Bleeding and Spotting during IVF Pregnancies
Spotting and/or bleeding is commonly seen after IVF Embryo Transfer (ET) and also during the first few weeks (typically 6 to 8 weeks) during the first trimester of IVF Pregnancy.
Is Spotting or bleeding common after Embryo Transfer?
Statistically, about 25% women will experience spotting or bleeding at some point of time during the first trimester of pregnancy and it is more commonly seen in IVF pregnancies or IVF Embryo Transfers.
The reason for seeing increased frequency of spotting of bleeding in IVF pregnancy is that during IVF, the hormones that are required to sustain the pregnancy are not produced naturally by the body. These hormones are prescribed externally by the IVF specialist. Hence it is very important that patient takes the given medication from time to time without forgetting.
What can I do if I have spotting or Bleeding after Embryo Transfer?
It is very natural for any IVF patient to be scared and worried as soon as they notice any form of bleeding or spotting after the IVF Embryo Transfer. This is what one should do as soon as they notice spotting or bleeding after :
- Increase the dosage of progesterone as prescribed by the IVF Clinic, as progesterone makes the uterus relax and many studies have shown that it reduces the risk of miscarriage.
- The following dose of progesterone is recommended by us at Indore Infertility Clinic:
- Tab Duphaston (Oral Progesterone) 10 mg. 4 Tablets to be taken immediately.
- Injection Susten 100 mg. or any other brand of injectable progesterone 100 mg. to be taken Intra Muscular.
- There is no need for the patient to rush to the IVF clinic immediately as soon as they notice any bleeding or spotting. It is better to take the above mentioned medicines immediately and inform the IVF Center that such an incidence has occurred.
- In case of excessive pain or bleeding, please visit the maternity & gynecology ward of our hospital which is open 24 x 7 for such emergency support for all our IVF patients.
- In case you have already taken the above mentioned dosage of progesterone, but need reassurance, you may plan to visit our IVF clinic and discuss the further steps with our IVF & Infertility specialist Dr Gajendra Tomar.
- We usually ask patients to visit the IVF centre and perform an ultrasound scan to confirm that pregnancy is fine and progressing normally.
- In most cases of spotting and bleeding after IVF Embryo Transfer, the episode can recur later on as well. So do not worry if it happens again because it most likely will.
- Usually these episodes of spotting and bleeding after IVF Transfer / Embryo Transfer do not have any impact on continuing pregnancy.
What can I do if the episodes of spotting and bleeding continue every alternate day ?
If you have already taken the medication that has been prescribed by the IVF Specialist, all you should do is to follow the advice of the IVF specialist and hope for the best result.
Is it true that patients who do not see any spotting or bleeding have more chance of being successful in IVF ?
No. Just because some patients will not have any spotting or bleeding after Embryo Transfer, does not mean that their pregnancy will progress without problem.
And just because a patient has undergone spotting or bleeding after ET does not mean that the pregnancy is not going to be successful. Many times patients deliver healthy baby even after going though spotting and bleeding after their IVF Embryo Transfer.
Could I have done anything wrong to have caused bleeding & spotting after IVF Embryo Transfer?
As long as you have taken the prescribed medication for luteal support after your Embryo Transfer, there is not much you could have done to cause spotting and bleeding after ET.
To know more about the advice that our IVF clinic in Indore gives after Embryo Transfer, please visit our Blog on the same: Advice After Embryo Transfer.
Climbing stairs, sitting cross legged, sitting on the floor, traveling by bus, eating hot foot, eating papaya or pineapple in small quantities etc. will not cause spotting or bleeding after Embryo Transfer.
Does spotting after ET means that I have ectopic Pregnancy ?
No. There is no clear indication connecting the event of spotting or bleeding with ectopic pregnancy.
However it is advisable to undergo a Trans Vaginal Scan after 6 weeks of ET to visualize the pregnancy in the uterus.
