IVF Post-transplant Considerations: A Guide to Comprehensive Care for Surrogate Mothers – Surrogate Mother

I. Post-operative daily care
For surrogate mothers, care after embryo transfer is crucial. The following details need special attention:
1 Emotion management
– Reduce anxiety by diverting attention through meditation, light music or reading. Avoid excessive focus on the result and maintain a calm mind.
– If nervousness occurs, communicate with counsellor or family members to reduce psychological burden.

2 Dietary principles
– Recommended diet: High protein (fish, shrimp, lean meat), vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables (spinach, broccoli, blueberries) and whole grains.
– Foods to avoid: spicy, fried foods, caffeinated drinks (coffee, strong tea), cold foods (crabs, watermelon, dragon fruit).
– Special needs of surrogate mothers: People at high risk (e.g. Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome) need to eat small, frequent meals of easy-to-digest fluids or semi-fluids.
3 Activity and rest
– Avoid heavy lifting, jumping, high-intensity exercise (e.g. jogging, cycling), but can walk for 20-30 minutes daily to promote blood circulation.
– Sleeping time is recommended to be 7-8 hours. Use a maternity pillow to reduce the pressure on the waist, but there is no need to lie down strictly flat (the embryo will not be dislodged due to the posture).

Critical period for embryo implantation
The first 8 days after the transfer is the critical stage of embryo implantation, surrogate mothers need to focus on:
– Bedding timeline:
◦ Days 3-5: the embryo begins to invade the endometrium.
◦ Days 6-8: Gradual rooting and establishment of placental connections.
– Precautions:
◦ Avoid heat to the abdomen (e.g. hot water bag, electric blanket), high temperatures may affect embryo activity.
◦ Slight abdominal pain or small amount of bleeding is a normal reaction, but if it continues to worsen you need to contact your doctor immediately.

Nutrition and digestive health
1 Bowel movement promotion programme
– Dietary fibre: daily intake of pulses (e.g. cooked cowpeas), oats, chia seeds.
– Moisture & Probiotics: Warm water + honey in the morning, unsweetened yoghurt supplement after dinner.
– Contraindications: Avoid relying on laxatives to prevent triggering contractions.
2 Nutrient Supplement
– Folic acid (400-800μg/day), DHA (200-300mg/day) and multivitamins can enhance the stability of embryonic development.

IV. List of prohibited behaviours
Surrogate mothers need to strictly avoid the following risks:
1 High temperature exposure: sauna, hot springs and prolonged sun exposure are prohibited to prevent embryo malformation.
2 Drugs and toxins:
– Quit smoking and alcohol, avoid second-hand smoke; if medication is needed (e.g. antipyretic), it must be approved by the fertility doctor.
3 Sex and intimacy: Sexual intercourse is prohibited for 2 weeks after the implantation; intimacy may trigger uterine contractions.
4 Urine retention and sedentary behaviour: urinate every 2 hours and get up every 30 minutes if you are sedentary.

V. Responding to Abnormal Symptoms
Seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occurs
– Severe abdominal pain: persistent cramps or unilateral pain (alert for ectopic pregnancy).
– Abnormal bleeding: blood volume exceeding the menstrual period or accompanied by tissue discharge.
– High fever (≥38.5℃): may indicate infection, the cause needs to be investigated and targeted treatment.