Thanks @cariad2017: it was absolutely fine. All went well and textbook. No pain, minor discomfort, lovely staff, virtually no waiting time.... and 7 eggs, which is OK by me. There were 12 follicles which considering my AFC at my baseline scan was only 9 is amazing! Obviously not all 7 eggs will be good enough, or fertilise, but I can but hope that some will; that enough will....
In terms of the procedure though I can say I was most pleasantly surprised. Not sure if I was lucky, but for anyone worrying, I would say, don't! It was all over in about 20 mins. I was awake but not in pain the whole time....can't really remember what happened but I guess that's the idea. I remember listening to people talking (there were about 6 people in the room!) but after that just snoozing in the recovery area.
I will find out tomorrow how many eggs have successfully fertilised, and how many embryos will likely be good enough for transfer. Transfer will be on Tuesday, all being well. They will only put one back as I'm under 40, so I only need one!! Obviously if I am lucky enough to have more than one - which would be lucky with 7 eggs retrieved, considering the attrition factor - they will be frozen.
It has been weird today and yesterday with no injections! Weird but good! Now I just have progesterone pessaries for the next two weeks, which is much easier.
@LillyLeaf I checked and the whole thing from me starting my injections to doing the pregnancy test will be just over 5 weeks. But that's just me and how my injections and appointments worked out; it is different for everyone. For example if you go back to our nurse appointment, which is really the official "start" of IVF, then you can add on an extra week and a half. And if you include all the tests and appointments / consultations prior to that you would be going back months....
However in terms of work and time off, as in when you will be having apps and scans and possibly needing time off due to feeling ill from meds, I would say 4-5 weeks in total. I have only ended up having three days off: today, tomorrow, and Tuesday for the transfer (fingers crossed).
I was not advised to take time off after transfer by any doctors or nurses, but just to take it easy. My acupuncturist did recommend time off but I just don't think I could manage it with my work. I can't just "take holiday" because I'm a teacher; I would have to phone in sick and get a sick note. So I am going to go in but just try to do the bare minimum as much as I can. If you can get time off then that's great and if your job is stressful then I would advise it. The hardest thing and the most stressful has been not injecting or anything medical but the worry of taking time off work, and having to speak to them about something so personal and private! My acupuncturist also said if you can only choose so many days, and are wondering "when?", then choose after transfer because it will maximise your chances of it working due to reduced stress; you would really be able to take it easy just as the embryo is getting settled in (hopefully). However make sure you always leave 2 days for egg collection as you can't drive after the sedation for 24 hours, so would have a hard time getting into work anyway! Good luck! :0)