Crazy to travel during 2WW?

AMShark · August 2014

I had my ET yesterday, so I'm now 1dp5dt. My beta was scheculed for 8/20, but this morning, I got a last minute request from work to fly to Amsterdam next week, (departing 8/19 evening, returning 8/25 early afternoon).

I called my RE's office first to see if there was any physical reason for me not to travel. The nurse double checked with the RE, and said I can just move my beta to 8/19, and it should be ok to be gone until 8/25. So, now I've booked the trip, and I'm starting to second guess myself. Was this a bad idea? If this is anything like my last cycle and I get a BFP on 8/19, then I think there might be some monitoring appointments that I'm missing, including additional beta tests to see if numbers are going up. Of course, I could get a BFN, and it would just be over at that point, and the worrying would be for naught.

Am I crazy to think that flying to Amsterdam right now is no big deal? I booked my flight 2 hours ago, so I guess I still have 22 hours to cancel without penalty, but I'd also have to go back to my bosses and explain that I've changed my mind.

I guess, really, the thing that bothers me is the idea of having another m/c, and not knowing if I caused this one.

So, right, am I crazy to think this will be fine?

jencity9 · August 2014

Omg that is a tough decision! I would think overall it would be fine.. and if you needed a second beta could you just do it when you get back? But I would probably have a lot of anxiety about it too and would spend my travels just wanting to come back. Any possible way the work can be postponed a week??

gnl42 · August 2014

For me, it would be hard to get that first beta result the day before the trip. If it was negative, I would be devastated and not in a good place to prepare for a work trip. If it was positive, it would be really hard to wait until 8/25 for another blood draw to see what was going on. I would have major anxiety and I'm not a very patient person. I probably wouldn't go unless the trip was very important and could not be rescheduled.

However, I definitely agree that the flight/trip would not cause a m/c. It is more about your sanity. It's not crazy to go if you think you can handle it. You know yourself best.

Aimothy · August 2014

Loss Mentioned:

I flew to Vegas during the 2WW of my last IVF cycle. I had tested prior to leaving and knew there was a line, but my first beta was not until the day after I returned. I just skipped going through the xray machines, and was hand patted down. The first TSA agent told me the machines were safe but then quietly whispered that she told her newly pregnant daughter to skip them as well.

I sometimes let my brain wander to the thought that flying caused my miscarriage. But then I quickly remind myself that there are ladies that travel for IVF cycles, so it can't be all that bad. That said, I'd fly again during a 2WW if the opportunity arose.

If you can handle not having any more beta draws after the first positive, I would definitely go.

pblge · August 2014

There are a lot of different kinds of travel. If this was going to be stress-inducing, sleep deprived travel, I probably wouldn't go because of what you expressed:
"I guess, really, the thing that bothers me is the idea of having another m/c, and not knowing if I caused this one."
You really don't want to do anything you'd regret if that situation arose. There's no real reason that air travel would cause a m/c, but major stress, exhaustion, and odd illnesses that you might encounter in germ-infested airports **potentially** could.

As PP said, if this ends up being BFN, will you be able to emotionally handle the trip? Similarly, I spent most of the 36 hours after my recent first beta in tears because I thought it was a chemical pregnancy. No way would I have been fit for a business trip then.

Personally, I probably wouldn't go, but that's just my cowardly opinion. On the other hand, I've never been to Amsterdam and that sounds AWESOME.

AMShark · August 2014

Thanks for the feedback, everyone.

For this trip, I would be filling in for someone from my old department. (Filling in for someone who, oh irony of ironies, is pregnant, and who's doctor has advised that she should not fly internationally at this stage). Anyway, as a fill-in, I would be playing a supporting role, and not ultimately responsible for any of this conference.

It's also not like when I travel for my current department, where I have can have meetings going from 6:00 am - 11:00 pm. I'll be working from 7:00 am - 5:00 pm - and at 5 pm each day I'll be done - completely done... which is sort of amazing.

I figure I still have until tomorrow morning to cancel - so that makes me feel better. @Aimothy - I completely plan on waiting for the pat down - even though the mayo clinic's web site says that the xray machines are probably safe for PG women... I think the extra time in line is worth it.

Aimothy · August 2014

AMShark said:

@Aimothy - I completely plan on waiting for the pat down - even though the mayo clinic's web site says that the xray machines are probably safe for PG women... I think the extra time in line is worth it.

I didn't have to wait too long in for my pat down. Hopefully, the same will be true for you!

Sigh202 · August 2014

I say go. During our IF journey, I've missed out on way too many things because of the what ifs. If you have a BFN, it will be a good distraction. If you hopefully get a BFP, you'll still need a distraction from the next beta.

Canuck13 · August 2014

I'd say go as well....I just really don't think the trip will alter the outcome of your IVF, good or bad...but like the pp mentioned, I'd be much more annoyed if I missed out on the opportunity (esp if it is bfn) because of Infertlity.

daydreamernyc · August 2014

I vote for going. It doesn't sound like a stressful trip. Plus, would you be flying on your own there? It's a long flight, so it might be good time to reflect on the results of your beta. Great you-time. Fx that it's great news.

AMShark · August 2014

Thanks everyone. I'm feeling more at ease now about going on this trip.

I do think the distraction could be good either way.

swyatt2014 · August 2014

Have a great trip!!!

LO95 · August 2014

Yeah, I agree about going. I don't know many people who have the chance to go to Amsterdam. Instead of looking at it like, "What if it's a BFN and I'm miserable?" I almost would be tempted to think, "What if it's BFN and I also DON'T go on this cool trip?" But fingers crossed it'll be blissful BFP!

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