How did you manage the full bladder for transfer?

[roamingcat]

Hi all,

I’m due to be starting IVF in June and I’m getting really anxious about one specific part of the process - the full bladder for the embryo transfer! I know it might sound ridiculous but I definitely suffer with bladder anxiety so the thought of needing to have a full bladder whilst they’re prodding and poking down there is a bit scary. I’m going to try and start practicing now to see if it eases my nerves a little so I know I can “hold it” for long enough. How much did you drink before your transfer and how “full” does your bladder really need to be?

If it’s for an ultrasound I age you need to have a really full bladder. I went for one recently and the nurse asked how desperate I was and I said I was nearly bursting. He smiled and said ‘brilliant that’s what we need’ I had to drink a pint of water before arriving. The Dr was happy with that as I had a good full bladder and it was fine as I was able to hold on till after the imaging.

The challenge for me though is I can’t hold on when I’m bursting, particularly not for an embryo transfer which won’t be super quick!

It doesn't need to be bursting full at all.. Just getting there... I went for a wee about an hour before and then just slowly sipped at a bottle of water. I basically got it to the stage where you know you'll have to go in about 15 mins. Not the stage where you have to go right away or you'll wee yourself. Also once you're in there you are very distracted by them talking to you and looking at the screen etc so you forget about it.

I turn up 45 minutes before my transfer and go empty my bladder at the clinic. Then I simply drink 2-3 plastic cups of water from the machine in the waiting area whilst I wait to be called in. They've been happy with that!

I have a transfer on Tuesday. The advice is to empty my bladder completely 90 mins before then drink 500ml

Thank you this is really reassuring ☺️

Thank you - I’ll give this a go as a practice and see what happens!

I definitely had a very full bladder for mine and he said it was the fullest bladder he'd seen in a while and it didn't need to be that full! Also I went for a pregnancy scan (around 14 weeks) and my bladder was so full they actually asked me to go to the toilet because it was making it harder to see things. I'd obviously over thought needing a full bladder and drank too much. I'd imagine as long as you have a drink beforehand and haven't just been to the toilet it'll be fine. They're not always running on time anyway so worst case they just wait a little longer if it's not quite full. I'm sure they'll be very used to people having difficulties with their bladder. Definitely speak to them about it ahead of time so they can support you 😊

It needs to be full but you do t need to be bursting. I just drank water on the way and in the waiting room. I don’t remember feeling like I was busting for the toilet.

My bladder was very full and they actually said it doesn't need to be that full. Next time I'll just have a bottle of water before I go in

Thanks everyone this is all really reassuring. I think I just equate full bladder = bursting to go!

This is similar to me and my consultant told me it was the perfect level, my clinic didnt want me bursting!

You definitely don’t need to be bursting. For my first transfer I was bursting it was very uncomfortable, I had to leave the procedure room for an emergency wee and they were so worried I would wee too much out 😂 The transfer went completely fine in the end but it was unnecessary stress.

I’ve had two transfers since that and not been bursting, just felt vaguely like I need to go. Much more comfortable and the transfers went without a hitch.