In vitro fertilization has become increasingly popular among couples in recent years. The services of reproductive specialists are resorted to if it is not possible to conceive a baby for a long time or if fertilization does not occur for some good reason. During in vitro fertilization, the female body undergoes hormonal correction. One important step in this scheme is the transfer of the blastocyst. It is about him that will be discussed in the article. You will learn how blastocyst transfer occurs in cryoprotocol, short protocol or long protocol. Also find out what sensations a woman may experience after it. It is worth noting that the outcome of events can be both positive and negative.
IVF Blastocyst Transfer: A Little Theory
In the period of preparation for in vitro fertilization, a woman's body is subjected to severe stress. Medicines stimulate the ovaries. They do not growone or two, but many dominant follicles. Shortly before ovulation, they are extracted using modern medical methods. Then, under special conditions, they are fertilized by male cells.
Several years ago, doctors were sure that three-day-old embryos should be transferred. This opinion was formed because a day later, most of the cells simply died. Laboratory assistants and reproductologists could not create the appropriate conditions for their survival. Now, with the help of new techniques and materials, blastocyst transfer can be carried out. This is a set of cells that developed in a test tube for five days.
Pros and cons
Most doctors, geneticists and reproductive specialists say that blastocyst transfer is about 60 percent successful. Whereas three-day embryos are only 30 percent likely to gain a foothold in the reproductive organ. Why is there such a distinction? It's very simple.
After the transfer, the blastocyst is ready to immediately penetrate into the endometrium, that is, to be implanted. Three-day-old embryos during natural fertilization are still in the fallopian tube. To get to the uterus, they need an average of two more days. That is why in such situations there is a risk of failure.
The undoubted advantage of blastocyst transfer is a high probability of a successful outcome. However, manipulation also has its downsides. Some laboratories are not able to create conditions for the survival of embryos in this state. Therefore, some of them die on the fourth day. Reproductologists note that the samethe probability of survival would have been in the uterine cavity if three-day-olds were planted. A blastocyst is a set of cells ready to hatch from its shell and implant in the uterus. At this stage of embryonic development, there is a greater chance of detecting any abnormalities.
Blastocyst cryotransfer: implantation
Often, when a large number of eggs are received, fertilized embryos are frozen. Usually this procedure is carried out on the third day. However, under certain conditions, freezing can also be carried out with a blastocyst. Storage conditions for embryos with a five-day development are the same as for three-day ones.
When the need arises, the cells are reverse-transformed and injected into the woman's uterus. Implantation of blastocysts in the cryoprotocol has the same probability as in the usual one. Only the conditions for preparing a woman change in this situation.
How is the procedure done?
After the eggs are removed from the woman's body, they are re-infused exactly 5 days later. Blastocysts are transferred, hCG is injected immediately. After that, the woman should be at rest for some time. Most transfers are done under light anesthesia. If necessary, the woman's condition is monitored by ultrasound diagnostics. Can a blastocyst divide after transfer? Theoretically, this is possible. After all, after plantingcells go through an important stage - hatching. Only after that they are implanted in the uterus. However, this outcome is very rare.
After the manipulation, the patient carefully monitors her feelings. Also, a woman must comply with the prescribed regimen and take medications. Most of them are hormones. What are the feelings in a successful combination of circumstances? Consider below.
Positive pregnancy test
When do tests run after blastocyst transfer? This question is asked by every woman after in vitro fertilization. You can see a positive pregnancy test result immediately after the manipulation. However, this will not mean that you are pregnant. It is worth clarifying this situation a bit.
After a blastocyst transplant, a woman is given an injection of human chorionic gonadotropin. This hormone begins to be produced independently during natural pregnancy immediately after fertilization. It prepares the endometrium and uterus for a new state. And it is on him that most pregnancy tests react. In other words, the study will show you the presence of this hormone in the body. However, this will only be a reaction to the injection. Gradually, artificial hCG is excreted, and when implantation occurs, its own substance begins to be produced. This happens approximately 7-10 days after the transfer. That's when you have a 70 percent chance of getting a correct pregnancy test result.
Toxicosis
Feelings with a successful blastocyst transfer are not much different from a normal pregnancy. After implantation, a woman may feel mild nausea and dizziness. Many expectant mothers complain of weakness and fainting. There is also engorgement of the mammary glands, and their sensitivity increases. All these are indirect signs of pregnancy.
It is worth noting that a woman can sometimes feel all the symptoms described only because of the development of side effects. After all, the expectant mother at this stage of planning has to take a lot of drugs, most of which are hormones.
How does chorionic gonadotropin behave?
You already know that immediately after the blastocyst transfer, the woman is given an injection containing hCG. If you take a blood test to determine the hormone the next day, you will get an unreliable result. However, immediately after implantation, its own gonadotropin begins to be produced. That is why you can learn about a successful outcome only with regular research. With the help of a comparative analysis, you can determine at what rate the level of hCG increases or decreases.
Doctors strongly discourage such examinations. After all, this can lead to unnecessary worries and stress. A woman after in vitro fertilization needs peace and positive emotions. Doctors recommend donating blood for the establishment of chorionic gonadotropin in it only 10 days after the transfer.
Additionalsigns
- With a positive outcome, a woman may feel some other signs. Chief among them is the absence of menstruation. The representative of the weaker sex knows exactly when the eggs were extracted from her ovaries. Bleeding may occur on average 10-14 days after this.
- Drawing pains in the lower abdomen and lower back may indicate a positive outcome or be a sign of imminent menstruation. All these symptoms are very doubtful.
- Discharge from the genital tract, with a successful outcome, change their character. They become more like a thick cream. The color of the mucus is white or clear. It is from these secretions that a cork will be formed in the future, protecting the embryo from external influences and microbes.
- An ultrasound can accurately determine a successful outcome. However, it is only made three weeks after the transfer.
Conclusion
You learned about IVF blastocyst transfer. As you can see, with this technique, the probability of a positive outcome is higher. That is why you should definitely consult with several specialists and find out the scheme of their work. Listen to yourself, and your heart will definitely tell you about the positive result of the protocol. Good luck!