Ultrasonographic evidence that bedrest after embryo transfer is useless
Marieke J Lambers1, Cornelis B Lambalk, Roel Schats
1Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, VU Medical Center, NL-1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands. mj.lambers@vumc.nl
Background:
To demonstrate the effect of immediate ambulation after embryo transfer on the intrauterine location of the transfer content.
Methods:
Prospective observational randomized controlled study.
Results:
Fifty-seven patients (47.5%) had one air bubble at transfer and after 15 min change in position: group A (bedrest) 2.69 mm, group B (immediate ambulation) 2.00 mm (p = 0.511). The distance from the fundus declined by 26% in group A and 15% in group B (p = 0.229). Twenty-eight patients (23.3%) had two air bubbles at transfer and after 15 min: average change in position of the first air bubble: group A 3.07 mm, group B 1.80 mm (p = 0.282); average change in position of the second air bubble: group A 2.69 mm, group B 1.80 mm (p = 0.450). The distance from the fundus for the first air bubble declined by 2% in group A and 18% in group B (p = 0.593) and for the second air bubble by 22% in group A and 15% in group B (p = 0.711).
Conclusions:
This study demonstrates that the transfer content is not affected by the immediate ambulation after transfer, illustrating why there is no rationale for bedrest after transfer.
