Post
by cmg » Mon Oct 24, 2005 8:59 am
Hi Melody
It's a big thing you're going through here and it's completely normal to be anxious and scared but try not panic. It's generally a bigger deal emotionally than physically. I've only been through it once, this summer, but this was my experience:
- egg collection: I was under heavy sedation, which is not a full on general anaesthetic, but I was out for the whole thing and don't remember anything about it. You come round more quickly than from a general anaesthetic.
- after egg collection: I felt absolutely fine immediately afterwards but unfortunately I was sick in the car on the way home. That was just a reaction to the sedation and also it was a hot day, we were stuck in a jam. I was ok after that. I think some people can be sick after anaesthesia and some aren't, I was just a bit unlucky.
- next few days: the worst thing (and I think this is fairly common) is bloating. They pump your abdomen full of gas to see your ovaries properly, so you can be left rather swollen up. This sometimes causes some gas pain and difficulty standing up straight. Also your ovaries get rather full because all those empty cavaties fill up with fluid, so they can be a bit sore, but mine were only sore if I poked them. So I didn't do that! The clinic gave me painkillers but I didn't even take one, so really the pain is not a big deal. I spent the afternoon after EC in bed, but was up and about after that, though taking it easy and not always standing up straight!
- embryo transfer: this is quite similar to a smear test (a pap test to you, I think). Getting the speculum in place was by far the most uncomfortable bit, after that it was easy. They'd fed the fine tube through my cervix before I had any idea that it had happened and I didn't feel a thing. I found it quite emotional and held DH's hand and looked at him and thought we were making babies.
- after ET: there was still a bit of the post-EC bloating going on, but it was diminishing. There didn't seem to be any specific after effects of ET, though I think some people get a bit of spotting.
There are mixed views on what you should do after ET. One school of thought is that you should have 3 days strict bed rest, which I sort of managed. It was more 3 days lying around on the sofa with my feet up watching telly. Other people just get on with their lives as normal. You have to do what feels right for you.
The other thing I did was try to find things to relax me when I got anxious. I found a very good shiatsu practioner who was prepared to come to the house and that really calmed me down. A bit of gentle yoga also helped.
Good luck with it. Your fears are perfectly normal, we've all been there and we've all come out the side to tell the tale. You'll be ok.
Caroline
me - 44, DH - 48
2002 ectopic (natural conception)
2004 1st IVF cancelled following brain seizure
2005 June/July 2nd IVF - negative
2005 Nov FET - postponed cos my Mum died
2006 - Feb FET planned, but neither frostie survived the thaw.