Good evening,
Hope everyone is doing okay in these difficult times. Did anyone have local anaesthetic for their embryo transfer? We had a failed transfer last month and it was horrifically painful and I bled a lot during the process so they have suggested a local for the second time round - whenever this may be. However, I’ve not found any information online about it..
I had three transfer attempt, all without anaesthetic. For me, it was not as bad as the smear test. Did you go with full bladder?
Ah that’s not a nice experience. I’ve only had one transfer and it was also a bit painful (they had to use the hard catheter as the soft one wouldn’t go through). I had acupuncture before to calm me and to relax the muscles etc and I think it helped. I also listened to the mindful IVF app which was relaxing. Didn’t have any anaesthetic though but I think they can give you a mild sedation? Xx
They used a normal size one firstly then had to change to a smaller one because I was bleeding and in agony but still didn’t offer sedation. My dr said he didn’t recommend it but could offer an anaesthetic. But there’s been so little info about it!
I've had 5 transfers and each time I've been sedated this is due to the pain caused by a weird angle to my cervix so they said it would relax me more, make me less anxious and make it easier for them without me tensing up. I would recommend it especially if it's painful.
Thank you for this! Glad it’s not just me 🙈
Honestly sedation was a life changer as I felt emotionally terrified after having a highcosy and the thought of them doing that each time sent me into panic mode. It just meant the procedure was a little longer than normal as you need recovery time so block out a few hours but apart from feeling rather sleepy after there was no pain 😊 would do it every time.
And is it okay that you can’t have a full bladder?
I had to have a semi full bladder and they won't let you go home until you've been but I guess it depends on your clinic, I'm based in the South
Hey, I've had 3 transfers. The 1st one I found unbearably painful. I discovered it was due to a scared cervix from a colposcopy from a bad smear 10 years earlier. (I also had my tubes checked a year earlier plus the cervix scratch just before - both were unbearably painful). People who I spoke to said they felt hardly anything, I thought there must be something wrong with me as I cried the whole way through. So for the 2nd and 3rd transfer I had sedation. They didnt like doing it however I didn't feel I could do anything else so went for it. Both cycles failed however the procedure was by far better and they could place the embryos where they wanted comfortably without me wincing in pain. Hope this helps xx
Yeah it was unbearable and like you, everyone I’ve ever spoken to had said it had been completely painless - just uncomfortable 
I asked regarding sedation and they said they don’t recommend it but can do a local anaesthetic? But I just can’t find any info about it at all.
Are you paying private or NHS? We were private through care and they do give it as an option which costs about £250 but dont necessarily recommend it xx
Privately. My nurse said it would be an option but when we discussed it with the doctor he basically said no. It’s £300 at our clinic which I would be happy to be but doesn’t seem an option I just feel so scared to even try again because of the amount of pain I was in but really feel there’s no alternative x
I'm so sorry to hear this, is there a reason the doctor said no? If they offer it I'm unsure why you have been declined? There is a risk of infection so you have to sign to say you are happy with the risk etc. For me, I couldn't face a round without it as I was so scared so I completely understand x
Didn’t give a reason just said he didn’t see it necessary so as such wouldn’t recommend it :/ yeah I’m terrified of round 2 after the pain. I’m also worried that’s a factor that contributed to it not work because I was so stressed by it and the pain it can’t of been good for the embryo.
I think that is the reason it didnt work for me on round 1 also as it was the best embryo out of 3 rounds but didnt work and when they reviewed the scan pics of the embryo being transferred, they said you should see a flash. You did on rounds 2 and 3 but didnt on round 1 and she said it was possibly because I was in pain and wasnt relaxed! It seriously caused me anxiety that I couldn't do it again, even though they advise against it they seemed to understand my anxiety and let me book on for sedation (although the 3rd round the guy doing my transfer basically made me feel so stupid because I was having sedation... that made me angry) xx1
It’s so hard because where some people just breeze through it they seem to think that means it should be like that for everyone? Which isn’t true because everyone is so different. And I’ve never experienced as much pain in my life as I did that day. And the pain continues days afterwards as well. They kept saying just relax and I said I’m trying as hard as I can but I’m in agony! My partner was also crying as she could tell how much pain I was in! Whereas I’ve had friends do IVF through the NHS that never even had an option to do it non- sedated. And they couldn’t understand why on earth I was awake for it haha xx
Good grief it sounds like you've had a horrific time. I've had a transfer under general anesthesia not local however I have had a local when i had treatment for abnormal cells and it wasnt pleasant. Would they consider doing a cervical dilatation under GA perhaps a month before your next transfer? I had that done when I had hysteroscopy. I am also now am given buscopan to try to relax my muscles prior to transfer.xx
Was the local a needle or cream? Yeah I don’t really know where to turn
The local I had was a needle. I would try to avoid any trauma to the cervix personally. Ask about having your cervix stretch under GA.xx
The buscopan is a needle into your bum to relax the smooth muscles.xx
My only other suggestion is, would they be willing to let you try a mock transfer using a local or a relaxant to see if it is easier to pass the catheter?xx
Yeah we have a meeting on 6/6 - covid dependant so will bring these options up. Thank you so much for your support. I was so concerned I was the only one who found it painful/ unbearably uncomfortable so am glad I’m not alone xx
Wow you poor things...i was lucky to have a straight forward transfer...I never like smear tests or when they use the speculum to open it all up...but I have to say full bladder is a life changer was less painful. Ive had bad smears..some of the nurses are terrible! Transfer with Dr Tan at Lister was very easy...best one of the four. My first one at woman's fertility clinic was awful i was being sick not able to keep water down and they kept telling me to drink....thinking back defy was OHSS. Good luck with yours xxx
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