In Vitro Fertilization: What is the Mock Transfer Process?

If you are going through the in vitro fertilization process, more than likely your doctor is going to order a procedure known as the mock transfer process. Some people may know of it as the mock embryo transfer process. It is important to have this quick procedure done and below you will find out why.

What is the Mock Transfer Process

A mock transfer process in IVF is simply when the doctor inserts a catheter into your uterus to measure the length and depth. He does this so that when it is time to actually deposit embryos into your uterus he will know what type of catheter to use and know where to place the embryos.

Some women compare the process to having a pelvic exam, but that it went by much quicker. Basically what this process is doing is getting the doctor ready and prepared for the actual date that the embryos will be deposited into your uterus. The mock transfer process and the actual process of putting the embryos in is almost exactly the same. The only difference is that the doctor will leave the catheter in longer and will then look at the catheter under a microscope to ensure all of the embryos have been placed.

Does the Mock Transfer Process for In Vitro Fertilization Hurt

Some women feel no pain at all while others may have mild to moderate pain during and after the procedure. Most doctors will suggest taking 600mg of Ibuprofen 2 Extra Strength Tylenol prior to the procedure.

If the doctor is going to be taking a small sampling of the uterus (a small cut of tissue) then the pain may be intensified. Some women may have a high tolerance for pain but have a very low tolerance to this new type of pain. Not only will you be in the same position as you would for a pelvic exam and have a speculum inserted, but you will also be having a catheter running straight into your uterus and generally a vaginal ultrasound probe. This is a new type of pain and some women find it unbearable. This is another good reason that the doctor does a mock transfer prior to the actual placement of the embryos.

If you feel pain during the procedure you are liable to contract and cause the eggs to not implant properly. The process will also teach the doctor the unique bends and other anatomy of your cervix and uterus after the process so he will know exactly what size of catheter to use as well as the length and direction to go with the catheter to place the embryos.

What to Know Before Having a Mock Embryo Transfer Process

Know whether or not your doctor wants you to have a full bladder. Some doctors will want a full bladder while others don't care. The reason some prefer a full bladder is so that the imaging from the ultra sound is seen better and because it aligns the uterus better. During the day of the actual embryo transfer you will have to have a full bladder so some women go ahead and make sure their bladders are full prior to the procedure.

You should also know if the doctor plans on doing a "washing". Some doctors wash the cervix and uterus with a simple saline solution to get rid of any unnecessary film, mucus, or anything else lining the cervix or uterus. The reasoning behind this is that the embryos will attach better with less filmy material covering the cervix and uterus. You may want to use a sanitary napkin or maxi pad after the process for any residual fluid leaking out after the mock transfer process with the washing.

Some Doctors Do Not Do the Mock Transfer Process as Part of Protocol

Not all doctors require a mock transfer process before doing the actual embryo transfer process; however studies have shown that women how had a mock embryo transfer process done before the actual transfer were more likely to become pregnant than those that did not. It is reasonable to want the doctor to know and have on hand the right catheter necessary to do the job correctly. Studies have also shown that the reason some embryos did not implant is due to poor technique used during the transfer process.

You should suggest to your doctor a mock transfer process if he doesn't already have one planned for you. A mock transfer can be done just moments before the actual embryo transfer. This will let the doctor know what catheter size and length to use as well as learn the anatomy of your reproductive system so that the chances of having a successful in vitro fertilization are increased.

Resources:

General IVF Hints
http://www.fertilityplus.org/faq/ivfhints.html

Preliminary IVF Testing
http://www.ccivf.com/ivf_info/step_1.html

The correlation between mock embryo transfers prior to the start of IVF
cycle with real embryo transfer
http://www.ijrm.ir/library/upload/article/19-22.pdf