Embryo transfer (ET)

Embryo transfer (ET) is the procedure in which an embryo, either fresh or previously frozen and warmed, is placed into the uterine cavity using a thin, flexible catheter passed through the cervix. It is usually done without sedation, guided by ultrasound, and does not generally require anaesthesia. Embryo transfer is not the same as implantation: implantation is a separate biological process that happens over the following days, in which the embryo must attach to and interact with the uterine lining, and it can succeed or fail independently of how the transfer procedure itself went. A technically straightforward transfer does not guarantee implantation, and a difficult transfer does not necessarily prevent it; this distinction is often a source of confusion and is worth discussing with your clinical team.

Also known as: ET, embryo implantation procedure, embryo transfer procedure

Last reviewed: 9 September 2026. Written by the Antega Editorial Team. General information only — always follow the advice of your own clinic, doctor or pharmacist.