Call me crazy but despite how hard it is to travel abroad at the moment, I have committed to a FET in my clinic in Czech Republic around 17th Feb. I'm feeling worried about the whole thing and would love your support on this nerve-wracking journey. The reason for my anxiety is that its a complicated trip to plan that could fall through at many junctures. To start with, my flights aren't guaranteed to fly. (Ryan Air have cancelled on other people who planned to go). I need to have a negative CPR covid test taken no older than 48 hours before I board. (Can't be an NHS one.)I am getting one from Liverpool Airport that takes 3 hours to get results and costs £175, but travelling from Manchester airport. Travelling with my partner. Because we havent got an exact date for FET we have booked two out bound flights as they were cheap and will cancel the one we don't use. This was in case they weren't available or had shot up in price by the time we find out exact date. (will know date after scan on Wednesday in UK to see how endometrium is thickening) . Have to get documents from Czech clinic to say we can can travel on medical grounds, fill out government forms to tell UK and Czech government where we are travelling to and from and which other countries we have been in during transit, and upload (negative) covid results. Can't book the two hotels we need to yet till dates have been firmed up. Once in Czech Republic we have the FET and the clinic offers Covid tests as must take one within 72 hours of arrival in country, and the result is then also needed to board a plane home Again test must be done no longer than 48 hours before flying. And then there is the anxiety of the FET - will it work? Im using one of my frozen PGS tested embryos and thanks to ERA result will take 12 hours more progesterone than last time. This time for progesterone Ive decided to inject Lubion in mornings and cyclogest in eve (last time just used cyclogest) Praying flights aren't cancelled, that covid tests are negative and results come with the 48 hr deadline and flights aren't delayed potentially rendering tests invalid. 6 days of Estrogen is making me feel dizzy, or is that anxiety. When I was last in Czech Republic for harvesting of embryos this forum rescued me from a lonely and anxious time. Hoping you will all be there for me this time as I will be isolating there, and when I get home and trying to continue a very stressful job. I will have to take covid tests on day 2 and 8 of being back in UK as well as trying to cope with 2WW... Thanks for reading such a long post.
FET trip to Czech Republic mid Feb, ... - Fertility Network UK
FET trip to Czech Republic mid Feb, fraught with uncertainty due to pandemic. Feeling anxious and in need of your support please
Stay strong. Hope this works out for you x
O bless u. That is stressful. But bear in mind you are doing everything you can and that's all u can do. Anything else is out of your control. You've got this 💪 xxx
Thank you for your words of encouragement.
Hi Florence,
I remember your previous post from Czech well. You wrote it from your hotel room and your story was so eloquent I felt as though I was reading a beautiful novel.
My goodness you have a lot to think about but you are clearly up to the task, having organised all of that and more, I suspect. Good for you, fighting for your dream.
Lots of luck 🤞🍍 xx
Awww LizzieBW! Yes you were the first person to answer my post when I was last in the Czech Republic. So lovely you have responded again. Im envisaging a very different trip this time, shorter, and more intense if that's possible. I was last there in heat of summer, no lockdown and as a tourist albeit undergoing IVF. We were able to eat out, go on day trips and even though I had insomnia and was on an emotional roller-coaster monitoring the progress of my eggs, there were times we could kick back. We're hoping to stay in the same hotel but this time it will be very cold, I can only leave the hotel for essentials as I will be in quarantine and full lockdown. The market in the square wont be there and we will be using an app to order out food to the hotel room. I will try my best to write eloquently again though haha! Something to focus on perhaps! Thanks again for remembering me. X
Aww, bless you. It really is going to be a totally different kind of trip. When you get there & settle in, try shutting your eyes and imagining the heat from your last visit and the hustle & bustle from the market. My friend taught me the power of the mind as she's a fantastic midwife, doula & hypnobirthing practitioner.
I'm wishing you peace and tranquility for your trip and of course very best of luck for your transfer 😊 xx
Wow!!...as if these fertility journeys weren't stressful enough without all the additional travel plans, COVID tests and isolation thrown it to the mix for you😮! I really wish you the very best my lovely and hope it all goes as smoothly as possible, so you can relax when you finally get to that 2ww for you BFP🙏💕xXx
Thank you Clover5 for your kind wishes. I do feel like the FET is kind of secondary in this trip as its the only thing that someone else is organising, scheduling and taking care of to a degree. The challenge will be getting to the clinic. I haven't even factored in administering cyclogest in transit (had to do it on trains twice on my last trip)
I really hope it goes well hun and your determination is rewarded with a BFP. We'll keep in touch on your journey though to try and keep you sane through your isolation 😊💕xX
This all sounds so stressful but wanted to wish you so much luck. I would pack a pamper pack for your travels with loads of things you like in... Good magazines, tasty treats, download some good films, meditations etc. Might help to keep you busy and ease anxiety during trip. Best of luck Xxx
Thanks for the suggestions Babywaiting. I plan to try and download Netfilx this time as none of the TV was English and so we pretty much watched a rock music channel 24/7! Pamper pack is a good idea. Might treat myself to a Kindle too. These are the things I haven't thought about planning yet and there's going to be LOTS of waiting around and isolating.
I would definitely recommend a kindle. I love mine. It is great if you can't sleep and you can read away without waking your partner. X
Thank you for sharing your in depth plans. I am waiting to hit the go button on making contact with some Czech clinics for DE treatment, the difficulty with logistics and travel during covid times is what’s holding us back. It’s helpful to see what others have planned, I hope your travel goes ok and most of all I hope this FET is a successful one!!
Thank you Shirazlover2013. I wasn't even aware it was possible to travel again to Czech Republic until another member here told me about a private fb page for others using the sane Czech clinic as me who were making the trip despite many restrictions that change often. That page has helped me and my partner with the planning/logistics of the trip a great deal. But the emotional support on Health Unlocked is second to none, hence my post today. PM me if there's anything you think I clould help you with. There's lots of DE people on the Czech clinic page you could connect with too. All the best.
My goodness, no wonder you’re anxious. That is a lot of planning and contingency planning. I admire your determination to keep this journey going inspite of this crazy pandemic. I wish you the best of luck and I sincerely hope that this all works out for you. Sending you all my positive vibes!!! 💓
Thank you Mirielsmom. Yes its the contingency stuff that's necessary but added stress. I would have been able to go to Boots for Covid tests but with a 48hr turnaround for results its cutting it too fine. I hope it all pays off too. X
Ah hope it works out for you ... such a crazy time. I want to go to Prague for a fresh cycle but it’s now looking like March ! Nightmare
Thank you kc21. I hope you get to go in March. We are flying in and out of Prague.
Oh my goodness I feel for you, that is a lot to be dealing with 😘 I know it's hard but try and just take one step at a time, trying to focus on the things in your control, I find that helps me when I'm feeling overwhelmed. If you're not using one already maybe try a mindfulness app. Sending you lots of good luck wishes and positive vibes xxx
Hello PurplePiggie, could you PM me with a mindfulness app if you recommend one please? I have done a tiny bit in the past but would be interested in an app. And yes, dealing with what you can control is something I had forgotten about remarkably. Ive been writing lots of lists which helps too. Your tips are very much appreciated. Thanks x
No problem at all, hope all goes well and you find some respite 😘 I've just pm'd you x
Hey hun, I did the exact same journey back in November when we went to Russia for a fresh transfer (with the added stress of sorting out a medical visa!) ....our flights were cancelled twice (we booked with cheap companies)...if you can I’d suggest booking flights with the Czech Republic airline (if it exists) as those flights are less likely to be cancelled...also, re Covid tests to be done before departure: is there a clinic in your area that can do the tests with guaranteed results rather than doing them at the airport? They may be a bit more expensive (ours were £250 each) but we got results bang on time and was definitely less stressful. We left the U.K. a week before we were due to start tests at the clinic because we were afraid that Boris would announce lockdown...he did 2 days after we left!!!! (And our return flights were immediately cancelled! Eeek!). We booked a hotel with flexible check out date so that we could stay more/less depending on the English lockdown. Once in Russia, we basically self isolated and ate in our room (we had a large room with a small kitchenette) ....our clinic helped us in getting return flights (due to language barrier) and we were lucky we managed to come back after the transfer!!!
We were also working on our laptops....
The journey out was very stressful but once settled in all went well, I was so stressed thinking maybe the clinic will close, Covid cases were on the rise there too....but it didn’t.
And....it worked 😃❤️🍀🤞🏻
I totally know how you feel....rooting for you! You can do this!!!!!!
Good luck 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻
Wow, toughCOOKIE78 you have really lived up to your name! I cant begin to imagine how you must have felt embarking on that journey. I admire you for seizing your window of opportunity before Borris put the kibosh on it all together.
We couldn't book with Czechs Airlines because they weren't available when we need to go. We are feeling positive that our outwards flight (s) wont be cancelled as we know people are successfully using the same airline for the same destination and the flights are busy which is a good sign of them supplying demand rather than cancelling due to lack of passengers. The airport we plan on having the covid tests is only a 15 minute drive from our house and I havent found any where else that offers CPR in 3 hours. And £175 isn't too bad.
You had such an incredible journey and I am so pleased you overcame in the face of adversity. Hopefully I can be as successful as you...(Hopefully I won't be posting a desperate message on here in a couple of weeks time when I am holed up in a hotel in Czech Republic pulling my hair out!) Im determined to try and stay calm though.
So pleased your clinic treated you so well, helped you get home, and that ultimately they delivered on the goal of getting you pregnant. Congratulations. Thanks again for sharing and making suggestions. I hope you will follow my intrepid journey. X
Thanks hun, keeping my fingers crossed for you and of course will be following your journey, waiting for your good news! 🤞🏻🤩🍀❤️Xx
Hi there,We did the same trip too in January and I'm now 7 weeks pregnant!!
We went to Russia and our clinic was amazing.
It was a nail biting time, especially with flight cancellations beforehand and delays at the airport due to visa checks, we also had three flight transfers all with different checks.
The airline also lost our luggage but we stayed in the hotel for most of the trip anyway.
Once we were in Russia everything was fine (but very cold) and we enjoyed our stay there.
It was however very difficult trying to stay calm and not to stress, but it's also important not to let your stress levels get too high. We did everything we could do to prepare so we just kept everything crossed that it would all come together.
We had a medical visa so there were lots of checks on our paperwork, such as letter from the clinic & insurance docs, PCR test, so as long as you have all of the right documentation prepared beforehand it may speed things up a bit.
Fortunately all went well, but it was certainly an adventure full of highs and lows, but very worthwhile!!
Best of luck, have everything crossed for you!!
Winsty1, thanks so much for sharing your account. You certainly faced some challenges there but triumphed. Im so glad you managed to get through it and were rewaded massively for your efforts. Congratulations on your pregnancy. You have given me hope. X
We went to Czech in the summer for treatment. Thankfully, things had died down a bit then.I do really feel for everyone trying to make arrangements just now. There is so much uncertainty.
Regards the PCR test, I did see in another group that the Czech government changed it back to within 72 hours of arrival but I would double check. It's always changing.
Good luck!
Hi ChloeDE, yes there is some confusion as to whether its 48 or 72 hours on the forum (it was you that alerted me to the fb forum for my Czech Clinic and made this trip seem possible for me. Its helped a lot with logistics. Im so glad you told me about it. ) I too was in Czech Republic in summer and yes they were coping with Covid then) Thanks so much for your support, you have made such a difference. I hope things are going well for you on your IVF journey. X
Wishing you all the luck. I hope it all goes smoothly. X
Snap!! Am in exact same position... Except am flying from dublin and there's no directs flights to Prague anymore!! Have to stop over in Amsterdam.. Which raises the anxiety levels a bit more adding an extra airport and more people into the mix.... But... I travelled over last November as well (resulted in chemical so here I go again this Mt again)- travel wise, I have to admit Everything went pretty straight forward... My flights were extremely early... Left both Dublin and Prague b4 6am..so the numbers in airports werent too bad. I was officially the only person staying in hotel.. Just me and the security guard! I felt like a diva haha.. Was bored silly as hotel only one 1 English speaking channel!so take a book!! ... Prague had a curfew in place in Nov and possibly still in place and I happened to be there on a bank holiday so even more was closed than just covid closures .. So ur kinda forced to bed early! Which isn't a bad thing given all that's on ur mind.. I got hotel to book me taxis straight from airport to hotel and then to clinic so had very very limited contact with people other than who sat 2 seats over on plane.
Taxis are cheep in Prague so if ur can get hotel to sort this then it mayb worth spending few extra euro!!
Ur so lucky ur partner can travel with you.. I was on my own last time and this time again as we can't both be off work for the 2wks self isolation needed on return.
Am hoping to be back over on 21st just waiting on my scan now next Monday to get booking...both my clinic and hotel say there's been no cancellation in last few wks so it's a positive sign flights still go on time. At least in UK u have more chance getting last min flight if they are cancelled... Very limited here.
All the best with everything.. Please message if u need any more info!
🤪
AnnieMac123, thanks so much for your detailed response. Its great to make contact with someone in the same boat as me. I've just seen your reply as Im about to go to bed so I will PM you tomorrow evening as I would like to compare notes, and I really feel for you travelling alone. Im lucky me and my partner can work from home. I would be so daunted embarking on this complex trip on my own. But you will be propelled forward by your desire to have a baby and you'll be strong... Bye for now x
Awh lovely, take a deep breath. It seems you are as planned and organised as you can be. Yes, there are some things out of your control which is very frustrating and doesn't help the anxiety. Focus on those things that you can control.
I went abroad for our FET in July just as flights were opening up. I could only get one direct flight and it cost a fortune! We had to do paperwork 48 hrs before departure for the country we were travelling too. We got Covid tested on arrival at the airport by the authorities and again by our clinic. Everything went well and despite the high anxiety levels about whether our flight would actually depart and whether we'd test positive for Covid abroad, everything worked out and i'm 31 weeks pregnant, and waiting patiently for our miracle baby to arrive.
Try and make time for some relaxation in amongst the craziness, take some nice baths, listen to some positive affirmations, do some meditations/mindfulness, dance to some upbeat music, whatever will keep your stress levels low. I wish you every success in your travels and with the transfer. Stay positive and remember to breathe!
🙃
Thank you so much for your kind reply. You are the 3rd or 4th person who has shared a difficult IVF trip during the pandemic that's resulted in pregnancy. Great news!!!!
I am also picking up lots of self care tips and now realise I really need to focus on me but its so nice to have been reminded by people here. It's so easy to get carried along by a current of anxiety and stress. I will take a step back and put myself first. Thank you x
So excited for you!! I am so impressed that you’re getting out to Czechia and going for treatment, sending you lots of hugs and positivity. You sound as though you have everything planned, my only advice would be (and I don’t mean to patronise) stay calm and enjoy the experience. Take books/iPad etc to keep you occupied whilst out there. I really hope it works for you xx
Thanks a lot for your reply. I wish I could be excited. Maybe it will happen at some point if the trip goes smoothly under the circumstances. And no you weren't patronising at all - I welcome your advice. I think the next thing to plan is entertament/relaxation materials. X
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