Did you know that the embryo implantation phase is the biggest challenge faced by specialists in reproductive medicine? This phase of pregnancy is directly related to the success rates of in vitro fertilisation treatments, but we still have a long way to go. Here is what you should know about this stage.
What is implantation and what are its stages?
Embryo implantation is a process in which the embryo (in the blastocyst stage) attaches itself to the endometrium in order to continue its development. This phase takes place between days 5 and 6 after the fertilisation of the egg and is known to be one of the most delicate and unknown stages of pregnancy.
This process is not immediate, but follows a series of stages. These phases of implantation are: pre-contact, apposition, adhesion, intrusion and invasion of the endometrial stroma.
What are the symptoms of implantation?
As we discussed in a previous publication, the symptoms of implantation often go unnoticed or do not manifest themselves at all. However, some of the most typical symptoms are: nausea, fatigue, tender breasts, implantation bleeding or light prickling in the belly, among others.
What are the causes of implantation failure?
Implantation failure is the impossibility of achieving a pregnancy after 3 cycles of in vitro fertilisation in which we transferred good quality embryos. There are different reasons that can cause implantation problems. Some of them may be:
- The location of the embryo: Have you heard the term ectopic pregnancy? This is an example where the blastocyst is placed in an inappropriate area, in this case the fallopian tubes.
- Chronic infections of the endometrium that are asymptomatic or other causes related to the uterus or endometrial receptivity.
- Genetic alterations in the embryo, sperm or egg.
- Immune system disorders that reject the embryo.
- Thrombophilias, i.e. alterations in coagulation processes. How much did you know about this crucial stage of pregnancy?
