The Tradition of the McDonald’s French Fry
IVF culture has some iconic moments: the meds haul photo, the first injection panic, the “is this follicle big enough” obsession, and the emotional support heating pad. But one tradition has taken on near-mythical status: the post-transfer McDonalds french fry run.
Thousands of people who just underwent one of the most carefully orchestrated medical procedures on earth immediately drive to McDonalds and order salty fries like they’re performing a sacred rite. No, it’s not written in any clinical protocol. Yes, people are very serious about it.
Let’s break this down like besties who also appreciate a little chaos.
So where did the fry rule come from?
No one has an official citation with lab-coated researchers saying “McDonalds increases implantation odds by 38 percent.” The most logical origin story is that salt can help with fluid balance. Ok, cool.
Some clinics suggest bumping up salt for a couple days after egg retrieval because it can help pull excess fluid out while your ovaries are still irritated from stimulation (hello water retention and OHSS risk!) But that advice is not a strict French fry prescription. Anything salty counts: olives, kettle corn, coconut water, salted nuts, prosciutto, whatever snack feels good. When it comes to embryo transfer though, there is no clinical reason for a salty snack at all. The fries tradition just kind of spilled over into the next milestone because IVF culture loves a ritual.
Translation: the fries were originally about bloating, not baby-sticking.
Does it work?
There is zero scientific evidence that eating fries makes embryos more likely to implant. You could get fries from McDonalds, Chick-fil-A, Five Guys, or air-fried at home and your uterus will not know the difference.
But before you toss the fries out the window, there is something to consider: feeling like you’re doing something can matter emotionally. IVF has massive moments where you have absolutely no control, and rituals give your brain something to anchor onto. That counts!
Honestly, it became tradition for the same reason pineapple bracelets and lucky socks exist: IVF patients built their own culture when the medical side didn’t meet the emotional side.
My take?
Eat the fries if it makes you smile. Skip them if you don’t care. Get drive-thru fries, frozen fries, waffle fries, bougie truffle fries - it changes nothing about your success rate. The embryo won’t ask, “Where are my McDonalds fries?” while trying to implant.
The fries are not the magic.
You are.
If I were helping you through your cycle, my advice would be: embrace whatever harmless rituals give you grounding. IVF is part science, part logistics, part emotional endurance. If fries help you mark the moment with something that feels good, go for it. If not, find your own tradition.
Bonus points: If you want to nerd out a little bit, check out this paper! Some very smart humans did a study trying to find out what actually does help with implantation. I’ll write up another blog post on this soon!