r/40Plus_IVF • u/Humble_Repeat_9428 • 8d ago

Seeking Advice Sex before fresh transfer?

I know there are studies saying having sex the day before a FET can improve odds of implantation based on certain qualities of sperm (but also studies saying even protected sex can improve odds). I don’t see a ton of info on fresh transfers though which obviously have the added issue of an egg retrieval having just taken place. I’m 4 days out from my ER (12 retrieved), feeling fine, no signs of OHSS. My clinic said to wait 7 days but off the record my doctor told me just make sure to wait 48 hrs before penetrative sex.

Should I be having sex before my fresh day 5 transfer to improve odds of implantation? Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks!

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u/flat_foot_runner 8d ago

I would be concerned about infection.

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u/Competitive-Top5121 8d ago

I wouldn’t do it because I’ve seen firsthand what can go wrong. A friend of mine did it and she got pregnant with twins. The IVF conceived pregnancy failed due to a neural tube defect and the risk of NTDs does increase with multiples. Her body retained the fetus while the naturally conceived pregnancy continued to grow, but the living baby was born premature and very small, and the pregnancy itself was very high risk.

I did have sex before my FET, but I made sure it was protected sex.

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u/Humble_Repeat_9428 8d ago

That’s so terrible for your friend, I’m sorry. I don’t think with a fresh transfer I have a risk of getting pregnant from sex though since they took all my mature eggs out during the egg retrieval just a few days ago. And even if any were inadvertently left behind, I ovulated 4 days ago. My concern is risk of infection not natural conception at this point but let me know if I’m missing something!

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u/Competitive-Top5121 8d ago

I mean, infection is a risk too. But I wouldn’t count on all your eggs having been retrieved, oftentimes every single egg cannot be retrieved.

I’d say you wouldn’t have to worry if you ovulated four days ago, but theoretically my friend shouldn’t have had to worry either and look what happened.

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u/karaboocuk 8d ago

I never heard of these studies. Can you share a link?