What can cause implantation to fail? Unfortunately, various conditions can hamper the proper implantation of a
How common is failed implantation? Failed embryo implantation is complex and more common than you may think. In a natural pregnancy, it's believed that somewhere between 40 to 60% of embryos are lost during the period between fertilization and birth [3].
When an embryo fails to implant, there can only be two logical reasons: the embryo is not good enough (genetically abnormal), or the endometrium is not “receptive” (doesn't allow the embryo to implant) enough.
Another possible symptom of failed implantation is a decrease in progesterone levels. Progesterone is a hormone that is critical for maintaining the uterine lining and supporting a developing embryo. If progesterone levels drop too soon after ovulation, it can be a sign that implantation has not occurred.
Implantation failure is related to either maternal factors or embryonic causes. Maternal factors include uterine anatomic abnormalities, thrombophilia, non-receptive endometrium and immunological factors.
Generally, when implantation occurs, you may experience sensitive breasts and mild abdominal cramping. If you haven't experienced these in the weeks after your embryo transfer, it may be indicative that the implantation has failed. Additionally, you may experience vaginal bleeding.
Fig. 8: Mental stress may alter the functional status of endometrium receptivity, thus affecting early pregnancy. Normally, the successful implantation and development of embryos depend on the function of the endometrium during the receptivity phase.
Unfortunately, even if an egg is successfully fertilized, it is possible for the embryo to fail to implant in the uterine lining. In two out of three cases, this is due to inadequate uterine receptivity.
Spot the signs.
Symptoms of a miscarriage include bleeding, cramping or having very few pregnancy symptoms such as nausea or vomiting. A sudden dip in pregnancy symptoms earlier than nine or 10 weeks of pregnancy can also indicate a miscarriage, according to experts.
Overall, there is a kind of immunosuppression going on during pregnancy, both in the womb and to some extent throughout the body. Earlier, we said that normally fetuses are not rejected; the same is true of an embryo that has implanted in the uterus and is well underway to becoming a fetus.
But sometimes he or she may discover an untreated health problem, such as an autoimmune disease — where the mother's immune system attacks the embryo — a thyroid problem, a misshapen uterus or one of a few very rare disorders that can make your body reject pregnancies.
Successful implantation depends on the crosstalk between embryo and endometrium. Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) is a clinical phenomenon characterized by a lack of implantation after the transfer of several embryos and disturbs approximately 10% couples undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.
According to our study, sperm morphology was not different in the IVF or ICSI groups. Contrary to this finding, it has been reported that cases with a low percentage of morphologically normal sperm ( < 4%), and low sperm concentration and motility are at a high risk of fertilization failure (23).
Of those fertilised eggs, around 15% will be lost before implantation begins. Of those which begin to implant, only about half will implant successfully.
There's no evidence to show that any sleeping position is better than any other for embryo implantation. The embryo is transferred when your womb is ready, when the lining is soft and thick and ideal for an embryo to implant. You can lie however you like – just get comfy.
While it's unlikely that stress alone can cause infertility, stress interferes with a woman's ability to get pregnant. Research has shown that women with a history of depression are twice as likely to experience infertility. Anxiety also can prolong the time needed to achieve pregnancy.
If implantation does not occur, the egg and uterine lining are shed during the menstrual period. After dividing into about 100 cells, the egg becomes what is known as a blastocyst. The uterine lining has many blood vessels, so when the fertilized egg (blastocyst) pushes into the lining, bleeding can occur.
Lamppa says that the blastocyst usually implants in your uterine wall about 6 to 10 days after it's been fertilized by sperm. There's about a 12 to 24-hour window for fertilization to happen during ovulation.
Indications that implantation has happened can include bleeding and cramping. Implantation bleeding is spotting or light bleeding that takes place about 1–2 weeks after fertilization. It is usually short-lived and lighter than a normal period. The blood is often paler than menstrual blood or can be a rusty brown.
During the two-week wait, it's better to err on the side of caution. Avoid having a drink, smoking, or any other activity that could be harmful to a brand new pregnancy. It's fine to continue exercising if you already have a workout routine, but now might not be the time to take up a new, intense form of exercise.
The major reason why an IVF cycle is not successful is because of the quality of the embryo. Many embryos are not able to implant after transfer to the uterus because they are defective in some way. Even the embryos that look good in the lab may have defects that cause them to die rather than grow.
Partake in regular, moderate exercise. Most of us have relatively sedentary lives these days, with desk jobs which keep us sitting for hours. During that time, blood flow slows and the reproductive organs are compressed. If you are trying to improve your uterine lining, moving your body is very important.