Anonymous wrote:An HSG isn't just to look at the tubes--it does reveal the status of the uterus, including any polyps. It may not be timely if done well before any transfer, but it does show whether the uterus has scarring, polyps, etc. at the time of the test.

This is incorrect. An HSG (hysterosalpingogram) is to check tubal patency with a dye/contrast injected into the cervix/uterine cavity using xray. A sono HSG (hysterogram) is when saline is injected into the uterine cavity to check for filling defects such as polyps, fibroids intruding on the lining, etc. using ultrasound. These are two different tests.

To answer the original thread question, most mock transfers are performed right after the retrieval while still asleep unless a sono HSG as described above was done.

Anonymous wrote:An HSG isn't just to look at the tubes--it does reveal the status of the uterus, including any polyps. It may not be timely if done well before any transfer, but it does show whether the uterus has scarring, polyps, etc. at the time of the test.

Not my experience. I had an HSG completed before I started my IUI cycles and the focus was on my fallopian tubes. The doctor did not evaluate the uterine lining or scarring. Too bad for me because five months later it was discovered that I had scarring that needed to be addressed before I could proceed with IVF. Think it depends on your doctor and I wouldn't count on HSG to detect any uterine defect, particularly if it's not timely.

An HSG isn't just to look at the tubes--it does reveal the status of the uterus, including any polyps. It may not be timely if done well before any transfer, but it does show whether the uterus has scarring, polyps, etc. at the time of the test.

Anonymous wrote:Had a successful pregnancy a few years ago locally and never had a mock transfer. Just transferred to Dominion and although I saw mock transfer as one of the options on the list, they didn't check it as part of my protocol.

As far as polyps and all that, wouldn't that have been seen in an HSG, which I believe most women would have had prior to IVF?

This is 13:56 who had a polyp discovered as part of the mock transfer. My HSG focused strictly on whether or not the fallopian tubes were blocked. But more importantly, there was 9 months between the HSG and the mock transfer where I had a polyp. The polyp can develop quickly which is one of the reasons my RE does a mock transfer before every IVF cycle.

Had a successful pregnancy a few years ago locally and never had a mock transfer. Just transferred to Dominion and although I saw mock transfer as one of the options on the list, they didn't check it as part of my protocol.

As far as polyps and all that, wouldn't that have been seen in an HSG, which I believe most women would have had prior to IVF?

I agree with PP 13:56 that it's important to check for scarring and polyps before starting a cycle, but a mock transfer is not required for this. At CFA my RE's protocol was to do a sono and B/W on the first day before giving the go ahead to start stims.

And it is possible to do the mock just before the actual tansfer (I.e. same day)...first insert without embryo, then reinsert with one. This seems optimal to me b/c if the retrieval caused any increased sensitivity, your RE will know right away and can adjust prior to inserting the embryo.

A mock transfer isn't just important to determine catheter size and alignment of your uterus, it also allows the doctor to confirm that there aren't issues like scarring or polyps that might limit success. I am the PP who had a polyp detected in my mock transfer (it was removed and I got pregnant that cycle). I would encourage everyone to ask about it. It just seems sort of lazy of the doctors not to do it.

I did 2 fresh cycles at CFA w/ dr Rifka & never had one either. That said, I was lucky & both cycles were successful, so I don't think it negatively affected anything. Good luck!

when in the cycle does a mock transfer happen?

I also had my first IVF with Dr. Sacks and no mention of a mock transfer. From what I can tell, the reason to have one is to allow the RE to figure out what type of catheter to use: thickness and length.

http://voices.yahoo.com/in-vitro-fertilization-mock-transfer-process-7277112.html?cat=52

I don't know if this is the reason, but I had previously had two IUIs and so he knew going in that I have a tilted uterus which requires some extra maneuvering (this was also already determined from my HSG). In the end, he did end up needing to switch catheters because I was a little tighter more swollen. I think this was the result of the stims and retrieval, so I don't think a mock would have helped. It also didn't really affect the transfer process. He basically first inserted the catheter and the embryo was injected after, so there was no difference in terms of having to move the embryo or anything.

I didn't know enough to ask about a mock, but I don't see any harm in doing so. I agree that CFA is disorganized, but if this was something that the RE thinks is required then they would notice if a patient came in and hadn't had one...and there was definitely no discussion of it for my transfer.

FWIW, my IVF ended in a + followed by a m/c due to a chromosomal abnormality. Dr. Sacks said the pregnancy implanted exactly where he expected it to, so I don't think the lack of a mock transfer affected my actual transfer in any way.

There was never any mention of a mock transfer when I did my cycle at CFA a few months ago. In fact, I'd never heard of it except for reading about in on this forum.

Absolutely ask about this, OP. One of my mock transfers at SGFC detected a polyp which I had to have removed before my transfer. It's an important step and your doc should be on top of it.

SG requires one each time! Currently competing my 5th which I think is a bit of overkill but they insist!

they are very disorganized so you should ask about it.

I'm getting closer to an embryo transfer, I hope, and I am just now learning about mock transfers. I am at CFA with Dr. Sacks and never had one of these. Is it necessary? Is it something I should ask the doctor about? Just curious now as to why I wouldn't have had this.