Flying following ivf

[Firsttime2023]

Hi everyone,
I am due to start IVF this month. I have a holiday planned to Australia and if the IVF is successful I would be 8 weeks. My first Consultant at the hospital told me this would be fine, that it’s not a Zika risk and there is no link to flying and miscarriage. Just to stay hydrated and that I might feel rough!!
However, my second consultant at the fertility clinic advised I wait for the ivf until I return. I asked why, as I had been told there was no link to flying and miscarriage and she said no but you need to consider sickness/diarrhea, and if something did happen I wouldn’t forgive myself. But that it was my choice……this has left me feeling really conflicted and a bit annoyed that she would imply going on holiday could cause me to miscarry with no evidence this is actually the case?
we can’t postpone the holiday as it’s a wedding we are attending. And obviously this is only relevant if the IvF is successful but I just wondered what you all would do?

I personally would go for it, I think we put our life on hold so much due to infertility I'm at the point where I'm trying to not let it stop me. Also sickness/diarrhea could happen to anyone on a flight, obviously being pregnant you have a higher chance but some people have absolutely no sickness during pregnancy! People go abroad for treatment and fly back and forth! X

I don’t think the second consultants comments were particularly helpful to be honest, fair enough if you are visiting a country where you might be at a high risk of some form of food poisoning or sickness, but we’re talking about Australia here! I totally agree with the pps comments, you can’t put your life on hold for IVF, it can take years and several attempts and it’s just not mentally sustainable to live like that.

If it did work the more likely issue is that you could have quite bad morning sickness at that stage but you’d just have to battle through, being in Australia or the UK isn’t going to make any difference!

For some people this is a once in a lifetime process - i.e. they can only pay once so they want to exclude any risk.

For others - if you were pregnant easily then people would head off on the trip without a second thought.

They likely just assess risk differently. Why take any risk when it is such a rare event you are experiencing with the IVF? Our perception of risk might be - que sera - if it happens all will be well.

I'd go - but wonder for you what's the differnece of those few months all things being well.

Thanks all. I think for me I agree with you @waitingforourmiracle I feel like the last two years I have put so much on hold already, I don't want to anymore unless absolutely necessary!

@YanbuOk I agree we all assess and perceive risk differently. It may sound pessimistic but when given the odds of a 15% chance of ivf working, I am already considering I will likely need more rounds, so to me, every month counts unfortunately, especially as I am a bit older.

My head is telling me to go for it.

If my little bean continues to stick around, I’ll be 11 weeks when I fly to Majorca for a holiday. There is no know risk so sod it, I’m having some me time

I have heard of people flying from Australia back home to Ireland for IVF treatment. I think making sure you are hydrated and wear those special flight socks. It might be worth putting in a bid for business class tickets as you would be more comfortable. The only thing is morning sickness - some people get it worse than others but I think you will be ok and it’s something to look forward to x

@Firsttime2023 - in that case enjoy the wedding and the very best for your IVF journey.

Congratulations and enjoy your holiday 🩷

Thank you 🩷 Another reason I don’t want to delay is that if it doesn’t work, at least I have something to look forward to and take my mind off it

I would absolutely go and not put off the IVF until you're back! Especially as it's for a wedding. Being in Australia will be no different risk wise to here, it might be different if you were trekking the Amazon, but it'll be absolutely fine. And flying is also fine, the flight probably won't be the most fun you've ever had but take lots of snacks and compression socks a good idea. Good luck and have a fun trip!

Thanks again everyone. I spoke with the nurse this morning and she said there’s absolutely no reason I shouldn’t go ahead with everything before my trip so that, along with all of your input, has put my mind massively at rest! 🩷

@Firsttime2023 best of luck and enjoy Australia 💛

Thank you so much 🩷

The biggest risk would be blood clots on a long haul flight like that. I think ivf patients have a slightly increased risk of clots (not sure if it’s meds or hormones?) but every time I see my clinic they ask if I’ve traveled anywhere 4hrs or more or if I’m going to be. I haven’t so don’t know what they’d recommend if I was but they ask because of clots. (Maybe they’d give baby aspirin or maybe just Hydration, moving around and compression socks I’m sure would help). Maybe set an alarm so you don’t sleep more than 4hrs at a time on the flight. Get good travel insurance in case you did need to be seen for anything in Oz.

I did wonder this, and I assume it’s the meds that increase the risk for IVF patients? However, the consultant didn’t even mention this when she tried to convince me to postpone, and neither did the nurse so who knows!
if I am lucky enough to get a BFP I will make sure I’m up every couple of hours and will ask my clinic about aspirin. Thank you ☺️

That does sound like a frustrating mixed message, especially when you're trying to make such a big decision. If it were me, I’d weigh up how I’d feel either way . missing this IVF window or going ahead and managing any possible worries while away and go with what feels most right for my peace of mind.

I would go for it!! If it works then it will be an amazing holiday to celebrate. If it doesnt work then it will be an amazing holiday to de-stress.