You might know what has to be done and what precautions to take if you are planning to conceive. But there are also certain steps and precautions to be taken after IVF-Embryo transfer. Though they have to do little with the success of the procedure, it is still important to follow certain things. To know more about what are the do’s and don’ts post IVF-Embryo transfer have a look below.

1. Rest
         Resting for the first 48 hours post the procedure is important. It helps the embryo to implant in the uterus more effectively. It doesn’t mean that you have to be on complete bed rest. Maintain your normal routine and just refrain yourself from strenuous tasks as well as have a break from exercising. It is a myth that embryos fall out if you do heavy activities or exercise. The actual reason behind them is that doing strenuous activities and exercising increases your body temperature which affects the implantation of embryos in the uterus.

2. Avoid stress
         It is not just that you consider physical health but taking care of your emotional health is also important. Do breathing exercises or mediation, get lost in a good book, watch some funny videos or listen to good music. Have conversations with people who give you positive vibes. Take time for self-care and pampering. 

3. Have a balanced diet
         Eat variety of fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamins, antioxidants and iron. Prefer protein rich food and limit intake of carbs and fats.

4. Medication
         Your doctor might prescribe you progesterone or folic acid supplements or prenatal vitamins to support the process of conception. Sometimes they can prescribe you injections also. You might feel like skipping those medications post-procedure but they are important for the embryo to get implanted. So do take medications as prescribed by your doctor and stop them only when advised.

Things to avoid post IVF transfer
1. Avoid exposure to harsh chemicals
         Avoid using substances that contain parabens, BPA, and triclosan. These products can enter the bloodstream when exposed and interfere with embryo attachment and development. Before you even use sunscreen or any cosmetic products check out these contents.

2. Soaking in hot water
         Having a hot shower post-procedure is fine. But soaking yourself in hot water in a bathtub or jacuzzi or saunas for the first few days after the transfer affects the implantation of the embryo. Soaking yourself in hot water elevates the body temperature and the embryos are sensitive to heat.

3. Avoid worrying
         You might feel anxious and even be tempted to take a pregnancy test right away. But remember that it takes a couple of weeks for the pregnancy to show up in the home kit.

4. Ignoring the symptoms
         Keep an eye on certain symptoms like pain in your tummy, spotting,  bloating, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Do inform your health care provider if you experience these post-procedure. These symptoms can be normal but sometimes can even indicate serious issues so providing early information to your doctor on what has to be done next without ignoring is necessary