Recovery After ER

gsancho · June 2014

Hello! I know it's been asked before, but I haven't seen a post asking this in a while and I can't remember what was said in the past. How long did it take for you to be able to move around and function alright after ER? If you were doing an FET, how long before you indulged in a drink or pigged out on junk food? I know it can vary depending on how many they take out and how you respond to anesthesia, but I'm curious to know your experiences.

They think ER will be Friday, but I got invited to a big work party Saturday. At first I was thinking I'd have to skip if ER was Saturday or Sunday, but I'm wondering if I can try to make it if ER is Friday. I'm not the most extroverted person and the party is with a lot of mid to higher level people, so it would be a good opportunity since I'm working on getting a raise/promotion - I don't want to be the dorky quiet girl all the time Maybe I can hang out by the food, chit chat for an hour or two and then head home?

BellaLux · June 2014

I think everyone responds differently. My first IVF ER was painful, I had a lot of gas/bloat pain for a good 2-3 days after. I remember the day of and after being particularly hard.

Now for this cycle, I was fine, no pain. I was fatigued from the anesthesia/pain meds for about 2 days, but that's it. I only took the pain meds once

sweetpotato123 · June 2014

I just had my first ER Saturday and am still quite miserable. I had a ton of eggs, though, so I was told the more you have the longer it takes. Definitely ready to start feeling better! Good luck!

Hernsy · June 2014

I was fine the day after. You'll have to see how you feel but good luck!!

Carol77B · June 2014

We went out to eat (my favorite Mexican food chain is near the center) directly after ER, both times (then I went home a slept for a couple of hours), and I felt okay the day after, though I had more ovary pain with the last one (the nurse suggested that they probably "dug around a lot" trying to get at the eggs, since they got so few). My main complaint was the constipation, which I'm sure is from the pain meds and not the anesthesia, since I didn't have it with my hysteroscopy/endometrial biopsy, which was also under anesthesia.

I don't think you are supposed to drink while taking the pain meds, though...so if you aren't in a lot of discomfort, and skip the pain meds, I don't see why you wouldn't be able to indulge a little.

I think your plan is a good one- assume you'll be able to go if you take it easy and don't plan to stay very long. But if you don't feel up to it, don't beat yourself up.

Based on my past experience, I would assume I could go- I have a big work meeting the day after my ER (assuming it's Wednesday, like I think it'll be) and I'm not too concerned about it.

Good luck!!!

ExoticAntibiotic · June 2014

I was sore, but would've been fine at a work party for a few hours the day after. Gas-X was crucial in my recovery process; it really cut the gas and bloating down to a bearable level.

Pintobean39 · June 2014

I'm glad you asked this. I'm planning on having ER on Thursday and driving to Savannah 9-10hrs Saturday. Actually my husband is prob doing the driving I'm just going to hang out in the back seat and watch netflix. This is all tentative depending on how I'm feeling.

Looking over my paperwork I don't see anything about pain meds just naproxen. Is it common to take pain med afterwards?

katib77 · June 2014

I was in pain for about 24 hours post ER. I did go to Tar.get 48 hours after ER and joked how worn out I was just from 30 min walking around. I think if it's more than 24 hours after, and you tell yourself you can leave if you feel bad then plan on going. As for eating and drinking - last IVF when we were freeze all awaiting FET, I started eating and imbibing normally probably three or four days post ER. Remember they want you hydrating and eating salty foods to keep off OHSS. So I'm not have more than one or two drinks, and stick to salty or protein foods at the party.

Lady2010 · June 2014

***ticker warning***

As pp have said - each round is different.

Our first IVF was in Dec. ER was on a Friday, and on that Sat night we hosted our annual holiday party (had sent out the date/evite several weeks earlier and hadn't realized the conflict). Since it was before ET I did have 1 glass of wine and surprisingly felt ok. I definitely was a little more run down but made sure I rested Fri and on Sat before the party

Our 2nd IVF was in Feb on a Sunday. I remember being more run down the 2nd time, but they also retrieved 21 eggs vs 15 eggs the 1st round. I am not sure if I would have been up for hosting a party that next day but I would have been ok going to a party.

Definitely play it by ear - I think you plan to just go for a couple hours is a good one. Make sure you hydrate throughout the day and definitely take a nap. And you can of course see how you feel. Maybe you will feel like staying longer, maybe not.

chucktgirl · June 2014

Two days of down time always seemed the right amount to me. But by the evening of the second day, if it's important to you, you should have no problem attending the party. Just take it easy, stay hydrated, and like the other girls noted, be mindful of constipation! Colace is your friend.

AMShark · June 2014

I was pretty well recovered by the day after ER. I don't remember any particular pain, or even bloating. (Though, I have been very bloated from other procedures involving anesthesia).

I would say, rest the day of and recover your fluids. If you can wear flats to the work party, and sit occasionally, you should be in good shape.

But as everyone else said - Listen to your body. Every procedure and everybody is different. You might just not feel up to it when the time comes.

Spring78 · June 2014

I think this depends on so many factors, it is just too hard to say. Hopefully, your experience will be similar to what PP describe. I, however, was not so lucky. I ended up with 31 eggs and some nasty OHSS. Everything hurt for days after ER. I tried going to work for a half day three days later and really regretted it, stayed home until after ET after that. I was pretty much out of commission for a week & did not really start to feel normal for another week after that. Not trying to scare you, but just wanted to give you another perspective. If it looks like you might get a lot of eggs or if your estrogen starts to really climb, you might want to consider not planning on the party. But if you experience goes more like it does the majority of the time, you'll probably be fine. Good luck!

sweetpotato123 · June 2014

Spring78 said:
I think this depends on so many factors, it is just too hard to say. Hopefully, your experience will be similar to what PP describe. I, however, was not so lucky. I ended up with 31 eggs and some nasty OHSS. Everything hurt for days after ER. I tried going to work for a half day three days later and really regretted it, stayed home until after ET after that. I was pretty much out of commission for a week & did not really start to feel normal for another week after that. Not trying to scare you, but just wanted to give you another perspective. If it looks like you might get a lot of eggs or if your estrogen starts to really climb, you might want to consider not planning on the party. But if you experience goes more like it does the majority of the time, you'll probably be fine. Good luck!

Thank you for this. I'm miserable, but peeing frequently. 43 eggs retrieved for me and your story is reassuring that it's normal to still feel awful 2 days post ER.

mrs.willie · June 2014

My best answer is everybody is different. My friends' experiences were that they were crampy day of and ok the next day, back to work, etc. I had mine on a Friday. I was still pretty sore Saturday and Sunday and didn't do much all weekend. I was given Vicodin and took it every 4 hours. You may be ok to swing by the work party Saturday night. I would play it by ear and see if you're up to it. Good luck!

przemosbabe · June 2014

I had mine this morning and I am doing fine. It hurt afterwards but things seem normal now. I have been cleaning and may go out tonight. I hope I haven't spoke too soon!

Justone13 · June 2014

@Carol77B‌ I ate Mexican food both times after too!! Lol. It's all I was craving!

@gsancho‌ It all depends. My first one was a breeze. No pain at all didn't even touch the meds. The second time I was in serous pain. Had to take the meds exactly as directed. Hopefully you don't have any issues. Just remember the STOOL SOFTENER!!! Its totally tmi but trust me on this!! GL!!

scooteriste · June 2014

Each time it's been different for me but it takes me around three days to feel normal with an occasional tylenol or two. This time, I overdid it on the third day with yard work and plans with friends so I paid for it the next day. Just take it easy at the work party, stay hydrated, and you should be fine.

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Recovery After ER

Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motility
IUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFN
IVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!
Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!

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Want a personalized experience?

Recovery After ER

Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motilityIUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFNIVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!

Re: Recovery After ER

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Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motility
IUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFN
IVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!
Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!