Travelling for IVF - PCOS/OHSS

[TheHopefulEgg]

I’m due to travel to begin IVF in just over 5 weeks’ time. Estimating 7 weeks for EC and I’ll be closely monitored for OHSS. My OH will arrive for EC. All going well, FET will be in a few months after I’ve had some other tests.

I have a few questions for anyone who’s travelled for IVF. Did you take time off? Or wish you had or hadn’t? And if you did take time off, was this for the whole period prior to EC or did you also take time off after? As I have PCOS, there are some concerns about OHSS, so I’m trying to “time” holidays as best as I can but appreciate it’s impossible to make a detailed plan. I guess I just want space to deal with the side effects of stimulation, if there are any.

My work is flexible and I can generally work from anywhere, but I don’t want to be too accessible to clients, so might pop my out of office on and say that I’m travelling/not responding to emails as frequently (or something to that effect). I could take a few weeks off, which I know is a huge luxury, but I wonder if I’ll go out of my mind. Especially as I’ll be away from home and mostly on my own!

Bit of a brain dump, sorry, but I figure if I have a rough plan then I can remove one stressor!

Hi there! Same boat here 👋

I'm traveling for IVF too in 3 weeks, and I have the option of working either remotely or hybrid (in general)

I thought about it a lot, I decided that I'm going to take time off AND do a couple of half days of working remotely. This way I will be able to recover from any pain (if something hurts), and have time to feel whatever comes, but if I need something to distract me, do some paperwork that needs to be done.

My sister has suggested 2 mini series that I can binge and I got a couple of books I always wanted to read.

I am single, so I dont have a partner to come with, I wanted to take my mum with me so I have some company, but it's not certain yet.

One of my friends also suggested pre-arranging some quick zoom calls with friends, so there are people that will be checking in with me daily and having someone to chat with.

@TheHopefulEgg when are you travelling? Do you have any ideas or any plans to do or anything really that I haven't thought about?

Hi @IsabelHerna thanks so much for sharing! I travel in about 4 weeks. So not too far away now. You?

Reading my post back I can see I was massively overthinking earlier this week. I just wanted to take control of as much as possible as it feels like a lot of this is out of my hands. But I’m calmer today.

Seems you have a good plan there with the option of picking up or dropping work as you need to. I’ve given it more thought and think I’m going to extend timescales on turning work around to give me some breathing space. Then I can take care of tasks when I’m feeling up to it.

I’m meeting a couple of friends for walks just to break things up as I’ll be on my own for the most part. I know a few people where I’m going but keeping this mostly under wraps.

Definitely bringing some books and might do some writing! What series’ are you going for?

@TheHopefulEgg Thank you for replying.

We all overthink at moments, Ι'm glad you're feeling better and calmer.

I think it's a good choice to increase your timescales and just do tasks when you feel like it. This way you will be able to feel more relaxed and be more productive.

Oh that's nice that you know some people where you're going, and will be able to go for a walk when you feel to.

I'm thinking that it will help me if I dont watch series with babies or fertility or even romcoms.. I've heard great things about the Manifest, Inventing Anna, Sweet magnolias season 2. These will buy me a few days for sure. I like your idea of writing, maybe i can figure out to do something creative or productive... any ideas?

I’m quite into journaling so maybe an activity like that? Might help with exploring how you’re feeling and prepare you emotionally. Or you could try something creating like a macrame kit if you like to use your hands. I’m taking an air dried clay kit that’s been hanging around in my cupboard and making some kind of wall hanging! Anything to keep my mind busy @IsabelHerna!

Is that just a couple of weeks to go now?

@TheHopefulEgg I love your ideas! You're right, anything to keep our minds busy! I will bring with me my knitting needles, that will be a fun conversation at the airport 😂 Yep, just about 10 days now, ouff excited!

Hopping on this thread because this will be me in August! Thanks for sharing all your ideas! I also will be staying there during the process since I am able to!
wishing you all the best
xx