When is full flow? About to start stims.

[JPxx]

Hello,

I have had one egg collection, produced 5 eggs (which my doc was surprised with as my AMH is 9.4, not bad for 34) which made 2 blasts and just had my second failed cycle. I am about to start my second egg collection. The nurse has said make sure you are in "full flow" because you count it as Day 1, as I take my first injection on day 2. I was not told this in my first egg collection.

I am concerned that I did not allow for 'full flow' and that could have resulted in less follicles first time round and so just want to make sure I get it right this time. Clinic is now closed for the weekend.

I started my period today at lunch time. Is that now full flow?

When is full flow? I do not feel I ever get a full flow, as only really fill half a tampon before I change it. If anyone can help, don't worry about being graphic, I would be very grateful!

Maybe I am trying to be too precise and it might not make too much of a different as we are male factor issues.

Thank you in advance!! xxx

[Millbanks]

Hello lovely, full flow is considered your first day of red bleeding, it doesn’t matter how much... Not brown spotting that you often get before. So if that started today it would likely be day 1 today xx

[JPxx in reply to Millbanks]

Thank you! yes it is red so day 1 is today. I dont really get spotting. Very helpful.

[jinis]

If you are able to use sanitary towels, it's much easier to tell apart full flow from spotting - it is continuous bleeding. The colour should also be deep/dark red.

If the tampon is being filled and changed regularly then I think it's safe to assume that you have a full flow.

To be honest I prefer using tampons, but my clinic doesn't recommend the use of tampon during stimulation anyway, as it increases the risk of infection.

Later in the cycle, depending on the growth of follicles and other factors like your oestrogen level etc. they can always to decide to stimulate a day or two longer also.

I hope this helps! x

[JPxx in reply to jinis]

Thank you!! does it matter at what time of day the full flow starts? The nurse said something about it needs to be before 12pm, or it is not classed as Day 1? I am at the Lister and I do get different bits of information from different nurses.

[jinis in reply to JPxx]

No worries lovely

Here's what my clinic says:

If the full flow starts before 12pm, that day is your day 1

If the full flow starts later than 12pm, next day is your day 1

So depending on the time of day the full flow starts, you start with stimulation on a different day (from day 2).

This is for a mild IVF with a short protocol (no down regulation).

If you're in doubt - has your clinic given you an out-of-hour emergency phone number you can call up? Always best to check with your clinic! x

[Chiefy]

With my clinic it was your first full day of full flow. If you started at lunchtime today then it would be tomorrow that you start stims. It was in my case anyway x

[DanABC20]

My clinic said if full flow was after lunch the next day was day one and we started stims on day 2. It’s so tricky isn’t it. I was given an out of hours number to ring to clarify first injection but I started Friday 3pm so they said Saturday day 1 Sunday first injection. Every clinic is different though xx

[BBHH1]

My understanding is full flow is bright blood and not only spotting, brownish stuff.

Don’t blame yourself. I doubt that starting meds 1 day before would screw up a cycle. Just work with them to find out reasons for failure and a protocol that works for you! Best

[Minnie92]

Hi JPxx, sorry to hear about your failed transfer ☹️ Our clinic counts day 1 as the first day you wake up bleeding so if you started bleeding at lunchtime it would be the day after if that makes sense, but all clinics are different! Good luck xx

[noviagrace]

I was told by my specialist if your flow starts in the morning that’s day 1 anything after lunch will be day 1 the next day Hope that’s not confusing xx

[Hidden]

My clinic always told me like the others - red blood but if after 12 the next day is day 1

It actually doesn’t medically matter if you started a little bit early (say a day) because it’s more about your lining being completely gone rather than your eggs so I don’t think it will have impacted anything. I started a day and a half too early once and it didn’t make a difference x

[Emma672]

My clinic says day 1 is the first day of fresh red blood, no matter what the time is. If I started at lunchtime it would be day 1, if I started at 2am it would still be day 1 etc x