Embryo Transfer-- that thing about a full bladder....

KLake42

Okay, so I really, really hate the feeling of a full bladder when I don't have a way to get to a bathroom.  It's the worst, and it's the thing I'm most worried about when it comes to an upcoming transfer (fresh transfer, but my wife is making the eggs).

How long after the transfer do you have to wait to pee?  If you have to lie there, do they bring a bedpan?  Or do you just lie there and try to relax with a full bladder?  Or do you get up, pee, and lie back down?

How long did you sit around needing to pee before the transfer?

I'm the kind of person who can really handle any discomfort if I know what to expect, but I really want to narrow this down (I know, my experience may be completely different from yours, but it would at least help to have something tangible to think about).  So please, what was your experience?

Aera11

@KLake42 I laid there for about 25-30 minutes after my transfer, peed & then went home.  They definitely had padding there, probably in case I couldn't hold it any longer but it wasn't as bad as my trial transfer.  I didn't drink enough water for that because I hate that full bladder feeling too and then I had to drink an additional 24oz there.  Just try to think of something else while you're laying there.  I had my husband there and we were just talking so he could keep me distracted.  Good luck with your transfer!! When is it?

LeFemmeViolette

I would call ahead and check with the doctor's office. I've had 3 transfers, and one of them they were running behind so I had to hold it longer than comfortable. So maybe just check with them to make sure the don't foresee any delays.

Otherwise, the transfer itself is pretty quick, and you can pee right after. : )

prudence9-2

I was told to pee an hour before and then start drinking. After the transfer they said I can go to pee immediately. But I managed to stay for 3 full minutes and then I got up, went to pee and left. 

liljoy-2

I started drinking 45 min before, and drank 750ml, it was just the right amount and timing. They said the bladder was nice, although it got a little uncomfortable for me during the procedure, especially with the US wand pushing gently on my belly. But you get distracted watching the transfer on the monitor, so it's all good. I got up to pee and went home immediately after, no waiting. They said newer studies don't support the lying down theory, in fact blood flow is indicated. But every clinic is different in this aspect, so better to ask for specific instructions beforehand. 

dragonette505

I was told not to worry about having a full bladder, but to just not pee once I arrived. I had to lay for 5 mins then I could pee and go.

KLake42

Thanks y'all!  That makes it sound a lot more manageable.

@Aera11 I'm not sure yet when the transfer will be.  The tentative retrieval will be 4/12-4/14, so we're looking at 3-5 days after that vague timeframe.

QsMadd

They made me lie flat for an hour after the transfer but after about 20-30 minutes, I told them to bring me a bed pan. I should've asked for it sooner! No shame in having to pee!

mc4dj13

I don't mean to go off topic - this has been super helpful for my own upcoming transfer - but what is a trial transfer? I have only had a mock cycle. Neither my doctor nor my RN have mentioned it to me, so I am assuming my clinic does not do them. Was it requirement for any  of you ladies?

Aera11

@mc4dj13 my RE did a trial transfer so they would know how far to insert the catheter at the time of the real transfer.  She likes to do it because every woman's uterus is different.

mc4dj13

@Aera11

Thank you so much, makes perfect sense!

LoveDontCostAThing

They let me pee 5 minutes after transfer!

JESSABER0414

I've mentioned this before but my clinic places a stitch in my cervix during the last us with lining check then uses it to guide the catheter in. No full bladder, no us needed in the transfer. And it worked!

desperatemom

I had the worst experience ever with full bladder, seriously the pain from all the shots is one thing but full bladder was on another level. My RE wants a absolute full bladder, I drank about a litre inside and apparently it still wasn't enough. It was a ultrasound guided transfer and according to her if the bladder is full she is able to see the uterus perfectly. 
This was the most embarrassing moment, they had to bring in a pan and then I was relaxing for a while before I went back home.
but this is just me, I maybe have a small bladder or something.

gwinnyblack

Hello!
I was laying down with the full bladder for 2 hours straight after the embryo transfer, it felt like hell, I am not gonna lie. certainly it was not the most pleasant experience I had in my life. but time passed quicker than I expected though.
well, as I was told not every clinic or fertility center has this requirement and some even allow patients to go to the bathroom right after the ET. it is due to those procedures like embryo glue they perform in order to boost the chances of embryos to stick. this is amazing, but I am not sure this is that common even now. I am sure that there are old schooled drs that prefer to advise laying down for 2 hours with the full bladder even if  they have performed some new procedures. 
I know  that it is  a bit confusing.but you are not going to relax that much though with a full bladder... 

KLake42

It ended up not being that bad.  I arrived one hour before the scheduled ET, emptied my bladder, and then started drinking water.  They kept checking on me.  As soon as I felt like I would really like to go pee now, they pulled me into the room and ran an external ultrasound to check the size of my bladder.  It seemed right, so they went ahead and did the transfer a little early, so I wouldn't have to sit around with a full bladder.  I barely felt the bladder, since the speculum was so uncomfortable. 

I had about ten minutes of real discomfort, and then it was done!  I laid there for five minutes, and with the relief of *not* having the speculum in there was so good, I wasn't bothered by the bladder.  Then I got dressed and went home.

desperatemom

Yayyyy for a comfortable ET, fx for a sticky bfp!!!