IVF and going on holiday

[Norts10]

Hi everyone,
I’m due to start my first round of IVF at the end of Jan and I also have my honeymoon booked for the end of Feb 🙈.

We have the option to have the collection and freeze any embryos, then continue with the transfer when we are back.
Or we can do the whole cycle including the transfer before we go, we would then find out if it had been successful while we are away.

I’m leaning towards doing the whole cycle before we go but my DH is a bit concerned about there being any side effects or me not feeling great after everything and thinks it might be better to wait. Consultant is also gently pushing us towards this option but he didn’t seem too concerned about doing the transfer before we go either.
I just want to get on with it but not sure if I’m being impatient and naive to the whole situation.

If anyone who has been through IVF would mind sharing your opinion. The holiday is to the Maldives if that makes a difference to anything.

I'd do a freeze all and then transfer when you get back personally. I thought there was some evidence that there was a slightly higher success rate overall with a break and then a FET than a fresh cycle but it's been a few years since we had IVF. Timings can also change a bit based on how you respond to drugs so you might end up with a transfer that's pushed back a few days. Plus I'd want to be able to enjoy myself on honeymoon!

@mynameiscalypso

I'd do a freeze all and then transfer when you get back personally. I thought there was some evidence that there was a slightly higher success rate overall with a break and then a FET than a fresh cycle but it's been a few years since we had IVF. Timings can also change a bit based on how you respond to drugs so you might end up with a transfer that's pushed back a few days. Plus I'd want to be able to enjoy myself on honeymoon!

100% this.

I would do a freeze all or just wait til post honeymoon. As well as the physical side effects, don't underestimate the impact that IVF has on your mood, your sex drive and general ability to enjoy life.

Do you really want to spend you honeymoon unable to drink, have intercourse,worrying about what food you can eat and avoiding hot tubs etc? Worrying there will be blood every time you go to the loo?

I am an absolute IVF veteran (10 rounds!) and 100% recommend that in this situation you do not transfer before your honeymoon.

Not to be a doom monger! I have two children from IVF and currently tentatively pregnant again but you will never get your honeymoon back. Maybe you'll be fine and breeze through it all, but maybe not. I wouldn't risk it.

I've had 2 rounds of IVF. It really depends on several factors such as why you are needing IVF, your age etc? You wont know if you will get OHS, but more like if you have PCOS. I didnt get OHS either time and generally felt ok. The 2nd time they upped the med dose, so I felt nauseous, but otherwise, felt fine.

There is no guarantee that you will even have enough mature eggs, that successfully fertilise and reach blastocyst- to have any to freeze! In my case, mine never reached blastocyst, on either round, so fresh cycle was the only option to have half a chance.

IF, the embryos are growing well and they advice they could be frozen, then its an option. You wont know this till near the end of the cycle though.

Have you had all your vaccines for the maldives? I dont think zika is a huge risk there currently, but in some areas of the world- its still rife and not advised to get pregnant within 6mths of travel. Have you discussed these risks with your GP/fertility specialist?

IF I had to go abroad currently and I had good embryos that could be frozen, I'd likely do that, rather than travelling abroad during a pandemic when potentially pregnant. I assume you have checked your travel insurance covers pregnancy related issues too?

Thank you, thank you! I needed some honest advice!!

@TeddyTonksGirlfriend thank you, I needed to hear all of that. After the collection how long is it usually until you start feeling ok again in your experience? I’ve got 2 weeks from scheduled collection until we fly.

Collection never really knocked me that much to be honest. Felt fine after a day I would say, though I know others who have been more affected.

You will probably be advised to avoid sex so that is a consideration. You will probably be advised to avoid hot tubs, baths etc. You may be advised to avoid swimming and massages etc. Certainly during the 2 week wait, and then for me I am always advised to follow these rules up to 12 weeks as well, but everyone is given personalised advice.

I got late onset OHSS the first time I got pregnant and had to be hospitalised approx two weeks after egg collection for several days, which ideally you wouldn't want in the Maldives...

The drugs you are on after collection/transfer to support a potential pregnancy have varying side effects,ranging from nothing up to sore boobs, tiredness, irritability, bloating, nausea...

Of course if you get pregnant you may have those symptoms too!

I also bleed everytime I get pregnant which is incredibly bloody stressful. This is more common than you might think.

I would really say unequivocally do not transfer before your honeymoon. If you are older (over 35) I'd do a freeze all. Also if you/hubby intend to drink a lot on honeymoon I'd do a freeze all beforehand so youve got better quality sperm and eggs than after a big blowout.

If you do go ahead and transfer,make sure you have excellent travel insurance that covers you for pregnancy and IVF complications.

Sorry...that all sounded very bossy, typing while being pawed at by my (IVF!) DC

Lots of people breeze through and I thought I'd be one of them, especially as we had IVF for male factor...but unfortunately I wasn't and we have had a whole load of drama! Hopefully you won't but I wouldn't risk your honeymoon for it

Not strictly answering your question, but be careful when you postpone to, if you end up doing that. I spent 10 days in bed, in our over-water villa in the Maldives, feeling sick as a dog in my first trimester! Most expensive lie down I've ever had 😢 Also good luck with the IVF 🍀💕

@Norts10

Thank you, thank you! I needed some honest advice!!

@TeddyTonksGirlfriend thank you, I needed to hear all of that. After the collection how long is it usually until you start feeling ok again in your experience? I’ve got 2 weeks from scheduled collection until we fly.

I was sore after collection and fresh round for ages. My frozen round was so much nicer and has slightly better outcomes too.

No brainier!

@TeddyTonksGirlfriend 😂 not at all, I appreciate the honesty. Ours is mainly male factor as well (although I’m down an ovary too).

Thanks everyone, sounds like a frozen transfer when we are back is the way to go xx

My children are both from frozen embryo cycles- so I feel positive about FET!

Also I don't think you will enjoy your honeymoon on a 2week wait and if it doesn't work you might feel what ifs,

I'd also say getting some sunshine and your vit d levels up would prob be really good for your general health and future pregnancy.