How long did you take off work after ET?

Natalie Anne · Post by **Natalie Anne** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 11:01 am

A question for all of you lucky ladies on this side -

i've just received a -ive for my 3rd FET and am wondering if stress is a big factor. i went back to work 5 days after my FET but encountered extreme stress (had one of those weeks where everything goes wrong and you get no help!) i ended up sobbing and had sharp, stabbing pains in my lower abdomen.

i have heard that stress causes your uterus to contract and i am wondering if this prevented my embies from implanting.

Do you think i should take longer off work next time? How long did you take off work?

My embies have always been grade 1 and endometrium has always been "perfect" (according to my consultant) so my problem seems to be implantation. Any advice much appreciated.

Natalie

Susie · Post by **Susie** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 5:19 pm

Hi,
Sorry to hear about your negatives. Being honest I'm not too sure whether stress plays a part or not. On both my ICSI's I told my boss I was in the 2ww and I didnt want stress. I had ET on Thur and went back to work on Tue, but by the weekend I'd been given something stressful to do so I went to my doctor and got signed off sick for the rest of the 2ww.
I think you should do what you think is best.
The only advice I was given by my clinic was if you question wether or not you should be doing something coz you may blame it after then dont do it.
If you feel taking the time off would help then go for it.
Good luck
Susie

ESTHER · Post by **ESTHER** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 6:16 pm

Hie Nat

Some people say it really doesnt matter how long you take before going back to work after embryo transfer as long as you rest the first 3 crucial days.

But as for me I took the whole 2wks off and stayed indoors. I avoided climbing stairs which was my worry if I was to leave the house, because I have two lots of stairs to climb. So I chose to get bored indoors for the whole 2wks. I got lucky the 1st time. It was just my choice to take 2wks off. It really depends on your type of work as well.

People are different and try not to blame yourself for the failures though its true they say stress is not good.

WISHING YOU THE BEST OF LUCK ON YOUR NEXT TRY.

k · Post by k » Wed Aug 03, 2005 7:24 pm

Hi Natalie

I only had 1 day off after ET (and that was only due to still being in pain after EC!) I dont have a particulary stressful job though. Im not sure how much stress affects embryos implanting. I mean, with all the natural conceptions all over the world they can't all be chilled out at implantation surely!
Have you tried acupuncture alongside your IVF? I heard that acupuncture can help to stop the uterus contracting, which as you say this itself can prevent the embryos implanting. I must admit acupuncture did chill me out completely!
I wish you all the best for your future treatments
Take care
Love Kim

Sher8 · Post by **Sher8** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 7:26 pm

My doctor said that you could ride a rollercoaster after the transfer. Now I am not one to test that theory, but I guess he is saying is that it is out of your hands at that point. I went to work the day after my transfer, but I am pretty much behind a desk so it was good for me to be preoccupied.

Best of luck to you!

Alette · Post by **Alette** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 9:07 am

after ET I took the day of ET off.

there was no advise from the hospital, they say it was okay to go back to work but I did not want to take risk.

But the day after ET I went straight to work again.

good luck!

Natalie Anne · Post by **Natalie Anne** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 11:45 am

thanks for your replies ladies.

think i will take more time off next attempt, if only to feel better psychologically.

Natalie

betty · Post by **betty** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 3:19 pm

My clinic's recomendation (orders?) is one and a half days bedrest after ET. I've been lurking on this site for 3-4 weeks and have never seen anyone mention that. I wasn't even supposed to have more than two pillows under my head. I got a +ive blood test result yesterday. I really wouldn't argue that it was because of the bedrest, I think I was very lucky. But he reason for it, they explained, was that the uterus contracts every time you walk. The less contracting the first few days the better. That would also explain the more common recomendation of no orgasams (a hard one for sure.)

sharont · Post by **sharont** » Sat Sep 03, 2005 7:45 pm

I must say that I had a full week off work - my ET was on the Saturday and I felt just rubbish after the HCG injection.

It did me the world of good as I felt in control (totally aware that I wasn't, but... )

Being lazy did mean I wasn't worrying about getting stressed - I know that sounds silly but I've been a bit like that since I got back to work as my job can be stressfull. I have taken to long lunchbreaks and putting the dreaded mobile phone on silent.

Natalie Anne · Post by **Natalie Anne** » Sat Sep 03, 2005 9:09 pm

thanks for all your replies. i have discussed it with my consultant and decided to take at least a week off, maybe 10 days next time. don't know when this will be though as i need an NKC biopsy first.

best of luck to all of you
Natalie
x

debbieed · Post by **debbieed** » Sun Sep 04, 2005 8:18 am

Hello Natalie,
I took a few days on my first tmt (got a -ive result) so on the next one I took the whole 2 weeks off (got a -ive result). On this tmt I also took the whole 2 weeks off and got a +ive result. I do have a stressful job - although it is a desk job and didn'nt want to regret things if it didn't work. I guess everyone is different so you need to wor out what is best for you.

HTH

Love
Debbie

em · Post by em » Wed Oct 05, 2005 10:43 am

Dear Nathalie
Thank you so much for putting this question on the site, reading the replies have been a real insight. I too had the sharp pains in my lower abdomen a week after ET. I can't really better the replies of these lovely (lucky!) ladies, but it has been strongly suggested to me both by my gynacologist and my partner's urologist that stress not only restricts the number of eggs being produced, but can also affect ET. My gynae told me in my review consultation that she was really surprised that it didn't work for me, and i'm afraid said that the endorphines produced as a result of my stress are bad news for implantation.
There are 2 sides to the coin - keeping busy and carrying on a normal life as possible is crucial, your body does not want to think anything strange is happening, or pick up on any alien sensations (this is after all as good as the natural process by the time it reaches implantation stage!) but at the same time, you don't want to tense up every time you walk into the office! I agree with the girls that the first 3 days must be crucial, but are you going to spend the next 11 days sitting around and worrying? Perhaps go back after the first 3 days. Follow what your body is telling you - i was told it was fine to fly (which i did) but for a worrier like me it was no fun - ie the flying was fine but the effects produced because of it were not. I had read no yoga but was desperate to do it which i will next time. Listen and trust your body.
All the luck in the world
em
ME 32 DP 33 (Severe male factor)
1st ICSI (aug 05) - ive

Natalie Anne · Post by **Natalie Anne** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 11:23 am

I just got a BFP!! thanks to all of you who replied to this thread. i decided to take the whole two weeks off work. this is the only thing i did differently and i had a lovely, relaxing time at home. it seems to have done the trick!!

I am so happy and excited and looking forward (nervously) to the 6 wk scan on 3rd Jan.

Natalie
x

LittleP · Post by **LittleP** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 11:51 am

Congratulations - well done to you and DH.

What an extra special Christmas present for you both.

Take care of yourself.

Little P

DeniseM · Post by **DeniseM** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 11:59 am

Awesome news Nat - congrats!

How long did you take off work after ET?

How long did you take off work after ET?

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