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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

Hysterosalpingogram - HSG

24 replies

blackcherries · 06/12/2016 17:54

Anyone want to share their experiences? I have one booked tomorrow and a little scared. I have to collect my toddler straight after so not sure how that will go..

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Original poster
blackcherries · 06/12/2016 18:13

Also is it ok to do on day 3 of cycle? They are only available to do it once a week and by day 10 (the next opportunity) I would want to be ttc again.

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ClassmateHB · 06/12/2016 18:15

Day three? Are you still bleeding? I'm sure i had to do mine mid cycle, but that was 11 years ago.

Take painkillers. And someone with you. I won't lie, mine hurt. I screamed as the dye was pumped in, and the nurse had to hold me down, but my consultant afterwards did wonder if I had a small blockage that was forced clear as the dye then ran ok.

Original poster
blackcherries · 06/12/2016 18:32

I will have medium to light bleeding so I think they will decide on the day. They said they do it from days 1 to 10 but not if heavy bleeding. Hope that's not more misinformation...! I can't take anyone with me sadly. Hoping it will just get over with quickly.

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Original poster
blackcherries · 06/12/2016 18:34

I'm having slight second thoughts now as googling suggests lots of ppl are requested to do it after bleeding stops but I hardly have any time before I start ttc and their lack of availability doesn't help. I don't want to miss a cycle ttc.

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ClassmateHB · 06/12/2016 18:41

Honestly? I would go for the day 10, and miss this cycle. Tbh, I'm sure i was advised to miss the cycle with the HSG anyway (but again, eleven years ago)

Original poster
blackcherries · 06/12/2016 18:48

Ok thinking of doing that.Really frustrating I can never speak to the experts who do it just the receptionists

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katieferg81 · 06/12/2016 19:34

I've has one and I took a couple of paracetamol and ibuprofen an hour before and whilst it wasn't the most pleasurable experience it certainly wasn't horrific or agonising. It was really uncomfortable when the dye was going in but other than that only slight discomfort and after it was completed and I got cleaned up and changed I was fine. Good luck x

Original poster
blackcherries · 06/12/2016 21:19

Thanks!
I've been going back and forth and going to go in tomorrow and see what they say re bleeding. It does seem odd to go mid-period but I don't want to miss a month. Trying to juggle the childcare as well.

I stupidly didn't ask about having to hold off ttc for any length of time but googling, the advice seems to be mixed.

Not looking forward to it at all, got ds1 in nursery for an extra day but not going to be able to enjoy my morning off!

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katieferg81 · 07/12/2016 10:06

As odd as it sounds I now have fond memories of mine but only because my lovely dad took me and he passed away very suddenly last month. I hope it goes ok for you and it either gives you a good clear out so that you concieve after it or it provides you with some answers so that you know what the next steps are. My HSG showed an issue with my right tube and after a lap and dye it would appear I have a hydrosalpinx so I think they'll look to remove that next year and then it will possibly by IVF. Fingers crossed for you x

Original poster
blackcherries · 07/12/2016 12:29

thank you katie - even though I don't know you, that means a lot!

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Original poster
blackcherries · 07/12/2016 21:18

Another post from me, sorry - had it postponed for a couple of days which is great, but another person from the fertility consultants' advised that we should use condoms for the rest of the cycle after having the HSG. That was news to me, I'd asked if we needed to leave a few days or anything but bit worried if we need to skip that whole cycle.

Googling indicates the advice on this is mixed, any experiences/advice from anyone?

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katieferg81 · 07/12/2016 22:29

We were given no advice for after the procedure just advised to abstain between first day of cycle and the HSG being performed this is to prevent any possibly fertilised embryo from being washed back up your tubes leading to an ectopic.

MouseLove · 07/12/2016 22:34

Personally I wouldn't risk it. It's weeks to wait. Remember you'll be waiting 9 months. Your health comes first right now. X

ClassmateHB · 08/12/2016 07:56

I was advised not to TTC and to use condoms that cycle yes.

Original poster
blackcherries · 08/12/2016 18:25

Do you know what the reason is? I've seen some people say they're encouraged to try that cycle!

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Brighteyes27 · 08/12/2016 18:29

Had one mine hurt like hell at time but soon over with. I nearly crushed the poor nurses hand. God knows what they were doing with mine but they also burst the tube. Good news is after it after trying to conceive for over a year I got pregnant within a few months so I reckon their was maybe some sort of blockage.

MouseLove · 08/12/2016 20:46

I would think you're at a greater risk of miscarriage. Please don't risk it. It's not worth the heartache of an abnormal or lost pregnancy. X

InspectorPenguin · 08/12/2016 20:59

I had my HSG done one week ago and it was absolutely fine. I took co-drydamol about 20 mins beforehand and honestly didn't feel a thing; I was barely able to know when the dye went in.

I wasn't told anything about abstaining from TTC for the cycle after the procedure and we have been going at it like rabbits this month. I'm sure the Consultant would have said something if there was a risk, or it would have been in all the paperwork they sent through; the NHS is very risk averse after all.

Saying that I didn't get a positive OPK until CD17, and the HSG was on CD11, so I had a good break between the two. Maybe the concern comes from if people conceive literally straight afterwards and there is still some dye working its way through?

Hope it goes it well and good luck TTC.

Original poster
blackcherries · 09/12/2016 17:53

Thank you!! Well I was sick with worry for about 2 days solid beforehand and honestly didn't feel a thing, my last smear was more uncomfortable than that. Results look good too, thank God.

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DizzyNorthernBird · 09/12/2016 18:32

I had mine done in September. I'd previously been booked in the previous cycle but they turned me away after I admitted I'd had sex that cycle (even though I was bbt tracking, hadn't ovulated yet and it was about 10 days before I was likely to due to long cycles).

Mine didn't hurt at all, it was slightly uncomfortable but not any more than a smear test (which don't bother me). It was really interesting as I could see what was going on on the screen the whole time. I didn't take painkillers before and didn't need any afterwards. Remember to take a pad with you for afterwards though, you can't use a tampon.

I was only told not to dtd the day after and only to do it when I felt ready. We dtd when I was fertile that month and I fell pregnant. Now 14 weeks (pregnancy has an uncertain future at the moment but that's another story).

Original poster
blackcherries · 09/12/2016 21:14

dizzynorthernbird great news that you got your bfp, sorry to hear the last bit though, hoping all is ok and nothing to do with the HSG...

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FaithFromTheRealmsOfGlory · 09/12/2016 21:28

I had mine about cycle day 8. You're supposed to have protected sex before the HSG just in case you did ovulate early and get pregnant (the HSG could potentially cause a miscarriage). I think some people believe that TTC should be encouraged because likelihood of getting pregnant is increased for a couple of months afterwards because it's effectively 'cleaning the pipes'.

I had a generally positive experience. The staff were lovely and supportive. The word that springs to mind to describe the experience was that it 'smarted'. They said it was worse because I had a narrow cervix opening Hmm It was over quite quickly. I found painkillers and a hot water bottle helpful later that day.

AmyC86 · 10/12/2016 06:33

Mine was 5 years ago. Done over day surgery. My cervix kept bouncing out of the way so they had to clamp it - the single most worst pain I've ever felt. I was so glad that I was lying down as my knees (which had been strapped into stirrups) shoock violently and uncontrollably until my cervix was unclapmed about 10 minutes later. Didn't feel anything else & both of my tubes where clear.

Nattx · 30/04/2018 18:40

Hi. I know this is an old thread but I'm currently going through fertility treatment myself and was booked in by my consultant to have a HSG done today and would like to share my experience with others who are due to undergo this procedure too.
I know there is alot of speculation as to whether the procedure hurts, my answer is no not at all but everyone is different and I had read up on alot about HSG previously and mostly what I read up is that it was painful so I was pretty nervous!
Two days before my appointment I took the antibiotic prescribed to me by the consultant and also an hour before my appointment I took some ibuprofen which I was advised to do so to minimise any pain or discomfort. I went with my partner as I was advised by the fertility sister to go with someone rather than drive home myself incase I was in any pain or discomfort.
We got to the x-ray department and I expected my partner to be able to come with me but was told he would have to wait in the main waiting area. As I went to another waiting area I was ment by a nurse who asked me if I could give her a urine sample before the procedure took place (pregnancy test). After that was over and done with I was led to a little cubicle type room to get changed into a gown (from the waist down). I literally had 5 minutes sat in the waiting room to gather my thoughts and calm my nerves before I was called into the x-ray room. There were 3 people room in the room, the consultant, a nurse and the radiologist. I was asked to sit onto the bed, lie down, put my feet together and then let my legs flop at each side (exactly the same as what happens at a smear test).
Whilst I was laid in this position a clamp with inserted in my vagina (to open me up basically) and then the doctor cleaned out my cervix to prevent any infection occurring. After this a long thin straw was inserted into my cervix (I was asked to cough a few times to help with entry of this). After the straw was in place the doctor then got a syringe which I assume was filled with the x-ray dye and attached it to the straw and then the x-ray screen was brought over my stomach.
At this time the nurse came around to the side of me and pointed out what everything was on the x-ray via a tv at the side of the bed. The doctor then started to push the dye through the straw and at this time the nurse told me I'd feel slight cramping as the dye was first entering my fallopian tubes which I could feel but it wasn't a anything different from usual menstrual cramping. The tv showed the dye entering and flowing free through my tubes which obviously meant I had no blockages thankfully as I have read up that it can be painful if there is any blockages..
Then after the procedure was over the doctor removed the clamp and I was then given a sanitary towel by the nurse as light spotting and dye leakage was normal after the procedure (I took my own anyway) and asked to go back to the cubicle outside the x-ray room and get changed back into my own clothing and then I was free to go.
I literally felt no different from when I first entered the hospital to leaving, the cramping I felt lasted a minute if that. I actually went shopping afterwards and have had very slight spotting but that is all since and it's now 7 hours later and haven't taken any more ibuprofen since this morning.
My tips would be take all medication the consultant has prescribed you before the procedure and take them accordingly, take pain relief such as ibruprohen an hour before the procedure is due to take place and also I know the nurse provided me with a sanitary towel but I felt alot more comfortable taking and using my own.
I hope anyone who is awaiting on the HSG to have the same experience as I did with minimal discomfort and remember _everyone is different! Just because one person found it incredibly painful doesn't mean you're going to!
Good luck! 🙂

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