Walk me through the FET procedure

[Anonymous]

Mine is scheduled for next week and I'm wondering what to expect during the transfer. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Have you had an IUI? At SG, its the exact same thing except do an "over-the-tummy" ultrasound (hence having to drink the bottle of water beforehand). You can watch the transfer on the ultrasound monitor.

But...didn't you do a mock transfer before starting your IVF meds?

[Anonymous]

NP here. I was at SG and wasn't required to do a mock transfer, supposedly because I'd had so many IUIs (5 total) within the previous year.
OP, the PP is right. If you've had an IUI, it is nearly the same experience, with the exception of the abdominal ultrasound that they use to guide placement of the catheter before transferring the embryo. My husband and I were able to watch the transfer via the ultrasound, which I thought was special. Afterwards, I think I was required to lay down for 5-10 minutes before leaving. I was given no instructions for bed rest or couch rest, and I returned to work and continued on with my day.
I apparently have something of a tricky cervix that several of the SG RE's had trouble navigating during my HSG and IUIs, but the embryo transfer was really easy.

[Anonymous]

FYI, the last time I went in for transfer (November) they had done away with the five minute timer. I did it anyway.

Agree with the PPs that it's a an easy process and it's nice to watch the monitor.

[Anonymous]

Make sure you time drinking the water. I found that the recommendation to do it one hour before was excessive. And by the time the procedure started I was in pain. So for me, when I check in 30 mins before, I ask them if they are running behind. If not, then I chug a 16 oz bottle. That was enough time for my bladder to be full, but not painful.

[Anonymous]

OP here - I'm at GW and there's been no mock transfer. I've never had an iui either.

Should I expect any pain? Should I take a Xanax or some weed beforehand?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - I'm at GW and there's been no mock transfer. I've never had an iui either.

Should I expect any pain? Should I take a Xanax or some weed beforehand?

It feels like a pap smear, but takes a little longer. Not painful, just a little uncomfortable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Make sure you time drinking the water. I found that the recommendation to do it one hour before was excessive. And by the time the procedure started I was in pain. So for me, when I check in 30 mins before, I ask them if they are running behind. If not, then I chug a 16 oz bottle. That was enough time for my bladder to be full, but not painful.

Good advice! I experienced the same thing!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Make sure you time drinking the water. I found that the recommendation to do it one hour before was excessive. And by the time the procedure started I was in pain. So for me, when I check in 30 mins before, I ask them if they are running behind. If not, then I chug a 16 oz bottle. That was enough time for my bladder to be full, but not painful.

Good advice! I experienced the same thing!

Mmm, I held off on commenting on this earlier, but since multiple people are saying the same thing--

They give you directions for a reason. I did this for my second transfer, but only because they were running 40 minutes behind for my first transfer--I was suffering. The next time, they were on time. The second time, my bladder felt uncomfortably full, and I thought I was good to go. They had a hell of a time getting the catheter in and positioned correctly, and spent a lot of time poking around down there (way more than my first transfer). Then, all of a sudden, the Dr. said, "There we go. I guess your bladder had to finish filling." They could see that it filled a bit more on the ultrasound. So, if you don't want to chance them having to poke around down there for an extra 20 minutes, drink when they tell you to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Make sure you time drinking the water. I found that the recommendation to do it one hour before was excessive. And by the time the procedure started I was in pain. So for me, when I check in 30 mins before, I ask them if they are running behind. If not, then I chug a 16 oz bottle. That was enough time for my bladder to be full, but not painful.

Good advice! I experienced the same thing!

Mmm, I held off on commenting on this earlier, but since multiple people are saying the same thing--

They give you directions for a reason. I did this for my second transfer, but only because they were running 40 minutes behind for my first transfer--I was suffering. The next time, they were on time. The second time, my bladder felt uncomfortably full, and I thought I was good to go. They had a hell of a time getting the catheter in and positioned correctly, and spent a lot of time poking around down there (way more than my first transfer). Then, all of a sudden, the Dr. said, "There we go. I guess your bladder had to finish filling." They could see that it filled a bit more on the ultrasound. So, if you don't want to chance them having to poke around down there for an extra 20 minutes, drink when they tell you to.

Extra 20 min? Really???

I'd still say wait until check in to top off.

[Anonymous]

I'm afraid that when I pee - probably with gusto - immediately after the transfer, the embryo will slip out. I realize that's irrational and stupid, but that's my fear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Make sure you time drinking the water. I found that the recommendation to do it one hour before was excessive. And by the time the procedure started I was in pain. So for me, when I check in 30 mins before, I ask them if they are running behind. If not, then I chug a 16 oz bottle. That was enough time for my bladder to be full, but not painful.

Good advice! I experienced the same thing!

Mmm, I held off on commenting on this earlier, but since multiple people are saying the same thing--

They give you directions for a reason. I did this for my second transfer, but only because they were running 40 minutes behind for my first transfer--I was suffering. The next time, they were on time. The second time, my bladder felt uncomfortably full, and I thought I was good to go. They had a hell of a time getting the catheter in and positioned correctly, and spent a lot of time poking around down there (way more than my first transfer). Then, all of a sudden, the Dr. said, "There we go. I guess your bladder had to finish filling." They could see that it filled a bit more on the ultrasound. So, if you don't want to chance them having to poke around down there for an extra 20 minutes, drink when they tell you to.

Extra 20 min? Really???

I'd still say wait until check in to top off.

Clearly you have not been poked and prodded with a catheter (still in the stylet) for 20 minutes straight. Or even 10.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm afraid that when I pee - probably with gusto - immediately after the transfer, the embryo will slip out. I realize that's irrational and stupid, but that's my fear.

LOL
Just remember that the embryo is like a grain of rice in a peanut butter sandwich. it's nice a snug in there and won't 'fall out'

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Make sure you time drinking the water. I found that the recommendation to do it one hour before was excessive. And by the time the procedure started I was in pain. So for me, when I check in 30 mins before, I ask them if they are running behind. If not, then I chug a 16 oz bottle. That was enough time for my bladder to be full, but not painful.

Good advice! I experienced the same thing!

Mmm, I held off on commenting on this earlier, but since multiple people are saying the same thing--

They give you directions for a reason. I did this for my second transfer, but only because they were running 40 minutes behind for my first transfer--I was suffering. The next time, they were on time. The second time, my bladder felt uncomfortably full, and I thought I was good to go. They had a hell of a time getting the catheter in and positioned correctly, and spent a lot of time poking around down there (way more than my first transfer). Then, all of a sudden, the Dr. said, "There we go. I guess your bladder had to finish filling." They could see that it filled a bit more on the ultrasound. So, if you don't want to chance them having to poke around down there for an extra 20 minutes, drink when they tell you to.

Extra 20 min? Really???

I'd still say wait until check in to top off.

Clearly you have not been poked and prodded with a catheter (still in the stylet) for 20 minutes straight. Or even 10.

Did they do a mock transfer?

If you are worried about that, I would do a trial run at home. Drink 16oz and time how long it takes for you to fell like you have to pee, when you feel uncomfortable and when you are in pain. At a minimum, you want to be on the table 30 mins before you are in pain. And it takes 20-30 for them to get you on the table and set up. So just figure out how much time you need to drink ahead of time to have enough in your bladder, but not so much you are in pain.

[Anonymous]

^^Or you could just follow their directions. Now I wonder if this is the reason they were running late, and if so, that's just rude.