Bed rest versus free mobilisation following embryo transfer: a prospective randomised study

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of two clinical methods of post-embryo transfer protocols in patients undergoing in vitro fertilisation.

Design: Prospective, randomised clinical trial.

Setting: Hospital-based clinic for reproductive medicine.

Sample: Women under 40 years of age who were undergoing in vitro fertilisation with GnRH pituitary down-regulation and controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.

Methods: Patients were randomised to rest for either 1 or 24 hours after embryo transfer.

Main outcome measure: Clinical pregnancy per cycle rate (the percentage of cycles started that demonstrated a live fetus on ultrasound examination performed at six or seven weeks of gestation).

Results: The clinical pregnancy rates were 21.5% for the 1-hour and 18.2% for the 24-hour post-embryo transfer groups. The implantation rate per embryo was significantly higher in the 1-hour group (14.4%) than in the 24-hour group (9%).

Conclusion: One-hour and 24-hour rest post-embryo transfer result in comparable rates of clinical pregnancy. However, 24-hour rest results in reduced implantation rate per embryo.