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IVF discharge instructions

Apr 13, 2021

You may:

  • Have abdominal fullness or bloating
  • Feel more tired than normal
    • Your energy level should get better over the next few days. You may return to work tomorrow unless your care team tells you different.
  • Have discomfort, especially after activity
    • Take the prescription pain medicine you are given if needed.
    • Take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) as needed. Do not take more than 3,000 mg in 24 hours.
    • Do not take NSAIDs (Ibuprofen®, Naproxen®, Aspirin®, Aleve®) if you will have a fresh embryo transfer.

These are normal changes.

Restrictions after IVF

  • Do not drive or sign legal documents for 24 hours.
  • Do not have intercourse or use tampons for 2 weeks.
  • You may bathe and shower as normal.
  • Eat and drink as normal.
  • Take Milk of Magnesia® if you are constipated (cannot have a bowel movement).

Follow-up after IVF

Fresh embryo transfer:

  • Call the patient information line tomorrow afternoon for your fertilization report.
  • Call the patient information line again in 3 days for your scheduled embryo transfer time.

Frozen embryo transfer:

Call the patient information line tomorrow afternoon for your fertilization report.

Call your care team right away if you have:

  • Heavy, bright red bleeding like a menstrual period
  • Fever of 100.4° F (38° C)
  • Abdominal pain that does not get better after taking pain medicine
  • Sudden weight gain of more than 5 pounds
  • Less urine output
  • A hard time breathing
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness
Last reviewed April 2021