Fresh blastocyst (day 5 to 6) stage transfer seems to be more effective than cleavage (day 2 or 3) stage transfer in assisted reproductive technologies. The Cochrane study showed a small improvement in live birth rate per couple for blastocyst transfers. This would mean that for a typical rate of 31% in clinics that use early cleavage stage cycles, the rate would increase to 32% to 41% live births if clinics used blastocyst transfer. Recent systematic review showed that along with selection of embryo, the techniques followed during transfer procedure may result in successful pregnancy outcome. The following interventions are supported by the literature for improving pregnancy rates:
Abdominal ultrasound guidance for embryo transfer
Removal of cervical mucus
Use of soft embryo transfer catheters
Placement of embryo transfer tip in the upper or middle (central) area of the uterine cavity, greater than 1 cm from the fundus, for embryo expulsion
Immediate ambulation once the embryo transfer procedure is completed