Embryo transfer day - managing the bladder situation

[duckling3]

Hi, just wondering for those of you who have been through the embryo transfer process - how did you manage the full bladder situation. I'm nervous my bladder will be too full and I'll wet myself in the process or will be too empty and that will be problematic in a different way. Guess I'm just worrying out loud before my ET Wednesday. Im hoping it's just me fixating in something that is really not a big deal?

They said to me that I should empty my bladder then drink a 500ml bottle of water on my way to the centre, to be comfortably full and not busting for the loo is the aim.

Thanks @justkeeprunning5 , that's very helpful.

Can't help but feel pretty nervous about it, I'm hoping they might be able to give some kind of calming medication but I don't know if that's something they do.

I hope your ET went/ goes well.

I've done 3 transfers and always been worried about this but you'd be surprised that if Even when they are messing about down there the body seems to know not to let go of the bladder! Plus it's over in 10 mins and then you can go to the loo!

i was told to empty my bladder 1h before the transfer and drink 500ml 30min before the transter...it was absolutely fine..hope all goes well for you.

I always uncomfortably overfilled for mine as I wasn't given exact instructions l, and had to let some out. Try and drink a pint one hour before and you'll be fine. Good luck!

I was nervous about this too! Especially as I was still tender from EC. I went to loo 1.5hrs before then drank 500ml about 30/45 mins before. The nurse said my bladder was 'perfect' 😂😂

Good luck!

And, if you're interested, there's a really lovely supportive thread full of IVF ladies on their 2WW here if you need to chat/ rant! Xx

TWW Jan/Feb 2020 www.mumsnet.com/Talk/infertility/3800772-TWW-Jan-Feb-2020

@duckling3 No problem at all. I had a transfer at the end of last year.

Clearly it’s not the most comfortable thing in the world but it’s not that bad. Really like a smear test (just takes a little longer).

Easier said than done but if you can try to concentrate on breathing and relaxing into it that helps too but honestly it’s over in less than 10 minutes and you can see your little embryo shooting across the screen into place - it’s pretty magical really.

Wishing you all the best.

@duckling3 Just to add here that for my second transfer I was uncomfortably full and so they did let me go and empty my bladder a bit after an initial abdominal scan showed how full I was. They let me do that before any catheters etc were inserted. I think others advice here is spot on and they definitely want you to be comfortably rather than uncomfortably full. You don't have to be full to bursting, just with enough liquid in your bladder for your uterus to be nice and visible on the ultrasound. It really is over very quickly and then you can go straight to the loo. Good luck for your transfer!

Thanks everyone , this is exactly what I needed to read this morning. Such a lovely group of people in this forum 😊

Sorry to be the voice of doom but I have to say I do find transfer to be by far the worst part of IVF, and that's purely down to the full bladder aspect. I do have a laughably small bladder capacity, though - most people seem to find it a breeze.

Most of my transfers have therefore consisted of me being very, very uncomfortable and having a really difficult time - but I did get through all of them, and you will too. My most recent transfer (which took!) was actually the best, because the doctor basically saw the state of me and told me to go let out some urine and he'd do the transfer no matter what.

One thing to bear in mind is, you'll likely have some time between when you get there and when transfer actually happens - so, try not to arrive already uncomfortable, because... well, you'll be really uncomfortable! Best of luck, and don't panic - you can do it.

I was absolutely fine having my transfers! It's not painful and l seemed to forget about the full bladder as was concentrating on the transfer! I just drank the water nearer to the appointment time rather than lots of time before and it was fine! Good luck and l hope it works!!!!!l

When I got to my transfer I felt that I had had lots of drink because I needed to go to the toilet! I got in, they scanned my bladder and decided they would like more so they could see more clearly so they got my four cups of water and I had to drink them there and then and then I was left for 10 minutes and then rescanned and it was fine but very uncomfortable. I’ve had a faint BFP so far so it seems like it’s been worth it! You can go to the toilet straight after. Try not to worry.

Hi, OP - even if it's uncomfortable, you'll manage. I promise. I was so worried about this too, but while I wouldn't describe it as the most fun morning ever, it was totally fine. DD is now 4.5

Good luck today xx

Like the others say aim to start filling around 40 minutes before, I have a really sensitive bladder due to having endo on it and I had to have mine filled with saline with a catheter as I couldn't hold enough, I was convinced I had drank loads until they scanned me! luckily they drained it for me before I got off the bed

Thanks for all the comments. The advise to empty and refill 30-45 mins in advance worked perfectly.

Everything went well, really nothing to worry too much about in hindsight.

@duckling3 Glad to hear it went well!