Hi! Are you going to undergo embryo transfer tomorrow? Or are you just trying to prepare yourself for embryo transfer by learning all this stuff?
Whatever your reason for reading this article, if you want to know what you should and shouldn’t do the night before embryo transfer, you have come to the right page.
Embryo transfer is the most important step of the IVF treatment. So, you need to be as ready as possible to ensure that your embryo gets safely implanted in your uterus and develops into a cute little baby.
Read this article till the end and learn the dos and don’ts the night before embryo transfer.
What To Do The Night Before Embryo Transfer To Improve Success Rate
- Before embryo transfer, prioritise medications, sleep, a cool room, and relaxation while avoiding caffeine, food, screens, and sexual intercourse.
It is normal for you to feel stressed and anxious the night before embryo transfer. So, here we have discussed some tips and tricks you can follow to prepare your body for “the big day.”
All the Best for your IVF Journey !
Take Your Medicines On Time
During your IVF treatments, your fertility doctor would have prescribed certain medications for you to take for some days. All those medications are to increase your chances of having a successful pregnancy.
So, don’t miss out or delay taking any of them.
Get Adequate Sleep
Did you know? Recent studies have found that women who had adequate sleep of 7–8 hours daily had a higher IVF success rate than those who slept for a shorter or longer period than that.
So, take adequate rest, but don’t oversleep. This can make you lazy and lethargic.
Keep Your Bedroom Between 60 And 67 Degrees Fahrenheit
Your surrounding temperature is very important to ensure your body doesn’t get too cold or too hot before embryo transfer.
So, maintain an optimum room temperature of 60–67℉ while sleeping the night before embryo transfer.
Avoid Caffeine Four To Six Hours Before You Go To Sleep
Caffeine is one of the main factors that can affect your embryo implantation rate. So, avoid drinking caffeinated products like coffee, energy drinks, etc., the night before embryo transfer.
If possible, it is best to avoid caffeine entirely during the course of your IVF treatments.
Diffuse Lavender In Your Bedroom Or Bathroom
All essential oils have some kind of benefit to our body. Lavender essential oils, in particular, have been known to balance hormones and reduce stress and depression.
Diffuse lavender oil in your bedroom and bathroom before sleeping or bathing. Its scent can calm your mind and prevent you from stressing over the treatment.
Stop Eating Two To Three Hours Before You Go To Sleep
Your body needs time to digest the food you eat. Sleeping within a short time after eating can lead to improper digestion and cause problems the next day during embryo transfer.
So, ensure you eat early and stay awake for at least two to three hours before going to bed.
Listen To Relaxing Music
Music has always been something that can calm our mind, body, and soul. Doctors even recommend pregnant women to listen to some soothing music to calm their bodies and help with the baby’s brain development.
So relax and listen to some good music the night before embryo transfer.
Limit Blue Light And Screen Time At Least 30 Minutes Before Bed
As we discussed above, you need to get adequate sleep to increase your chances of a healthy pregnancy. Blue lights and too much screen time can suppress your body from releasing melatonin, the hormone that regulates your sleep-wake cycles.
So, avoid using your devices for at least 30 minutes before going to sleep.
Stretch Gently And Loosen Your Muscles Before Sleeping
You don’t want to have muscle cramps when you are readying for an embryo transfer, do you?
So, stretch your muscles and loosen them a little before you sleep. This can also help you sleep sooner and more comfortably.
Avoid Sexual Intercourse The Night Before Embryo Transfer
Try to avoid sexual intercourse the night before embryo transfer. It can trigger uterine contractions, affect the uterine environment, and make it difficult for the embryo to implant into the uterine lining.
Foods To Prefer The Night Before Embryo Transfer
Here are some foods you can take before embryo transfer to prepare your body. Try eating warm foods and avoid foods that are too hot or too cold. This is to maintain a warm uterine temperature.
- Drink warm soups
- Eat fresh fruits and vegetables (especially pineapples and berry varieties)
- Eat legumes like lentils, beans, and chickpeas
- Eat healthy fats like walnuts, seeds, avocado oil, and extra-virgin olive oil
- Eat lean proteins like chicken and fish (low-mercury fish)
These are some foods you can eat the night before embryo transfer. They are healthy and can improve your chances of pregnancy.
Foods To Avoid The Night Before Embryo Transfer
Here are some foods you must definitely avoid if you wish to increase your chances of a successful embryo transfer.
- Avoid too hot or too cold foods
- Avoid salty and sugary foods
- Avoid cold beverages (sodas, smoothies, juices, etc.)
- Avoid red meat
- Avoid junk or processed foods
- Avoid too much coffee and tea
These foods can impact your body and affect implantation rates. So, start avoiding them for at least a few days before embryo transfer.
What Should I Do In The Morning Of Embryo Transfer?
- On the morning of embryo transfer, eat a light meal, hydrate for a full bladder, and maintain a positive mindset for optimal outcomes.
How you prepare yourself on the morning of embryo transfer can impact your emotional state during the procedure. Here are some things you can do to be in your best state during the procedure.
Have A Light Meal
It is important to have a light meal on the morning of embryo transfer. Eating too much food can make you feel bloated or cause digestive issues during the procedure.
Drink Plenty Of Water
The embryo transfer procedure is performed under the guidance of an ultrasound scan. Your bladder needs to be full to get clear imaging of your uterus. So, drink plenty of water an hour before the procedure.
Be Positive
Always stay positive and hope for the best. Remember that your mindset can also affect your pregnancy results. So, believe in yourself and your fertility doctor to have a positive pregnancy result.
Conclusion
Embryo transfer is the most important procedure of IVF. All your hard work during the treatment depends on your success in this procedure.
So, clearly understand what you can and cannot do before, during, and after the procedure. Discuss with your fertility doctor and understand how you can increase your chances of a successful IVF pregnancy.
FAQs
Here are some tips you can follow to increase your chances of a successful embryo transfer.
- Eat healthy foods
- Follow a healthy lifestyle
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Take the supplements your doctor prescribes you
- Do regular exercises
Your body needs to be in the right condition to facilitate implantation and result in successful embryo transfer. Below are some tips to do that.
- Maintain an optimum body temperature
- Take your medications on time
- Get adequate sleep
- Eat a healthy diet
- Do mild exercises
The morning of embryo transfer is very important. Here are some things you can do to prepare for an embryo transfer.
- Have a light meal
- Drink plenty of water
- Have a positive mindset
- Don’t wear jewelry, makeup, or perfumes.