15 Tips to Prepare for your IVF Embryo Transfer – doesn’t that statement bring pure excitement to you?!  At the same time, doesn’t it bring nervousness and panic of the unknown?  As a person who has already done it, I vividly remember scouring the internet and Pinterest looking for posts on what to do to be prepared, what to expect, etc.  However, I didn’t find a whole lot of information on the subject.

After a lot of thought, I decided to put together a list of things that helped me prepare and survive my IVF embryo transfer.  Remember, I am not a doctor and you should follow your doctor’s instructions regarding anything related to your health and the embryo transfer.  This list is more of a mental prep to help reduce stress during your transfer and also to help make sure during your down time you’re not bored out of your mind!

1. Finances

Ensure all bills are paid early so you don’t have to stress about them during your embryo transfer, especially any bills/payments related to your fertility treatment.  During this time, you want to be as relaxed as possible and allow your body to do what it’s supposed to do.

2. Employment

If you are employed, be sure to schedule your time off in advance.  Make sure you provide any written notifications for your medical absence if necessary, and take care of any work-related business that may need to be handled before or during your embryo transfer.  Also, make sure your employer understands that your time off during your embryo transfer is fluid and is not exact.  For example, my embryo transfer went as planned, but about three weeks later I ended up on bedrest for a little over two and a half weeks.  Luckily, I had an amazing staff at my facility that was able to keep things running smoothly without any of the parents noticing my absence.

3. Schedule

Map out all of your appointments for your fertility cycle.  You do not want to miss one once you are in the process.  Literally, TIMING IS EVERYTHING!!!  This is the time to pay very close attention to every last detail… being a little neurotic is key!

4. Meals

I fell short here and my poor husband had to really scramble to make sure we didn’t starve!  I recommend making a few freezer meals that you both love so that dinners are not stressful or that you buy some pre-made meals at the store.  Also, make sure to grocery shop ahead of time.  Have your house stocked with plenty so that if Meal Plan A doesn’t work, you can easily go to Meal Plan B without much effort.  You also want to be sure to eat healthy during this time.  Ask your doctor if they have any recommendations for your diet or if there are foods you should avoid.  Remember, you want this time to be easy, relaxing, and NOT stressful.

5. Snacks & Drinks

Be sure your house is stocked.  Have plenty of snacks that are easy to eat laying down on the couch or bed.  Have plenty of water and other beverages (approved by your doctor) that are ready to drink.  You need to stay hydrated during your embryo transfer.

6. Clean House

This may or may not apply to you, but having a dirty house really stresses me out.  I recommend making sure that your house is at least to a level of cleanliness that makes you comfortable.  During your down time for your embryo transfer, you don’t want to look around the house and start making mental notes of what needs to be done once you are up and moving around again, because it will just make you stressed and/or annoyed.

7. Laundry

Have all laundry done.  Be sure you and your partner have clothes to wear during your down time.  Also, be sure you have comfortable clothes to wear while on bedrest.  Consider the weather… I recommend dressing cooler and then having blankets available to cover up with if you get cold.  There is nothing worse than being hot and uncomfortable.

8. Station Setup

Have a little station setup where you will be doing your bedrest.  I had a little table and basket that was within arm’s reach.  In the basket I had chapstick, hand sanitizer, lotion, pens, paper, my journal, a book, a crochet project, a few magazines, and my phone charger.  Then on the table I had water bottles and a variety of snacks to help me get through the day.  I was very fortunate to have family stop by to make me lunch, but if you are not in the same situation, maybe have a cooler for your lunch.

9. Entertainment

Books, magazines, television, music, crochet, knitting, drawing, writing, or whatever entertains you is perfect.  Just remember to avoid anything that causes you to be emotional.  I was supposed to avoid anything that caused me to be upset or made me laugh hard.  You want your abdomen to be resting so that your little baby(ies) can embed in your uterus.

10. Family & Friends

Decide which family and friends you are going to share this information with.  If you are choosing not to share this information, what will you tell people to explain your downtime?  If you are telling people, decide who you’ll tell and make sure they understand the process.  The goal is to relax during your embryo transfer, so you don’t want to be bombarded with questions (this can cause stress).

11. Don’t Research (excluding this post 😉 )

Once your egg transfer is complete, don’t research!  Or, at the very least, do it with a grain a salt.  If you are following your doctor’s orders, you are doing everything you possibly can that is in your control.  Let your body do its job.

12. Location, Location, Location

This may seem odd to mention, but consider where you are going be during your bedrest.  In my experience, I was to limit how often I got up.  This included showering, using the restroom, and even brushing my teeth.  So, when I say consider location, I literally mean consider location.  I recommend a location that is near the restroom and bedroom.  This will help eliminate any extra time on your feet.

13. Settle your Soul

Pray, meditate, journal or whatever you need to do to settle your soul.  No matter how much preparing you do, the unknown is hard on your soul.  The reality of this egg transfer possibly making you a mother or not making you a mother is enough to send my own heart racing while I’m typing this.

14. Follow all Directions

Follow all directions that your doctor has provided… NO EXCEPTIONS!

15. RELAX

Bahahaha… can you believe I just wrote that?!  Who can relax during a time like this?!  All joking aside, seriously try to relax and let your body rest.  It is working hard.

I hope this list is helpful to you while you are on your journey to becoming a mother and I wish you all the best!  And as always, if you would like to leave a comment below, please feel free to do so.

Cheers to Motherhood!
Lisa