Embryo Transfer (ET)

Post-Patient Instructions for Embryo Transfer (ET)


  1. You may eat and drink normally on the day of the ET.

  2. You may experience mild cramping following the ET. You may also experience some mild vaginal bleeding/spotting. These are normal. Please report heavy bleeding, chills, or temperature elevation over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit.

  3. You may wish to "take it easy" after the ET. In past years many programs recommended bed rest for 24 hours, but most programs do not feel that this is necessary. There certainly is no data to suggest that strict bed rest improves outcomes in any way. You may return to work after the ET to a desk job if you would be most comfortable doing so.

  4. No heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling for 24 hours after the ET. If your job requires this, ask for a doctor’s note.

  5. Place nothing in the vagina (unless using vaginally administered medications prescribed for you by Albany IVF) for one week following ET.

  6. Continue taking your progesterone supplementation every evening until advised to discontinue it. At the time your pregnancy test is resulted if it is negative you will be advised to stop this medication. If you are pregnant you will remain on it until directed otherwise. Please disregard the “warnings” about birth defects that sometimes accompany the progesterone medication dispensed by the pharmacy. There is no evidence of natural progesterone causing any type of birth defect in humans.

  7. Remain on all medications as directed regardless of any vaginal spotting or bleeding until the time of your pregnancy testing. If you are not pregnant we will instruct you to discontinue your medications.

  8. Discontinue Cipro and Methylprednisolone (Medrol) after taking this evenings dose. If you had a day 3 ET you will have ‘extra’ pills which you may discard.

  9. You will be scheduled for a pregnancy test, ~14 days after your Oocyte Retrieval Procedure. If this is positive you will have another blood test 2 days later. If you live at a distance from the practice, these tests may be done close to your home. You will need to ask for prescriptions for this if you wish to exercise this option.

  10. Please call us with the date of your ensuing period; this is very important for us to close out the paperwork from your cycle and to generate a summary report for you. You will receive a summary of your clinical and laboratory data by email or mail within a month of completing your cycle.

  11. Your pregnancy test is scheduled on: _______