Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer: Post-Procedure Lifestyle

Once you've recovered from your zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT) procedure, you may have to make several changes to your lifestyle to help increase your chances of a successful and safe pregnancy. However, the post-procedure lifestyle may not be extremely different from your current lifestyle, depending on your individual case.

The First Week

The first week after your zygote intrafallopian transfer procedure is the most important when it comes to the procedure's chances of success. The ZIFT procedure has an average success rate of a little less than 30%, although it can be higher or lower depending on your health and age. After you've been discharged, you'll be asked to keep physical activity to a minimum and spend a lot of time on bedrest. You will then be asked to come in for an ultrasound and/or take a pregnancy test ten to fourteen days after the procedure to see if you've successfully become pregnant.

Pre-Natal Care

If your fertility specialist confirms your pregnancy following your zygote intrafallopian transfer, you'll set up a regular schedule for sessions at the fertility clinic. The younger you are, the fewer complications you have in your reproductive system, and the less frequent these fertility sessions will be. However, if you're older or have deformities or injuries in your reproductive system, you may have to come in quite frequently. Expect to come for an ultrasound and testing anywhere between a couple of times per week and once every two weeks.

Vitamins and Diet

Although you may receive some injections during your regular fertility clinic visits, you'll also likely be given instructions for taking pre-natal vitamins and following a diet that's rich in calcium, vitamin C, folic acid, iron, protein and Vitamin A. You'll also be asked to abstain from:

  • Alcohol
  • Tobacco
  • Excessive amounts of caffeine (more than 300 mg daily)
  • Excessive amounts of fat (more than 30% of your calories for the day)
  • Excessive amounts of cholesterol (more than 300 mg daily)
  • Unpasteurized soft cheeses
  • Saccharin
  • Seafood that's high in mercury
  • Raw seafood

Physical Activity

The younger and healthier you are, the fewer restrictions there will be on your physical activity. You may be able to go to work early on in your pregnancy, once the initial week of recovery following your zygote intrafallopian transfer has passed. Just keep yourself hydrated, always have a healthy snack on hand and avoid rushing or stressing yourself.

At some point during your pregnancy--or quite early on in the pregnancy if you're older or experience reproductive system problems--you may be put on bedrest. This is so that the fetus isn't exposed to unnecessary stress. Your bedrest may be light, in that you can still walk around the house a few times a day to get up and stretch. However, you may also be put on strict bedrest, in which you will have to lie on your side and not leave the bed for any reason, which means that you'll have to use a bed pan and have a caregiver help you out.

Your fertility specialist will let you know if there are any additional instructions for your post-zygote intrafallopian transfer procedure lifestyle. Failure to follow these directions could decrease your chances for a healthy pregnancy.

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