Should You Rest After Embryo Implantation?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) involves the fertilization of the egg outside the woman's body. Once fertilized by sperm, the resulting embryo is then placed inside the female's uterus. The woman is considered to be pregnant after embryo implantation.

Many women who undergo IVF treatment take bed rest for a couple of weeks following the transfer of the embryo. Women take this recommendation as meaning that they must remain still or risk failure of the implantation process.

But a study found that bed rest following embryo transfer is not required for successful embryo implantation.

Although the US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health (the USA's leading medical body), carried out a study to investigate the effects of ambulation (movement) after embryo transfer, it concluded that rapid movement has no adverse influence on the becoming pregnant.

This discovery was confirmed by another research, "Bed rest after embryo transfer," that was published a few years after. "Many interventions have been used to increase the implantation rate, but bed rest is probably the most commonly prescribed. Since the aetiology (cause) of implantation failure in most cases is not related to an excess of activity; however, it is unlikely that bed rest could be an effective strategy to improve pregnancy outcomes. There was insufficient evidence to support the routine bed rest use to improve pregnancy outcomes in women undergoing ET (embryo transfer) in IVF cycles."

However, some doctors warn that there are some disadvantages to bed rest. "Inactivity combined with high levels of estrogen can promote blood clot formation as well as a rise in insulin resistance.Dr Robert Greene, MD and Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, CNY Fertility Center, New York, USA, says: "Exercise reduces inflammation, lowers stress hormone levels and promotes healthy blood flow."

However, it's also essential to keep stress levels low. That way, one can continue with their daily routine, which might contribute to the IVF treatment's success.

What's certain is that IVF patients need to keep their nervous energy busy by staying busy with their daily routines. Patients should not waste time worrying about whether IVF treatment will be successful.