According to Doctor Tran Ngoc Van Anh from the Assisted Reproductive Technology Department at Tam Anh General Hospital - District 8 (IVF Tam Anh District 8), after embryo transfer, women should follow a diet similar to that of pregnant women to ensure they receive all the necessary nutrients. Seafood is rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, essential vitamins, and iron. However, it should be consumed in moderation.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that pregnant women consume no more than 340g of seafood per week. This is because some types of seafood can contain mercury. Consuming too much mercury can negatively impact fetal brain development, increasing the risk of birth defects, premature birth, or miscarriage. Larger fish tend to contain more mercury than smaller fish. Therefore, women after embryo transfer should avoid eating swordfish, king mackerel, tuna, and similar fish.

Consuming large quantities of seafood can also increase the risk of allergies or cause nausea, bloating, and abdominal pain due to its high protein content, which can be difficult for the body to digest. Many parasites, such as liver flukes and tapeworms, can also be present in seafood. Women before or after embryo transfer should not consume raw seafood. It's important to choose fresh, traceable food and cook it thoroughly to ensure the health of both the mother and the fetus. Eating fruit about two hours before or after consuming seafood can help the body absorb nutrients better and avoid potential health risks.

Doctor Van Anh consults with a patient. Photo: Nguyen Thang

Doctor Van Anh consults with a patient. Photo: Nguyen Thang

In addition to seafood, women should maintain a balanced diet with all food groups, including foods rich in folic acid such as whole grains, leafy green vegetables, avocados, beans, corn, broccoli, and citrus fruits. Folic acid and B vitamins are essential for the development of the fetal neural tube. Women should regularly include about 500 μg of folic acid daily in their diet starting one month before embryo transfer and during the first two months of pregnancy, increasing to 600 μg per day for the remaining months.

The diet should also include iron-rich foods like beetroot, spinach, and pumpkin seeds. Iron helps the body synthesize hemoglobin, transport oxygen to cells, and maintain tissue function, including the reproductive system. Nuts, milk, dairy products, potatoes, and oysters are rich in zinc, which helps reduce free radicals, balance hormones, and thicken the uterine lining, creating an ideal environment for embryo implantation and development.

Women should consume plenty of foods containing healthy fats, such as olive oil and salmon oil. Drinking enough water daily helps the body maintain circulation, metabolism, strengthens the immune system, and aids digestion. Adequate water intake is recommended throughout the IVF treatment process. This can include plain water, smoothies, milk, and soups as part of daily meals.

Before and after embryo transfer, women should avoid fast food high in saturated fat, canned goods containing preservatives, unpasteurized dairy products, foods high in sugar, and spicy foods. Carefully select food sources that are traceable, fresh, and prepared hygienically.

Hoai Thuong