In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a solution that helps infertile couples have the chance to have a baby. However, besides the success rate, there are also many cases of failure when implementing. Let’s learn about the warning signs of the possibility of embryo transfer failure so that there are supportive measures and treatment directions accordingly.
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Warning indication of the possibility of embryo transfer failure
Usually, after transferring an embryo into the mother’s uterus, between days 8 and 14, the signs of conception appear and you can feel it. However, in case of transfer failure, there are the following symptoms:
1. Vaginal bleeding
After 1 – 7 days after transferring embryos, on your underwear will appear a few pink blood stains, this is considered a safe sign of successful embryo transfer. This phenomenon occurs because the embryo must find a way to attach to the mother’s uterus to implant and find blood vessels for it to develop, causing an impact on the mucosa causing bleeding.
However, if after the 2nd to 3rd day after embryo transfer, a lot of bleeding occurs, dark brown color, does not go away and accompanied by severe abdominal pain symptoms, it is a warning sign of pregnancy failure. Because the embryo does not attach to the endometrial wall, it does not implant, and the mother’s body does not secrete hormones that cause the uterine lining to fall off like when it comes to menstruation.
In addition, some cases of embryo transfer are compatible with the endometrium, but due to the inadequate diet and nutrition, the endometrium is not thick enough, making the environment unfavorable to implantation fetus. Around day 10 after transfer, the embryo will be ejected, causing you to bleed more.
2. No signs of pregnancy
After the embryo transfer, if the embryo successfully attaches and implants to the uterine lining, you will have the following signs:
- There is a feeling of pain and heaviness in the lower abdomen.
- The body temperature rises rapidly and feels hot inside.
- The body feels tired and lethargic due to the hormonal changes to adapt to the new fetus in the body.
- Chest tightness, breast size has a change.
However, if you do not have the above symptoms, this is one of the warning signs of the risk of embryo transfer failure.
3. Results of the HCG beta test indicate successful or failed embryo transfer
After the embryo transfer, the embryo moves around the uterus and looks for a favorable place to nest (usually 1-5 days). For 8-14 days, you will be assigned a blood test to check for HCG beta levels. If the beta HCG is above 25 IU / l, pregnancy is defined.
But after 2 days, the results have not increased or decreased, it should be monitored more. In the case of a biochemical pregnancy, beta HCG levels returned negative below 5 IU / l. It can be said that the HCG beta test, the most accurate sign of post-transfer failure, is, if Bta HCG is negative, women should also prepare to transfer embryos in the next time.
Cause of failed transfer
Failure of embryo transfer stems from many causes, not only affected by internal factors of the mother’s body but also influenced by external factors as well as psychological factors. Failure of embryo transfer is due to the following reasons:
1. Subjective causes
- Sperm Quality: Even with normal sperm count, flexibility, and shape, the sperm is likely to have DNA abnormalities. This could be because the body is exposed to chemicals or misuse of substances, causing damage.
- Egg quality: Eggs are the most important factor in IVF failure analysis. Because eggs provide most of the structure needed for fertilization and embryonic development. The more eggs you have in one IVF cycle, the higher your chances of success will be.
- Quality of embryos: For a good embryo, after 3 days, it will develop into at least 6-7 cells, a bad embryo may not develop at first or stop growing after some time. Embryo quality is not only driven by age, but by egg and sperm count.
- Age: This is also the cause of such an important influence on eggs. Because the quantity and quality of eggs begin to decline after age 30 and will decline rapidly after age 35. By about 40 years old, only 10% of eggs are normal.
- Pre-stimulation and egg collection procedure: This also affects the likelihood of IVF cycle success such as pre-stimulant contraceptive use, timing, dose to stimulate at the same time of hCG injection and collection technique. egg. The sooner or later injection of hCG also makes it difficult to fertilize a poor quality embryo or embryo. Therefore, choosing the right timing of hCG injection is very important.
- How to transfer an embryo: This method depends greatly on the skills of the doctor. Because before and after embryo transfer, your doctor will do an ultrasound of the uterus to determine the preferred location of embryo placement. If the uterine lining is irregularly concave, thin or weak, the drug is used to stimulate tissue regeneration. Gentle and precise embryo transfer requires gentle manipulation to avoid endometrial damage.
2. Subjective causes
- The mode of living before and after embryo transfer is not reasonable: Because this makes the uterus too thick or too thin, without a compatible environment with the embryo, the embryo is easily ejected, leading to bleeding. vagina.
- Psychological effects: Before and after embryo transfer, the mother’s body will be very weak, with a panic, nervousness that makes the uterine wall not thick and the embryo cannot attach to the implantation leading to the uterus contracting. affects the movement of the embryo.
- Strong activity: After transferring an embryo, if you have a lot of exercise, moving up and down stairs or simply not adding enough necessary nutrients is also the cause of the unsuccessful transfer of embryos. Also, having a relationship a couple of days before or just after transfer is also likely to fail.
How soon after failed embryo transfer?
When applying IVF method unsuccessfully, many women will have to worry and impatient to find out right after the failed embryo transfer, about how long will the period return? Only after you stop taking adjuvants 3 to 5 days after transfer will your period return.
Affected by the stimulation process and before the embryo transfer procedure, the mother is injected with ovulation stimulants earlier than the normal ovulation cycle so it may take about 1-3 months. the new menstrual cycle gradually stabilizes and the endometrium will return to normal.
Therefore, after a while, you can continue with in vitro fertilization so you can perform the next embryo transfer.
How long does it take after a second embryo transfer fails?
If the transfer fails, you can do a second IVF fertilization if you still have frozen embryos on this next IVF session, you will not need to perform the ovulation procedure and poke eggs.
After the mucosal preparation, the embryo is thawed and transferred to the uterus. In the event that you no longer have frozen embryos, the IVF procedure must be repeated exactly 5 standard steps.
After the first embryo transfer fails, if in the case the husband’s health and psychology are well-prepared and the safety factor is ensured, the second embryo transfer process will be separated from the first one cycle. periods.
In the case that after a health check but fail to meet the requirements, it will take time to treat the disease. When the first transfer fails, the second transfer should not be delayed too long. This should be done as soon as possible if you are mentally, physically, and financially qualified.
As for the women after the age of 35, whose fertility and egg quality are significantly reduced, if they want to perform the second embryo transfer, they will have to re-examine their health, economic and psychological status. This should not be delayed too long as it reduces the chances of success.
What to do when embryo transfer fails?
To avoid failed embryo transfer, you need to note and change the following options for a successful conception in the next embryo transfer:
- Nutrition: Add nutritious foods that are easy to digest to avoid stomach stress such as constipation, stomach upset, and diarrhea. This has a great influence on the embryo, because when the embryo has not yet attached to the mother’s uterine wall, it is very easy to float out.
- Drinks: Absolutely do not use beverages containing alcohol, gas and stimulants, … Because the ingredients in stimulants will cause your stomach to constantly move and contract to digest chemotherapy, adversely affecting the endometrium.
- Exercise: Avoid vigorous exercise or heavy work because it affects the formation and development of the embryo. Therefore, you should pay attention to move and move more gently.
- Keeping the spirit at ease: After the failed embryo transfer, women should relax their minds and ensure that the spirit is always at ease. At the same time, practice gentle yoga exercises for 30-60 minutes / day to improve the body’s resistance and prevent the risk of cough, fever or flu.
Failure of embryo transfer is something no parent wants, so you should persevere because most causes have a remedy. Hopefully the information shared above helps you understand the causes and signs of failed transfer so you can gain more experience and knowledge applicable to the next successful embryo transfer.
