AF feeling between EC and transfer

[Staying_positive38]

Hi everyone,

I had my EC Friday which was a roller coaster of emotion. We were told a few days earlier that we had 5 follicles but that 2 could be cysts so I was only expecting 3 eggs, if that. We had wonderful news that they’d collected 7 eggs and 6 were good!

But then in the same sentence they told us that my partner’s sample from that day contained no living sperm. What a shock. I was in tears - I thought I’d spent the last 12 days worrying about doing the injections and stressing about getting eggs- I didn’t dream the sperm would be an issue.

We then had a 2 hour wait in a tiny room to find out if a frozen sample of his would survive thawing - thankfully it did 🤗 Talk about stressful!

Anyway we’re now waiting to hear if they’ll transfer embryo/s tomorrow or Wednesday. I’m taking the pessaries now and as well as experiencing constipation I’ve got proper AF symptoms- cramps, dead legs etc. Is this normal?? If I had the embryos already I’d be convinced I was losing them but seeing as I haven’t I can’t work out why I’m feeling like this. Any thoughts are appreciated xx

[Kitcat12]

I’m with you! I have had lots of bloating, cramps and sore boobs since EC. I think it’s the progesterone which mimics AF symptoms. Best of luck with your transfer x

[Tugsgirl in reply to Kitcat12]

I agree with this. The progesterone can cause cramping and constipation unfortunately xx

[MissSaoPaulo]

Wow, that sounds stressful!!

I ended up getting my period just 5 days after egg retrieval, which would have been transfer day.

Doc had already told us we would probably be doing a freeze all cycle because of hyper stimulated ovaries - don't know if that had anything to do with the period coming so early...

We got 5 blastocysts to freeze and transferred 2 last week. The extra wait us harder but FET is easier on your body and gives you a chance to recover after EC so there is a bright side if that's what happens

[Staying_positive38]

Oh wow I didn’t know it was possible to get a period after EC .. I may be stupid but I thought if all eggs were collected there was no egg to lose in a period?

Anyway I’m glad you were able to have a transfer and 5 at blastocyst is amazing. Loads of luck to you.

In the meantime I guess I’ll monitor my symptoms and tell my hospital if they get worse xx

[MissSaoPaulo in reply to Staying_positive38]

Doc told me it could be a bit earlier or later because of all the hormones but I didn't expect it on day 18!!

The more I think about it, I'm sure I'm worrying you needlessly because I was taking loads of stuff to calm the ovaries down and as we weren't doing a fresh transfer I wasn't on progesterone which would have maintained the lining and that's probably why that happened to me.

Anyway, let us know what happens and I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for your little embryos!!

[SBeanbag]

I too had EC on Friday and have exactly the same symptoms- just keep going with the progesterone. Are you on pessaries or injections- if you get any sign of spotting or bleeding the you should let your clinic know as they might want to up the dose.

We had 10 eggs collected- 7 possibly 8 fertilised. Like you expecting a call tomorrow am to decide on transfer. Good luck to you xx

[Staying_positive38 in reply to SBeanbag]

I’m on pessaries. I went for a walk which seems to have helped with the cramps.

No spotting thank goodness. I think maybe it is a side effect of progesterone.

Oh good luck to you too. Let’s hope we both get good news tomorrow xx

[Bexta6060]

I agree with the others, the progesterone will give you symptoms like af is coming, also cruelly the symptoms are a lot like early pregnancy symptoms. Ive not heard of using progesterone before transfer though? Is that normal? Now im wondering if i should....another question for my clinic i think!

[Staying_positive38 in reply to Bexta6060]

I had to start taking it the very evening of EC day. Maybe every clinic is different? Also, my lining wasn’t very thick so maybe I had to then earlier to thicken it up.