Moderate OHSS with positive test after IVF

[123penguin123]

Hi everyone,
I was wondering if anyone has any experience of moderate OHSS with a positive test following IVF please? I'm 27, and despite having over 30 follicles we only ended up with 2 very low quality embryos which they put in together, saying we had

[itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted]

Hi what clinic are you with? I had early stage OHSS and clinic refused to transfer as it's too dangerous so I'm surprised that your clinic have done this when you got so many follicles? I asked my doctor about it and they said that OHSS and the treatment for it isn't safe during early pregnancy - I would get a second opinion ASAP x

[Mutstersmum]

I had moderate to severe OHSS starting from 5dp5dt despite only 15 eggs retrieved. It was truly miserable and necessitated a week in hospital! I swelled up like a beach ball and was more uncomfortable than being 9 months pregnant. I was so full of fluid and round that even the consultant laughed at me!! Basically it gets worse for a few days, plateaus then gradually self resolves. I got worse for about a week around 4-5 weeks of pregnancy and it took until about 8 weeks pregnant to resolve, though I was put on daily clexane injections and 5mg folic acid until 12 weeks.
I would say that I had to be quite persistent to get the clinic to see me when I was developing the initial symptoms, but they admitted me when my albumin levels started dropping and I cried down the phone saying that I couldn't look after my toddler and was seeing stars!! It was such a relief to be admitted to hospital.
So make sure you're reassessed regularly in the initial stages with weighing and blood samples. It's really important that you're weeing out as much as you're drinking. I've never felt so dehydrated, though interestingly never felt sick or struggled to eat! Hang in there it will get better

[123penguin123]

Thank you so much for your replies! I am at Chester - to be honest I was quite surprised they transferred as I did have symptoms before embryo transfer, but they did check me and say it was fine. I only had 17 eggs from over 30 follicles, and they said 20 was the cut off.

Mutstersmum - thank you so much, that's the most information I've seen on what happens if you're pregnant with OHSS anywhere!!! I'm relieved to hear it doesn't get worse for the whole 8 weeks! I rang my clinic yesterday morning and in fairness they did get me in quickly, and they're re-scanning me on Friday. Only thing is they just said "it will get worse" now, so not really sure how bad I let it go without contacting them? I was just told to drink lots of water and measure my output, but not to weigh myself or anything. I did that over the last few days and I've gained around 2 pound each day. I look like I've swallowed a watermelon - I'm normally a UK size 8 and got my husband to bring me home size 14 pjs yesterday, and even they put pressure on my stomach!

[windy2909]

Hi there,

Congratulations on your bfp! It sounds like your clinic have been a bit careless and offered you a fresh transfer, when they should have insisted on a freeze all. However, all going well you won’t complain, as you’ve got your bfp!

My understanding is that it won’t get better until the placenta takes over around week 9 of your pregnancy. Up until this point, your body is relying on the hcg hormone to sustain the pregnancy and it is the hcg that makes the OHSS worse.

[Mutstersmum]

For me it got worse everyday for about a week as they warned me it might and I was truly enormous! I got the impression I was at the extreme end in terms of length of time getting to the plateau stage and slept propped up with pillows until about 8-9 weeks pregnant.
They admitted me when my bloods were showing signs of dehydration and I felt really ill and faint. I was not better when I was discharged, just not getting any worse. Then I had to hide myself away to avoid having to explain to my neighbours why I was suddenly looking full term pregnant!!

[123penguin123]

Thank you very much Windy, and 9 weeks is good to know thanks!

Mutstersmum - thank you again! Do you mind me asking at the plateau point did it get gradually better or just stay equally as bad for a while...? My bloods do show dehydration but since my kidney tests were okay I was told I was okay at home and just written off work. Is there anything you can suggest to get rid of the pain except for codeine? I'm trying to move round a bit, but I'm literally staggering from one room to the next bent double! Not really sure if I'm best to stay still or try to potter.

[Mutstersmum]

To be honest, the fluid was quite slow to reduce and I felt pretty dreadful for a couple of weeks after leaving hospital and then I suddenly shrank back to 'normal' around 8 weeks. I took 3 weeks off work, but should have had 4. I didn't take anything for the discomfort, just toughed it out I'm afraid. To be honest I was a bit traumatised by how quickly I was struck down from full health to virtual cripple in the space of about 3 days. By the 12 week scan all abdominal fluid had gone and OHSS just seemed like it had been a bad dream!
Hang in there

[Teddybear45]

I developed mild OHSS and my clinic still proceeded with a fresh transfer. They give you some tablets to reduce symptoms between egg collection and the transfer. OHSS shouldn’t result in any hard and fast rules if you have a good clinic as they will monitor you daily and should refer you to hospital if required.