Infertility Support Group

In vitro fertilization is one of the most common and utilized ways of treating conception problems. This support group is dedicated to those beginning their journey with IVF and needing support. Join the community and share your experiences, advice, and story with people going through similar challenges starting a family.

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thewaitinggame 11/02/2014

Since you ladies have been so good at taking me through this process, step by step, could someone please tell me what they really mean when they tell you to come for the ET with a "full bladder." Full? Really? I get that they need to be able to access your uterus and the bladder helps move it into an ideal position, but... Full?

That seems both painful and stressful. I get all frantic when I'm stuck in the car with a full bladder. Won't it be uncomfortable to have a catheter stuck in me at that point in time? And then they put you on a table with your feet elevated above your head for an additional 1/2 hour. And STILL no peeing? I know it's ridiculous, but I'm afraid that the force of my peeing will eject that little embryo right outta there. Obviously, that's not the case and not biologically sound reasoning, but you KNOW you've thought the same thing! ;)

So, how did you ladies handle this day? A big glass of water before you leave for the appointment? Empty your bladder just a wee bit (pun intended) at the clinic before your appt starts? As always, I value your advice!

MRSstrong 11/02/2014

Have no fear! I'm a pee maniac too. I get up 2-3x a night and if I feel like I can't go, then I get nervous and feel like I really have to. I drank a small cup as I was waiting, so by the time I actually had the transfer, it was full. But I wasn't sitting there waiting forever like that. If you think about how much easier it is for the Dr to see, which makes the transfer go more smoothy, it helps. I was surprised they let me get up and pee right away, but with al the emotions I sort of forgot I had to go, so I bet you are so distracted you feel the same way.

GOOD LUCK!

tntpetal 11/02/2014

There is such a thing as TOO full and I have had RE nurses tell me to try emptying out a little bit before transfer:0) This last time around I had to partially empty out twice before my transfer. I LOVE lots of ice in my drinks so I usually take my water bottle and fill it with ice, and then dump a bottle of water over that and work on my water bottle en-route to my transfer. I almost never drink the entire thing before I feel like I am about to pee my pants so that's when I stop. Our infertility clinic is about 50 minutes away though so if yours is closer to where you live, you may need to start the water sipping process before you leave the house.
For all of my transfers (IVF & FETs) They have usually set a timer for 10-15 minutes after the transfer takes place. But at the same time if I feel like I can't wait that long they tell me to go pee and then get back up on the table and wait/rest for the 10-15 min time frame. I have also had a transfer day where they told me I could just get up and leave and there was no waiting at all! (That was a first and only time that I have ever experienced that & yes I questioned it)

SwtpND 11/04/2014

Did your RE not do a trial transfer for you? The RE told me to drink 60 oz of water before coming in. I was like hell no i will pee myself. i think i drank about 40 oz and i was dying when i got there. They let me pee a little 2 times.

I was like how the hell am i supposed to just pee a little when my bladder is bursting..

when I got on the table after peeing a little twice the RE said my bladder was still too full.

so today is my ET so i am going to not drink near as much water.

thewaitinggame 11/04/2014

Yes, he did do a trial transfer, but I didn't need a full bladder for it. I asked him if I should empty my bladder prior to the trial, and he said no, that it would be better if my bladder wasn't EMPTY, but that it didn't need to be full, either.

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