Feeling really bloated!

[Ophee]

Hi there! I am new here.

This is my first IVF cycle ... and did my embryo transfer yesterday. I have PCOS, and started to feel bloated even before the retrieval. But feeling really awful after the retrieval, my doc said it's due to OHSS. Will this affect the chance of getting pregnant? Is there anything I can do to ease this bloating feeling?

[Ghost]

OHSS is a serious side effect of ovarian stimulation, but does not greatly impact your chance of pregnancy. However, a pregnancy can impact your OHSS, and make it worsen and last longer.

OHSS is a side effect of your stimulation and the hCG injection you received to "trigger ovulation". hCG causes the granulosa cells of your (many) "spent follicles" to produce another hormone called VEGF. VEGF is the likely direct cause of OHSS. The hCG from your injection is fading, but that's the same hormone that an impanting embryo will produce to signal your "spent follicles" to keep producing hormones, in order to stave off menses. The hCG from a pregnancy will dwarf that from the injection.

Follow your physician's instructions very carefully with your OHSS.

[bekkie31]

Hey, I am feeling bloated too and I have no PCOS . 1st IVF. My check-up was fine and my egg collection is wednesday. I am longing for the eggs to be taken out - keep having to drink loads and go for a pee often too. Also a bit restless at night and feeling a little sick.
It,s all new to me too - lets just hope for the best for us all

Good luck Bekki

[Ophee]

Ghost, thank you so much for your detailed explanation and suggestion. I will stay close to my doctor suggestion and monitoring. Just went down for a checkup today, doc said I look OK.

In fact, I feel better today, may be I have gotten used to this bloated tummy. As both my doc and Ghost said that the implantation will worsen the bloating ... it makes me worry that the implantation doesn't happen in me.

Anyway, I can't worry too much now ... it's really out of my control already.

[Ghost]

Ghost, thank you so much for your detailed explanation and suggestion. I will stay close to my doctor suggestion and monitoring. Just went down for a checkup today, doc said I look OK.

In fact, I feel better today, may be I have gotten used to this bloated tummy. As both my doc and Ghost said that the implantation will worsen the bloating ... it makes me worry that the implantation doesn't happen in me.

Anyway, I can't worry too much now ... it's really out of my control already.

It's too early for any effect from your embryos. They can't implant until about 7 days after fertilization, and the hCG they produce will not be detectable until a few days after that. The effect you saw was from the hCG injection. It's 100% good news that it's fading.

[Ophee]

Whew!! Ghost, you are so nice ... you really make me feel better!! Thank you so much!!

[Ophee]

Ghost, after just a few days of fading, I am feeling that the bloating is coming back (it's not as bad as the previous one, but I can really feel that it's back). I felt extremely tired yesterday and my tummy started to bloat again. Despite that, I am losing weight, I lost 2 lbs this week. Is this normal??

My appetite is going hair-wired as well ... at one time, I felt like swallowing the whole cow (I finished half a regular pizza in less than half minutes, which normally takes me more than 15 minutes), and then the next day, I don't feel like eating anything at all.

Is this good news or bad news??

Cheers
Ophee

[Ophee]

It's getting bad today ... it's worse that before. I came back really quick during the weekend and I feel extremely bloated today ... and the 2lbs I lost came back quickly too.

I am going for my beta tomorrow ... very excited, even though I have cheated with a HPT today ... and it shows positive.

Any thing I can do to ease the bloating? Is it going to get worse if I come out positive?

Cheers,
Ophee

[pcosgirl]

Hi Ophee,
I too have PCOS and have OHSS. It was pretty scary at first, but like you said, you get used to the bloating. I gained 5 lbs. in 3 days and 5 inches to my waist line in one day after the retrieval. I have heard that people with PCOS are more succeptible to this than others.

Today is day 5 of the 2WW and the bloating is finally starting to go down (lost 1.5 lbs. and 2 inches). I am really curious to see how yours goes especially since you got the BFP on the home pregnancy test. Good luck with the beta test and I hope you feel better.

[Ophee]

Hi pcosgirl,

I had 3 beta HCG and the result are:
918 - 13dp3dt
3,444 - 15dp3dt
17,014 - 19dp3dt

And had the last scan on 5w3d, it shown up with 2 sacs, so it's twins!!

It's normal that your OHSS settling after a few days after the EC/ET as the HCG shot given to you to triggle the ovulation is diminishing. If you feel the bloating coming back in the next few days, don't be surprise as that would be good news. Mine came back at around 8dp3dt (it came back that quickly because of the high HCG produced by 2 beanies) ... gained 7lbs in 3 days and almost 10 inches with my waist line. And it started to go away at 5w.

Wish you good luck with your test ... I know it's hard with the 2ww.

Cheers
Ophee

[pcosgirl]

Hey Ophee,
Congratulations on twins! Your beta levels look great!

I have never wished to be bloated, but that is exactly what I am going to be praying for the next couple of days. The bloating has subsided quite a bit and I am trying eat more fruits and veggies to aid that along. I am 6dp7dt. Wish me luck.

Take care,

[Ophee]

pcosgirl, it good that the bloating in going away ... I surely know how terrible that felt like. Take it easy and the time will just fly. In fact, the OHSS is not as bad as the morning sickness ... which is really killing me now.

BTW, my doctor found 3 beanies from my scan yesterday. And that tell why my bloating was so had and also my morning sickness.

[pcosgirl]

OH MY GOODNESS!! Triplets....wow! That is wonderful. Did you have three embryoes implanted or did one split? I hope your morning sickness gets better. Is it morning sickness or all day sickness?

On the bloating note, mine is definitely back and just when you predicted at 8dp. Today it is uncomfortable and I am hungry and tired. I hope Friday is a BFP.

[Ophee]

pcosgirl, bloating returning is a good sign ... which mean your HCG is coming back from embies implantation. Oh! I am so happy for you (not about the bloating), I am sure it will be a BFP! Good luck with your test, please tell me the BFP as soon as you gotten it.

You are right, it's not a morning sickness ... it's really a all-day sickness. Well, it kind of started after 8:30 am and last the whole day. The only time I am feeling great is when I am sleeping ... ha ha!! But the PIO shot has given me sore muscle and tireness all day long. Not sure when the doc will stop the PIO shot ... as it's triplets, I doubt he will stop soon.

Actually, I had a 3 embies transferred ... as all of the 3 embies were not in very good quality, the doc recommend to put all 3. He was shocked too as he couldn't believed that himself. We will have a very tough decision to make after 3 weeks if all 3 beanies grow ... the doc opt for selective reduction to reduce the risk for the babies and the mother. We'll see!!

Take care!

[pcosgirl]

Hi Ophee,
Yes, that is a very difficult decision to make so you are in my prayers. It seems like this whole IVF process is full of hard decisions that most people are oblivious to.

Yesterday was a bit of a scare. I called my doc and told them about the reoccurence of the OHSS and they had me come straight in for a check up. I was nervous that they wanted to see me so quickly, but she basically told me the same thing that you did in that it was a good sign and went ahead and drew blood for the preg. test. I am climbing the walls right now!!!!!

My ovaries are grapefruits again and smushig my uterus and there is more fluid this time. Was yours painful? I had a rough night last night with everything pushing up under my ribcage. Did you experience that too? I go back in tomorrow so they can monitor the swelling. Til then, comfy clothes and lots of water!!!

Talk to you soon!