too long, like swimming pools, saunas, etc., it can cause UTIs (urinary tract infections) and affect implantation.
Alternatives
Keep the temperature lukewarm while bathing (not too ho or too clod). Also, take showers instead of submerging baths.
Practical Tips For Avoiding Bending
Do you want to avoid bending yet want to get things done after embryo transfer? Here are some practical tips you can follow.
- Squat down instead of bending your body.
- Buy a grabbing tool that can assist you in picking things that are too far from your reach.
- Keep things you regularly use near you.
- Ask your partner or someone else to help you get things.
- Keep essentials on the middle or upper shelves instead of the lower ones.
All these tips are practical and can easily make things easier for you after embryo transfer.
Insights From Fertility Experts On No Bending Rule
Fertility expert usually don’t have any qualms regarding bending after embryo transfer. No matter what activity you do, they will only advise you to be gentle and go easy on your body.
Based on your specific health condition, they will also give you some safety measures you need to follow during this period. Following them can help prevent any complications from arising after embryo transfer and can increase your chances of a successful IVF pregnancy.
Conclusion
Bending has not been proven to have any negative effect on your IVF success rate. As long as you don’t do any vigorous activities that put pressure on your body, you can do your normal daily activities without any worry.
However, if you want to be on the safer side and avoid bending, you can follow the practical tips we discussed above. Be safe, and have a happy pregnancy.
No, bending does not have any effect on your embryo implantation or pregnancy rate. You just need to be gentle and not do any stressful activities.
It is not necessary to stay on bed rest for several days after embryo transfer. You just need to lie down for about 20–30 minutes after the procedure. You can resume your daily routine afterward, but make sure you do only light activities.
No, bending does not affect early pregnancy. However, ensure you are gentle and go easy on your body.
