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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For those who have done IVF...

JA0811
JA0811
Hey guys! I have been planning a mini vaca to CT to visit my friend and my family in July. my IVF cycle is also in July.... My RE said I actually could go without a problem, bc when i was planning to go will be after the retrieval and transfer. But he said I would have to get a blood pregnancy test 9 days after the transfer, which would occur during my time away. He said I could have it done anywhere, so its not a big deal. The thing is, my DH isn't going with me on this little trip and I dond want to be so far apart in finding out this news. I am wondering- at 9 days past transfer, would they really just be checking my levels and use that in the following days to determine if I am pregnant or not based if the levels are droping or increasing? Or will it really be determined that early that I am definitely pregnant? I didn't think to ask when the next test would be after the one on day 9. What days have you all tested on?? And while I am at it, I have another question: How many days off work did you guys take for both the retrieval and the transfer?? The literature from my RE just said something about resting on that day. I try not to bombard my RE with questions that are so far off still, but I am trying to plan my work schedule at the same time, so its hard. THANKS FOR THE HELP!!
deleted_user
deleted_user
My doctor told me to take one day off for the retrieval and two days off for the transfer to "let things settle in there."

As for the testing 9 days past, I'm not really sure because where I go they do it 12 days past transfer to determine pregnancy. I'm not sure what a 9 day level would be used for.

If it were me, I would love to be somewhere else and on a mini vacation during my 2ww. I haven't gone through it yet, but I feel like that will be the most stressful time since you aren't really doing anything productive. Seems like a lot of sitting around and worring or over analyzing every little "symptom" you might be having. I feel like if I could get away during that time I most definitely would! I don't think that skipping the day 9 level check will affect the outcome of your IVF cycle. Obviously talk to your RE, but I don't think there is anything they can do after the transfer to ensure you will get and stay pregnant.

I hope this helps and pray you get your BFP! Pray for me too will ya? I'm having my retrieval very soon.

Sticky baby dust to both of us!!!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Are you doing a 3 or 5 day transfer? With a 5 day transfer, 9 days post transfer will tell for sure if you are pregnant or not. They generally check it every other day after that to make sure it is rising accordingly to rule out etopic or miscarriage. I have heard of some clinics not telling you until after the 2nd or 3rd beta so you could ask your clinic not to tell you anything until after you got back from CT. I could see how it would be hard to be away from your husband if you find out one way or the other.
Don't worry about traveling after transfer. You aren't going to "knock" the babies lose or anything. If the embryos are strong they will implant no matter how much you are bobbling them around.
I think the vacation will be great for you and you could just wait to find out the results until you get back!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Good luck and just go with it. My RE (had I gotten that far)---boo hoo for me...lol....said that studies are showing normal 'moderate' activity after transfer so go and have some fun. About the results, just tell them you don't want to know until you are back and call in:-) I have no will power but it might work for you
deleted_user
deleted_user
When I read your post I checked back on my frozen cycle to see how many days post transfer they did the beta, I always thought it was 10, but it was actually only 9. So yes 9 days is enough time to determine a pregnancy as mine was positive with HCG at 150. I guess though that if it had been negative at 9 days they possibly would still have got me to do another one in 48 hours since it does seem a bit early to write off the cycle. I would ask your RE if they would retest either way.

As the other ladies have already said, it might be a good thing for them to hold back the results until you are back with DH.

For my fresh IVF round I had 1 day off work post transfer, but I did take the whole time off between the retrieval and transfer because our clinic is a 3 hour drive away so DH and I decided to stay the whole week over at the town where our clinic was located (rather then driving back and forth across a sometimes snowy mountain pass). I was glad I took the time off, I think I would have been too distracted at work to concentrate anyway.

The vacation sounds like fun so I would go for it! Good luck and lots of baby dust!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I forgot to mention....mine was a Day 5 embryo....9 days would probably be too soon to determine a 3 day transfer pregnancy (I think??)
RoxyD
RoxyD
I think a mini vacation would have been great during my TWW. I needed 3 bloodtest to determine my levels where going up normaly because implantation and not transfert date is what impacts your hormone levels. In my case it was late implantation that cause them to reevaluate a 3rd time before finaly telling me things looked good.

I also had one day off at retrival and two at the transfert. Once that's done your Doc might but you on meds to help, mine did, but there's nothing more they could do that you can't do on vacation. Plus if it helps your stress level stay low, that's a plus too.

I hope you get your BFP no matter what you decide.
JA0811
JA0811
Brilliant! Thanks so much for the good advice ladies! I think I could definitely hold off a couple days on the results if that meant I could get away for a bit and not let my hubby down at the same time! My friend and I planned this trip almost 6 months ago, I am shocked that it happens to fall at the perfect time in the cycle to where I can actually go away- AND as everyone mentioned- have a wonderful relaxing discretion for my TWW! God is good:) I was so upset when I ovulated early two months ago, but now I see this worked out perfectly. Also, we are moving in two weeks- it would have been a terribly stressful TWW if I had never ovulated early and we were doing our transfer in the next week or two! Its a relief to see things working out even when I feel so out of control! Thanks again for the advice everyone, and the info about how many days to take off. i feel much better! And Naiani- I did pray for you! xo
bc0rny
bc0rny
It is so funny how all RE's are different. Mine told me 3 days bedrest after transfer and then take it easy during the entire 2WW. So for my sanity and because I knew I wouldn't be able to concentrate at work, I took the entire 2 weeks off for my first cycle. I'm in the middle of my 2nd cycle right now and I took off more time. I took off from retrieval to pregnancy test, but I am taking a short trip during my 2WW to visit my family. My RE was fine with it as long as I wasn't planning to fly.

Best of luck to you.
deleted_user
deleted_user
My RE told me to take off the day of retrieval and the day of the transfer. He said to just take it easy during the 2ww, not to lift anything heavy and not to do any activity that would pull at my stomach area. But it sounds like different RE's have different oppinions about this.

If you are doing a 5 day transfer 9 days is right. Then your RE will want to do a another test a few days later if it's positive to make sure your levels are going up.

A trip would be amazing during the 2ww, it will help to take your mind off everything and to relax. Good luck!!!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Lots of baby dust.