Can I travel to France same afternoon as egg retrieval?

[Fingerscrossed38]

I have egg retrieval on Thursday morning. My Dr knows I've got a holiday in France booked (Eurostar to Lille and road trip for 4 days) for that evening and hasn't said I can't go.

My acupuncturist is fervently opposed to be going away and days it's too dangerous due to risk of OHSS based on my e2 numbers!

My day 10 (9 on stims) e2 bloods yesterday were 6388 (25 follicles) and I'm not having anymore tests/scans before my retrieval on Thursday morning (day 13)...the Dr says he's not worried about me having OHSS as my numbers aren't gong to reach 15,000 which is when he'd be concerned! Bout sure how he'll know that without testing me.

Those of you that have had similar numbers to me did you suffer OHSS?

Anyone who's had egg retrieval would you t have travelled the day of retrieval?

Do they take bloods on day of retrieval? How do they know OHSS will occur? Is it just a waiting game?

[SConnor]

I didn’t have OHSS but felt pretty bad for a whole week after egg collection, staying in bed with a hot water bottle and paracetamol. I would advise to stay close to your clinic/hospital in case you need assistance like with OHSS. Sorry I can’t be positive about the trip but this is only based on my experience in case it helps! A trip though will be amazing later in your 2ww to keep your mind on something else!

[Fingerscrossed38 in reply to SConnor]

Argh such bad timing. I'm still hoping I'll be lucky and not have the symptoms nearly everyone else is experiencing post retrieval! Best of luck with your recovery xx

[MissN]

I had my egg collection yesterday with 25 collected. No blood was taken for ohss (that I know of) but I was warned that it could still occur even though I wasn’t classed as “high risk”.

In all honesty, I’m still in quite a bit of pain. I spent most of yesterday in bed with nasty cramps, shooting and stabbing pains when I moved and sickness at night. Today, I feel a bit better but still uncomfortable to move around.

Everyone is different though. I have heard of people going straight back to work. So it can be done xx

[Fingerscrossed38 in reply to MissN]

Gosh well done on having 25 eggs retrieved. Do you remember what your last e2 level was?

Sorry to hear you have been suffering, it sounds horrible!

Did the Dr tell you to eat or drink anything after the retrieval? How do you know you have OHSS? How do I know t if I have it? Did you go to hospital?

[MissSaoPaulo]

I would love to give you a positive response here, it sounds like a lovely plan - but even if you avoid OHSS (fingers crossed) you will probably feel wiped out from the sedative/anaesthetic and probably not a good idea to be handling luggage etc. either if you have so many follicles, your abdomen will probable be tender for a while until the ovaries calm down. What a shame it's all fallen in the same week

I had over 20 follicles and ended up with mild OHSS - felt really shitty after EC for a couple of days and it took at least a week for the bloating to subside. It would be a shame not to be able to take advantage of all the lovely French food but if you're anything like I was, you just wouldn't be able to fit it in!!

Hope EC goes well and sorry again I can't give a more positive response xxx

[Fingerscrossed38 in reply to MissSaoPaulo]

Hi, sorry you've had a rough time. Do you remember what your e2 level was prior to retrieval? How were you diagnosed?

Is there anything I can take/drink to avoid it from happening after retrieval or if I'm going to get it there is nothing I can do about it?

[MissSaoPaulo in reply to Fingerscrossed38]

Ah, it's all in the past. Did a freeze all cycle and lucky enough to fall pregnant from the first FET so while it wasn't pleasant at the time it was definitely worth it

I didn't know my e2 level, they took it on day 10 when I had my last scan and I was then told by my Dr when I was on the table with my feet in the stirrups 2 days later that it was going to be a freeze all cycle because the ovaries were hyperstimulated.

I don't know if OHSS is preventable, especially this close to EC, but you have to drink loads of water and eat plenty of protein to help ease it if it happens. Hopefully it won't - it's encouraging that your Dr doesn't think it's going to xxx

[everhopeful83]

I had 15 eggs collected on a Monday & had developed mild OHSS by the Saturday. It really is a horrible feeling after egg collection, just as the others have mentioned. Hopefully you will be one of the lucky ones & bounce Back quickly xxx

[Fingerscrossed38 in reply to everhopeful83]

Thanks for replying. Sorry to hear you've developed mild OHSS. What was your e2 level at collection? Did you go to hospital for them to diagnose mild OHSS? It's just so hard to know how you'll know if you have it and when to start worrying...

[everhopeful83 in reply to Fingerscrossed38]

I don’t know what my e2 levels were at that time if I’m honest, but I had gone in to have the transfer on the Saturday & they took one look at me & knew I wasn’t fit for it, I knew it too if I’m honest. Just felt really ill, the bloods confirmed it later that morning and so transfer was cancelled. Personally I couldn’t have gone anywhere, but they tell you not to lye in your bed even if you feel ill, they want you to keep moving around. I can’t remember what reason they gave now, but I was told to keep moving. You’ll know within yourself fairly quickly after egg collection I’d say. I was ill from the minute I came round. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you avoid OHSS and all goes smoothly for you 🤞🏼xxx

[Fingerscrossed38 in reply to everhopeful83]

Gosh sounds horrific. Interesting point about keeping moving! Fingers crossed I'm ok. I feel totally fine this evening I really wonder if everything is even ok for tomorrow morning's collection. Best of luck with everything

[everhopeful83 in reply to Fingerscrossed38]

I’m rooting for you 🤞🏼 keep us updated xxx

[LittlestBob]

I think everyone must be different as I travelled from London to York straight after egg collection. I felt absolutely fine and met up with friends that evening. I didn’t have OHSS. I did take painkillers but didn’t feel any discomfort so they must have done the trick. Hopefully you’ll be the same and can enjoy your holiday.

[Fingerscrossed38 in reply to LittlestBob]

Thanks for replying. Can I ask how many follicles you had at collection and what your e2 level was? Great to hear you were able to fly straight away!

[LittlestBob in reply to Fingerscrossed38]

I was never told how many follicles. 10 eggs collected though. I was never told e2 level either - my clinic doesn’t seem to tell me much and I never know what to ask! Good luck xx

[Fingerscrossed38 in reply to LittlestBob]

10 eggs! That's great! Xx

[CardiBaby]

After retrieval I was in pain and a little tired but I’m a contract worker and had work booked so went in the next day. My Es was 20,000. They where worried about OHSS but after a few days I felt back to normal and even had embryos put back 5 Day she later. I honestly think taking the eggs out is the best medicine for any symptoms! Just go to France and do as much as you can x

[Fingerscrossed38 in reply to CardiBaby]

Thanks for that! I have decided I'm going. They have hospitals in France! Hope the FET worked xx

[CardiBaby in reply to Fingerscrossed38]

Do it!!!! Last cycle I did nothing but lie down and got a morula and no blastocyst and a BFN! This cycle I had to work, only time off was egg retrieval day and 2 days after embryo transfer- and I got a BFP! Though I’m sadly bleeding now at 6 weeks, so may not be pregnant anymore. But point is it made no difference and I was less miserable and less stressed as I kept busy this time! Have fun xxx

[Fingerscrossed38 in reply to CardiBaby]

Yes, they say keep moving as it encourages blood circulation.

I've heard it's more common to bleed in ivf pregnancies so don't lose hope. Can you go and pay for a private scan/blood to know for sure? I really hope it works out door you!

[CardiBaby]

I had 14 eggs retrieved

[LKT1]

I didn’t have OHSS but I was bed ridden for at least 3 days after from the pain and then very limited movement & uncomfortable for further 2 days. I would just say the meds the hospital gave me on the day lulled me to a false sense of comfort. After they wore off I felt in so much pain which over counter meds wouldn’t touch.

It’s hard to know what to do as I can really understand not wanting to miss your holiday. travelling there will prob be the worst bit as you will be limited how you sit/lay down.

Have you got an EU health card? May be worth keeping it close to hand just in case so you don’t have to pay big fees in hospital in case you have an issue...hopefully not though! If you don’t have one I think you request it via nhs website but I don’t know how long they take to arrive.

Good luck and wish you speedy recovery whatever you decide to do x

[Fingerscrossed38 in reply to LKT1]

Hi, sorry to great your experience post retrieval was so rough.

Yes, I've got my European health card and will definitely take it!

I don't know why they can't give us stronger pain medication for the days after retrieval?! No point being in unnecessary pain surely

[LKT1 in reply to Fingerscrossed38]

I agree! Just say yes to all of the drugs to help get you through that travel. Take hot water bottle and drink lots of water x

[Fingerscrossed38 in reply to LKT1]

Were you sedated or general? UK based?

[LKT1 in reply to Fingerscrossed38]

Yes uk based. I was under general which was nice as I just went to sleep 😴. Although I know someone in same county but different clinic who was just sedated so I guess different clinics have different preferences x

[Hidden]

Just to echo the above. I didn't get OHSS but I did have really bad pain and vomited a few times the evening of my first egg collection. Second one wasn't so bad evening though I had more eggs collection but was quite tired from the sedation.

[WhatAwait]

I think it's so different from person to person how they feel after EC. I felt absolutely fine afterwards (had 16 egss collected) and actually didn't feel a thing. I was advised to not even go on a bus home (which I did anyway...couldn't see why a taxi down the road should be any different). I would have been fit to travel, but I don't think I would have booked anything beforehand without knowing how I would feel. Good luck with it all and fingers crossed everything will be fine.

[Fingerscrossed38 in reply to WhatAwait]

Thanks for replying. I had my egg retrieval this morning (20 collected) and am currently on the train to France! Feel absolutely fine, a tad tender to walk but nothing else. Fingers crossed it continues like this!

[WhatAwait in reply to Fingerscrossed38]

Aw that's lovely! Just take it easy and enjoy it. Wishing you all the best!