It is one of the procedures to have a child. In IVF, several embryos are frozen for the woman to conceive. With one or a few of them, the pregnancy can continue successfully until the end. The unused frozen embryos of women who donate embryos can be used for the person who needs them. In some women, the transfer of other women’s embryos is necessary for a successful pregnancy. As with egg and sperm donations, the child born in this way is considered to be the child of the woman who carried it in her womb and gave birth to it. However, according to the current law, this is not possible in our country. Embryo transfer is a step in the IVF procedure.
One or several embryos are implanted in the uterus in order for a pregnancy to occur. Embryos can be fresh or frozen. Fresh embryos are fresh embryos if they are retrieved and fertilized during the same menstrual period. Frozen embryos are harvested and frozen during previous menstrual periods and thawed before the procedure.
How is the uterus prepared?
In order for the embryo to implant in the uterus, it must be properly prepared. In the second phase of the menstrual cycle, the uterine tissue is suitable for the embryo to implant. If a frozen embryo transplant is to be performed, the expectant mother will first be given the hormone estrogen for two weeks. Estrogen and progesterone hormones are then administered together to make the uterus suitable for the embryo.
When to transfer?
Three days after fertilization, the embryo is released into the uterus. Alternatively, the embryo can be transferred two to three days after it has become a blastocyst, when it has reached eight cells. At three cells, embryos can be tested for chromosomal and some genetic disorders.
What is the process?
The patient is asked to have a full bladder during the procedure. Thus, the uterus can be seen more easily with ultrasonography. Embryo transfer begins with the insertion of a speculum into the vagina and visualization of the cervix. The cervix is then cleaned with physiologic serum. The catheter containing the embryos is advanced along the uterine canal and the embryos are placed in the uterus. The catheter is withdrawn and sent to the embryologist to check the embryos remaining in the catheter. Ultrasonography is usually used to check that the embryos have been implanted correctly. Anesthesia is usually not required during these procedures. After implantation, the patient is advised to lie on her back for two hours. However, it has been observed that there is not much difference between bed rest and returning to normal activities afterwards. Some doctors may recommend 24 hours of rest, while others may advise you to return to your normal life. These recommendations may also vary depending on your physical and mental health. It is also important to remember that the genetic quality of the eggs is also an important factor for pregnancy. Nature allows only genetically perfect embryos to live.
What are the risks?
Embryo transfer has very few risks. Although it is usually a painless procedure, some women may complain of mild cramping.
What should be the number of embryos?
How many embryos to transfer is an important issue. A large number of embryos brings with it the risks of multiple pregnancy. In the past, doctors used to transfer many embryos to guarantee pregnancy. Today, however, this approach is not correct. According to the laws and regulations in our country, 1 embryo transfer is allowed in the first 2 IVF applications under the age of 35; 2 embryo transfers are allowed in applications at the age of 35 and over and/or after two unsuccessful IVF applications.
How to follow up?
After the embryo transfer, the expectant mother continues to receive estrogen and progesterone. The pregnancy test is done two weeks after the transfer.
What is embryo donation?
Many eggs of couples undergoing IVF treatment are fertilized. Up to 20 eggs are taken from a woman and fertilized to form embryos. However, since not all of them are transferred, some of them are used and the rest are frozen for later use. Not all couples who undergo this procedure may need the remaining embryos later on. As a result, these couples may wish to destroy their remaining embryos or keep them frozen for some time. Alternatively, they may express that they can be used for research or donated to couples who do not have embryos of their own (this is not possible in our country). Embryos can also be created from egg and sperm donors and embryos can be made for couples who do not have a baby. However, this procedure is also illegal in our country.
Who needs embryo donation?
If you cannot conceive naturally and in vitro fertilization has not been successful, you can benefit from embryo transfer. Couples with genetic disorders can also have embryo transfer. Other situations in which embryo transfer may be considered are as follows;
– Women with ovarian failure or who have reached menopause
– Women whose ovaries are inoperable due to chemotherapy or radiotherapy
– Women with resistant ovaries who do not respond to hormone therapy
– Embryo transfer can be performed in women who have had their ovaries removed due to cancer or other reasons.
