They weren’t joking when they said there was a lot to get your head around when going through IVF were they (whoever “they” are?!). Naively I thought it would just involve some injections and then an embryo transfer, followed by happily ever after. How wrong I was….
There is WAY more involved in this IVF business that no one ever tells you about. Aside from the mood swings and the bloating and the constant obsession I have had each round with the growth of my follicles, there is also the endless list of tests that you are offered when sadly, it just doesn’t seem to work.
So you can imagine my surprise, when I was offered a Mock Embryo Transfer on my last round of IVF. I thought I had left the miserable world of mock exams back when I did my GCSEs!
“A mock embryo transfer?” I said puzzled. “What..like a practice for you to get the embryo in? Why?” I asked in horror.
Of course I now understand that the mock test isn’t for the doctor to practice his transfer skills, but instead to establish the optimal position for placement of the embryo(s) in your uterus. The doctor takes a catheter and essentially pretends to transfer an embryo into your uterus. Meanwhile, a nurse does an ultrasound and takes pictures and measurements.
This information will help when the real transfer happens, as the doctor will have a little map of your uterus and will know exactly where to go.
The procedure is painless, but you should have a full bladder which is never a comfortable experience!
Dr Guy Morris, MBChB (honours) MRCOG at BCRM explains…..
A “mock” or “dummy” embryo transfer is a trial run for the embryo transfer procedure. It can help to ascertain if the actual transfer, with the embryo, is likely to encounter difficulties. These difficulties may include deviations or narrowing of the passage leading to the womb (uterus) which may make the embryo transfer more difficult.
A mock embryo transfer may be helpful in women that have had a difficult transfer previously or had treatments to the neck of the womb (cervix) that increase the chance of a narrowing.
Thank you also to Juliana Jason, fellow TTC Warrior for allowing us in to her world! It’s always comforting to know that you aren’t the only one doing your mocks!
Related content:
What factors are key to a successful embryo transfer?
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