Are you and your partner considering IVF treatments to get pregnant? Then, you must have asked several people regarding their take on the treatment, and one thing you might have heard them say is, “IVF is painful.”
Among all the fertility treatments, IVF is considered to be the most painful by many. IVF (in vitro fertilization) involves undergoing five steps to help you get pregnant.
Out of these five steps, many people consider embryo transfer to be more painful. However, some might say that the procedure was not painful at all. So what is the truth? Is embryo transfer painful? Let’s find out in this article.
Egg Transfer: Is it really Painful?
Embryo transfer is the final step in the IVF process.. It is the stage where the best-quality embryo is selected and transferred into the uterus to implant into the uterine lining and result in pregnancy.
Embryo transfer is a minimally invasive procedure where the embryo is transferred transvaginally with the help of an ultrasound. This procedure is not painful but may cause slight discomfort.
Remember that all people have different thresholds for pain. The procedure that others feel is painful may not be painful for you. So keep an open mind and don’t worry that the procedure will be painful.
All the Best for your IVF Journey !
What are the other stages of IVF that are painful?
- IVF can cause discomfort during ovulation induction and egg retrieval, but sedation minimizes pain, with only mild side effects afterward.
IVF is a five-step procedure. Of these steps, most women find three steps—ovulation induction, egg retrieval, and embryo transfer—to be painful. We’ve already talked about the potential discomfort you might feel during an embryo transfer. Now, let’s look at the other two steps and whether they are painful or not.
Ovulation induction
Inducing ovulation is the initial step in the IVF process. Here, you will be administered fertility injections for a few days. These injections contain hormones that stimulate the ovaries to produce more eggs for retrieval.
There are only two ways this step can cause you pain. One is the constant need for injections. IVF injections are thin and are usually not very painful. However, it depends on your tolerance to pain and fear of injections.
You might also feel mild discomfort due to some side effects caused by the hormonal changes in your body, such as
- Bloating,
- Cramps,
- Mood swings,
- Headaches, etc.
Egg retrieval
Egg retrieval is the second stage of the IVF procedure. Once the eggs are mature enough, your fertility doctor will collect those eggs from the ovaries. These eggs will later be used for fertilization.
Like embryo transfer, egg retrieval is also minimally invasive and is done transvaginally. A thin needle will be inserted through your vagina to pierce through the ovaries and collect the eggs.
This might seem painful, but you will be under sedation during the procedure. You don’t have to worry about experiencing pain. You might feel some discomfort after you wake up from the sedation, but it will disappear after some time.
What to expect during the egg transfer?
- Embryo transfer may cause mild discomfort and post-procedure bloating or cramping, typically resolving on their own.
In embryo transfer, a speculum will be used to hold the vagina open. A catheter will then be inserted through the vagina, and with the assistance of an ultrasound, the embryo will be released into the uterus.
Most times, you don’t even need to be under anesthetics during the procedure. The only instances where you might feel discomfort are
- When the speculum is inserted into the vagina and
- When you are undergoing an ultrasound with a full bladder. A full bladder is required to get clear images of your uterus.
In very rare cases, the speculum or catheter might hurt your vagina, cervix, or uterus. This can cause bleeding and a bit of pain.
You might also experience side effects like bloating, cramping, and vaginal discharge after embryo transfer. This is completely normal and should go away on its own after a while. However, if the situation persists, consult your fertility doctor.
Conclusion
From the outside, egg transfer might look like a painful procedure. But in reality, the amount of pain you experience depends greatly on your tolerance level, your health condition, and, most importantly, the fertility doctor you choose for your IVF treatments.
So, make sure you do thorough research and find the best fertility doctor and hospital for a safe and healthy IVF pregnancy.
FAQs
If you have undergone a pap smear before, you might notice that the embryo transfer procedure is almost similar to it. You lie on your back with your feet held in stirrups. A speculum holds your vagina open, and a catheter is inserted to release the embryo into the uterus.
Yes, it is best not to move around too quickly after an embryo transfer. Your success rate won’t be affected if you resume your daily activities after embryo transfer.
However, you might feel tired after the procedure. Taking a bit of rest can help you recover from the procedure and regain your strength.
An embryo transfer is a simple procedure and can be done within 15 to 30 minutes. Most of the time is taken by the setting up of the instruments. The actual embryo transfer, where the embryo is injected into your uterus, only takes about 5 to 10 minutes.