By Atze Mena, psychologist from Barcelona IVF :
Many couples usually question the fact of "losing the embryo" after the embryo transfer. The doctor specialised in assisted reproduction recommends having a full bladder to carry out the embryo transfer. This is necessary in order to better visualise, by means of ultrasound, the correct position of the catheter, with which the embryo(s) will be placed in the ideal area of the uterus.
Once the process has been completed, it is quite frequent to overcome with the feeling that the simplest behaviour, such as going to the bathroom after the procedure, may result in the "loss of the embryos". This is NOT POSSIBLE, as the structures involved are different and independent. The bladder has nothing to do with the endometrium and emptying it does not imply emptying the endometrium with the direct consequence of the loss of the embryos.
The uterine cavity is a virtual cavity, it is not open or hollow. Therefore, it has to be opened minimally with the catheter to place the embryos and when it is removed, the cavity retracts again. To perform the transfer, the gynaecologist carefully cleans the cervix with a serum and it is this very same liquid that could make us feel that we are losing the embryo(s), when finishing the intervention.
The sensation of losing the embryos is simply that: a sensation, but it is not real. Once the embryo is placed in the uterus, the implantation process will take place in the following days if there is pregnancy.
Still have any doubts or want to know more? Check out our frequently asked questions section.
