In vitro fertilization treatment, which offers the chance to have children for couples who cannot have children naturally, is a multi-stage method and each stage should be carefully planned. Within the scope of the application, it is necessary to intervene in the expectant mothers at different periods. The first of these periods is the growth and follow-up of the eggs, the second is the collection of maturing eggs, and the third is the transfer of the embryo created in the laboratory environment into the uterus.

Uterine resting is a process characterized by performing the first two stages in the same month, but delaying the third stage for 1 or 2 months. The main reason for resting the uterus is the administration of hormone injections to the expectant mother during the egg growing phase and the possibility of the embryo to attach to the uterus without the effect of these hormones decreases.

Hormone applications are important in terms of collecting a sufficient number of eggs at once and enabling the production of high quality embryos. However, the results of scientific studies highlight the possibility that these hormones may adversely affect the inner lining of the uterus. For this reason, it is aimed to rest the uterus by resting the effect of hormones and to increase the possibility of embryo attachment.

Who is Uterus Resting Applied to?

Uterine resting, which was applied to expectant mothers who were extremely sensitive to the drug or hormone injections used in the egg growing phase in the past years, is now widely applied. The main reason for this change is the development of laboratory technologies and the advancement of embryo freezing techniques. Embryos that are kept safely are transferred to the uterus after the uterus rests, which can vary between 1 and 2 months.

How is the Transfer Performed After Uterine Resting?

After the embryo is frozen, the process allows expectant mothers to recover both physically and psychologically. Uterine rest, which provides the opportunity to prepare for pregnancy physically and mentally, is positively reflected in pregnancy rates. It is accepted that this practice increases the chance of pregnancy between 5% and 10%. When the process determined for uterine resting is completed, embryos frozen under appropriate conditions should be thawed properly and transferred to the mother.

There is no difference between the transfer of a fresh embryo and the transfer of a frozen embryo. What is important at this point is the availability of appropriate technologies during the freezing and thawing processes of the embryo, the use of the right techniques, and the experience of the team performing the procedure. Otherwise, embryo quality may be adversely affected. The difference of clinics equipped with advanced technologies is also evident here.