Recovery travel guide
IVF recovery, day by day
There is no need for bed rest after embryo transfer. The rules are about walking instead of intense exercise, no baths, pools, spas or saunas for two weeks, no alcohol, and moving regularly on long journeys.
When the limits lift
Within the 7 days this guide covers, according to the cited guidance:
- Walking and exercise: with care from day 1.
- Baths, pools, spas and saunas: still off-limits on day 7. Ask your surgeon when it is safe.
- Alcohol: still off-limits on day 7. Ask your surgeon when it is safe.
- Long journeys and flying: with care from day 1.
- Warning signs: with care from day 1.
- Sun and heat: no limit in this guide.
Confirm with your surgeon. These are general activity limits from published aftercare guidance. Your clinic's written instructions always come first, and they may be stricter or looser for your procedure.
At a glance
- How long to stay
- Around 3 to 7 days for a frozen or donor-egg transfer; 2 to 3 weeks if stimulation and egg collection happen in the city
- What the rules are about
- There is no need for bed rest after embryo transfer. The rules are about walking instead of intense exercise, no baths, pools, spas or saunas for two weeks, no alcohol, and moving regularly on long journeys.
Recovery timeline
- Day of transfer
A short procedure. You can go back to the hotel and to normal light activity.
- Days 1 to 2
Most regular activities can resume within 1 or 2 days. Walking is encouraged; intensive exercise is not.
- Days 3 to 7
Normal sightseeing at a walking pace. Still no hot tubs, saunas, baths, pools or alcohol.
- The two-week wait
Your clinic gives a pregnancy test date, usually around 16 days after transfer. Travel is fine; walk regularly on long journeys.
Activity rules, day by day
Sun, water, exertion, heat, alcohol and flying, for each day of a typical stay. Every rule is sourced on the day pages.
| Rule | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walking and exercise | With care | With care | With care | With care | With care | With care | With care |
| Baths, pools, spas and saunas | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today |
| Alcohol | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today |
| Long journeys and flying | With care | With care | With care | With care | With care | With care | With care |
| Warning signs | With care | With care | With care | With care | With care | With care | With care |
| Sun and heat | OK | OK | OK | OK | OK | OK | OK |
✕ Not today ! With care ✓ OK
Day by day
Day 1
There is no particular need for rest. A slow walk and a seated sight make a calm first day.
All rules for day 1, with sources
Walking and exercise
No particular need for rest. Walking is advisable; intensive exercise should be avoided. Most activities can resume within 1 or 2 days.
Source: Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Fertility Medicine · CCRM Fertility
Baths, pools, spas and saunas
Avoid baths, swimming pools, spas and saunas for two weeks after embryo transfer. Showers are fine.
Source: Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Fertility Medicine · CCRM Fertility
Alcohol
Avoid alcohol after transfer. That includes beer tastings and wine tours.
Source: CCRM Fertility
Long journeys and flying
Travel is not a problem after transfer. On long car or plane journeys, take a short walk about once an hour and drink enough fluids.
Source: Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Fertility Medicine · NHS
Warning signs
If you had egg collection on this trip, tummy pain, bloating, shortness of breath or shoulder-tip pain need a call to your clinic the same day.
Source: NHS
Sun and heat
No specific restriction. Avoid getting overheated and drink plenty in summer.
Source: CCRM Fertility
Day 2
Most people are back to normal light activity. Walking is advisable; intensive exercise is not.
The rules are the same as yesterday.
All rules for day 2, with sources
Walking and exercise
No particular need for rest. Walking is advisable; intensive exercise should be avoided. Most activities can resume within 1 or 2 days.
Source: Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Fertility Medicine · CCRM Fertility
Baths, pools, spas and saunas
Avoid baths, swimming pools, spas and saunas for two weeks after embryo transfer. Showers are fine.
Source: Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Fertility Medicine · CCRM Fertility
Alcohol
Avoid alcohol after transfer. That includes beer tastings and wine tours.
Source: CCRM Fertility
Long journeys and flying
Travel is not a problem after transfer. On long car or plane journeys, take a short walk about once an hour and drink enough fluids.
Source: Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Fertility Medicine · NHS
Warning signs
If you had egg collection on this trip, tummy pain, bloating, shortness of breath or shoulder-tip pain need a call to your clinic the same day.
Source: NHS
Sun and heat
No specific restriction. Avoid getting overheated and drink plenty in summer.
Source: CCRM Fertility
Day 3
A full day of sightseeing at an easy pace is fine. Plan rest stops and keep water with you.
The rules are the same as yesterday.
All rules for day 3, with sources
Walking and exercise
No particular need for rest. Walking is advisable; intensive exercise should be avoided. Most activities can resume within 1 or 2 days.
Source: Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Fertility Medicine · CCRM Fertility
Baths, pools, spas and saunas
Avoid baths, swimming pools, spas and saunas for two weeks after embryo transfer. Showers are fine.
Source: Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Fertility Medicine · CCRM Fertility
Alcohol
Avoid alcohol after transfer. That includes beer tastings and wine tours.
Source: CCRM Fertility
Long journeys and flying
Travel is not a problem after transfer. On long car or plane journeys, take a short walk about once an hour and drink enough fluids.
Source: Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Fertility Medicine · NHS
Warning signs
If you had egg collection on this trip, tummy pain, bloating, shortness of breath or shoulder-tip pain need a call to your clinic the same day.
Source: NHS
Sun and heat
No specific restriction. Avoid getting overheated and drink plenty in summer.
Source: CCRM Fertility
Day 4
If you had egg collection on this trip, watch for tummy pain, bloating or breathlessness and call your clinic if they appear.
The rules are the same as yesterday.
All rules for day 4, with sources
Walking and exercise
No particular need for rest. Walking is advisable; intensive exercise should be avoided. Most activities can resume within 1 or 2 days.
Source: Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Fertility Medicine · CCRM Fertility
Baths, pools, spas and saunas
Avoid baths, swimming pools, spas and saunas for two weeks after embryo transfer. Showers are fine.
Source: Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Fertility Medicine · CCRM Fertility
Alcohol
Avoid alcohol after transfer. That includes beer tastings and wine tours.
Source: CCRM Fertility
Long journeys and flying
Travel is not a problem after transfer. On long car or plane journeys, take a short walk about once an hour and drink enough fluids.
Source: Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Fertility Medicine · NHS
Warning signs
If you had egg collection on this trip, tummy pain, bloating, shortness of breath or shoulder-tip pain need a call to your clinic the same day.
Source: NHS
Sun and heat
No specific restriction. Avoid getting overheated and drink plenty in summer.
Source: CCRM Fertility
Day 5
Keep to warm showers. Saunas, hot tubs, beer spas and thermal baths stay off the list for two weeks.
The rules are the same as yesterday.
All rules for day 5, with sources
Walking and exercise
No particular need for rest. Walking is advisable; intensive exercise should be avoided. Most activities can resume within 1 or 2 days.
Source: Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Fertility Medicine · CCRM Fertility
Baths, pools, spas and saunas
Avoid baths, swimming pools, spas and saunas for two weeks after embryo transfer. Showers are fine.
Source: Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Fertility Medicine · CCRM Fertility
Alcohol
Avoid alcohol after transfer. That includes beer tastings and wine tours.
Source: CCRM Fertility
Long journeys and flying
Travel is not a problem after transfer. On long car or plane journeys, take a short walk about once an hour and drink enough fluids.
Source: Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Fertility Medicine · NHS
Warning signs
If you had egg collection on this trip, tummy pain, bloating, shortness of breath or shoulder-tip pain need a call to your clinic the same day.
Source: NHS
Sun and heat
No specific restriction. Avoid getting overheated and drink plenty in summer.
Source: CCRM Fertility
Day 6
Long train or car day trips are fine if you stand up and walk about once an hour and drink enough.
The rules are the same as yesterday.
All rules for day 6, with sources
Walking and exercise
No particular need for rest. Walking is advisable; intensive exercise should be avoided. Most activities can resume within 1 or 2 days.
Source: Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Fertility Medicine · CCRM Fertility
Baths, pools, spas and saunas
Avoid baths, swimming pools, spas and saunas for two weeks after embryo transfer. Showers are fine.
Source: Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Fertility Medicine · CCRM Fertility
Alcohol
Avoid alcohol after transfer. That includes beer tastings and wine tours.
Source: CCRM Fertility
Long journeys and flying
Travel is not a problem after transfer. On long car or plane journeys, take a short walk about once an hour and drink enough fluids.
Source: Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Fertility Medicine · NHS
Warning signs
If you had egg collection on this trip, tummy pain, bloating, shortness of breath or shoulder-tip pain need a call to your clinic the same day.
Source: NHS
Sun and heat
No specific restriction. Avoid getting overheated and drink plenty in summer.
Source: CCRM Fertility
Day 7
Many people fly home around now. Walk the aisle hourly and stay hydrated.
The rules are the same as yesterday.
All rules for day 7, with sources
Walking and exercise
No particular need for rest. Walking is advisable; intensive exercise should be avoided. Most activities can resume within 1 or 2 days.
Source: Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Fertility Medicine · CCRM Fertility
Baths, pools, spas and saunas
Avoid baths, swimming pools, spas and saunas for two weeks after embryo transfer. Showers are fine.
Source: Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Fertility Medicine · CCRM Fertility
Alcohol
Avoid alcohol after transfer. That includes beer tastings and wine tours.
Source: CCRM Fertility
Long journeys and flying
Travel is not a problem after transfer. On long car or plane journeys, take a short walk about once an hour and drink enough fluids.
Source: Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Fertility Medicine · NHS
Warning signs
If you had egg collection on this trip, tummy pain, bloating, shortness of breath or shoulder-tip pain need a call to your clinic the same day.
Source: NHS
Sun and heat
No specific restriction. Avoid getting overheated and drink plenty in summer.
Source: CCRM Fertility
Recovering abroad? Pick your city
The city guides add what to see, what to skip and where to eat on each of these days.
IVF
Prague
7 days, day by day. There is no need for bed rest after embryo transfer.
Open the guide
Questions
Do I need bed rest after embryo transfer?
No. The hospital guidance cited here says there is no particular indication for rest, and walking is advisable.
Can I fly after embryo transfer?
Yes. On long flights, take a short walk about once an hour and drink enough fluids.
Questions people ask
Sources
- Advice after transfer of embryos in the case of IVF. Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Fertility Medicine. Checked 2 November 2026.
- What to expect after embryo transfer. CCRM Fertility (clinic patient guide). Checked 2 November 2026.
- IVF (in vitro fertilisation). NHS (UK). Checked 2 November 2026.
- In vitro fertilisation (IVF). Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (UK regulator). Checked 2 November 2026.
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): long journeys. NHS (UK). Checked 2 November 2026.