How did you feel evening of retrieval?

[Anonymous]

Question for those who've been there:

I"m doing IVF and my retrieval is set for Saturday morning. My company's summer party (attending an outdoor ticketed sporting event) is that evening.

The evening of your retrieval, were you feeling well enough to do something like this (socializing, walking around, etc)?

My preference would be to attend, but I don't want to push it. I want to decide before the weekend if I'm not going so that I can let someone at work have the extra tickets. In terms of weather, that evening looks to be in the 80s with some sun (I'm not in DC).

Thanks for any advice.

[Anonymous]

I should have added: I will be under anesthesia for the retrieval. Not sure if that’s a given.

-OP

[Anonymous]

I’ve had 4 retrievals and they have varied. I would plan to take it easy that day.

[Anonymous]

You’ll be fine by the evening. As luck would have it, I had out of town relatives over for dinner the night of retrieval. Other than the big bruise on my hand, no one was the wiser—and I’m a big wuss with needles and medical stuff. Just take a nap after retrieval.

[Anonymous]

I had zero pain but still felt the side effects of the stimulation (general bloating and swollen breasts). It's a nerve racking time, because over the following days you will be waiting to hear from your RE how many eggs were mature, fertilized etc. so unless you want or must attend the party, I would take it easy.

[Anonymous]

I was bloated (22 eggs retrieved), but in no pain. We stopped off for an early dinner and short trip to the grocery store on our way home from retrieval (mine was in the afternoon), and I don't remember feeling too uncomfortable. But, everyone is different, and experiences with retrievals can vary widely. I'd plan on playing it by ear that day. If you feel up to it, go.
I was under "twilight sedation" - IV sedation, no intubation - which I assume is standard for most of the clinics in this area.

[Anonymous]

It's really going to depend on the bloat. My first IVF, I had an HCG trigger and felt like crap that day and looked 4 months pregnant. Second IVF, they had me do a lupron trigger and I felt just fine, even though I had more follicles the second time around. Both times, I had less than 15 eggs so nothing compared to what PCOS ladies must go through.

[Anonymous]

I didn’t feel bad at all. Just be prepared to possibly be doing your trigger shot wherever your going. It needs to get done on time.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the input everyone!

-OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I didn’t feel bad at all. Just be prepared to possibly be doing your trigger shot wherever your going. It needs to get done on time.

I’m doing the trigger shot tonight - am just trying to decide about going to this company party Saturday evening after having a retrieval that morning.

-OP

[Anonymous]

I felt like I’d been in a car accident. It was the worst day of my whole cycle and pregnancy. I forget my hormone levels, but I had 22 eggs retrieved and was dangerously close to OHSS. I felt like they pushed me too far and I wished I’d had my retrieval a smidge earlier with less eggs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I felt like I’d been in a car accident. It was the worst day of my whole cycle and pregnancy. I forget my hormone levels, but I had 22 eggs retrieved and was dangerously close to OHSS. I felt like they pushed me too far and I wished I’d had my retrieval a smidge earlier with less eggs.

I’m different from the other 22 egg person above. I did an HCG trigger and was very bloated for 2-3 days. I had to wear knit dresses and leggings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I felt like I’d been in a car accident. It was the worst day of my whole cycle and pregnancy. I forget my hormone levels, but I had 22 eggs retrieved and was dangerously close to OHSS. I felt like they pushed me too far and I wished I’d had my retrieval a smidge earlier with less eggs.

Wow! That sounds so uncomfortable. Glad to hear it worked out though!
I had 17 at my ultrasound this morning so hoping for the best on Saturday. Definitely am feeling bloated.

-OP

[Anonymous]

I had one cycle that resulted in OHSS so I felt terrible that night. I had four other cycles where I immediately went out to lunch, walked around the mall, and felt totally fine.

[Anonymous]

I felt fine after, but I only got 4-6 eggs each time.