Any advice for stimulation period before egg retrieval ?

mskeenan · December 2015

Hi ladies ! I am starting my ivf cycle this month . I start my meds tomorrow and am having my egg retrieval tentatively on January 8. We are planning for a frozen transfer in March . I was just wondering if anyone has advice for the days leading up to the retrieval while doing all the meds ? Should I exercise ? Should I avoid alcohol ? Avoid people (haha !) My doc is very lax and says I should be able to do anything I normally would but I'm just curious what yalls experience has been ? I am doing acupuncture to keep my anxiety down but I'm just still freaking out !!!

Piperella · December 2015

Hi @mskeenan! I stayed pretty normal, but the 3-4 days before the retrieval I felt like a turkey I was so bloated and ugh feeling. You may or may not be able to feel your ovaries swell due to the number of follicles being produced. I couldn't feel them, but certainly felt like it was heavier down there due to the extra fluid. All REs are different, but in my IVF paperwork, I'm not allowed any alcohol the month leading up to the retrieval. They actually said hubby should not either (and he only had two in the month beforehand). Whatever my RE says, and he has been proven successful, so I didn't question it. I'm not sure about the exercise, but I'd probably recommend slowing it down a little right before the retrieval.

khochanadel · December 2015

Depending on how well you stimulate, you may not be able to do much exercise beyond walking. I got extremely sick due to overstimulation and had to get meds to stop puking, meds to stop pain, and meds to sleep. Not ideal for sure.

I didn't have alcohol restrictions but also didn't feel like drinking when I was hauling a couple ovaries the size of oranges around.

KLake42 · December 2015

I haven't experienced this yet (starting in a few days), but I understand that you should be moderate with exercise. Too vigorous a workout, and you might hurt your swollen ovaries. But mild exercise should be good.

I'm avoiding alcohol because it can have a positive impact on success rates, per the book "It Starts With an Egg", which my RE loaned to me. I'm also avoiding caffeine, have been for months.

MelD17011 · January 2016

wondering if you found any tricks that helped. Been on meds for 3 days and feeling fine so far. I stopped drinking alcohol and started drinking more water than I normally would to say hydrated. I haven't been able to give up a cup of coffee in the am. Not sure what impacts caffeine has.

caitiemae · January 2016

My nurse said no alcohol once I started injections. Otherwise, I think everything else was pretty normal. You'll definitely want to make sure you stay hydrated. I've read avocados and other foods w monounsaturated fats are good for your eggs. Odds are an avocado isn't going to make or break your IVF success rates, but why not enjoy some extra guac

. And I agree w what the others say about exercise- probably not something you'll want to do while your ovaries are filled w marbles. Just relax and take care of yourself

@MeID17001 My RE wasn't concerned about me having a cup or two of coffee a day. I think they might have told me to try to limit it once I had the embryo transfer. I think caffeine is only an issue if you're downing tons (like 6+ cups) per day.

And when you do have your transfer, try to just chill and watch some funny movies- there's actually been a study showing laughing afterwards can improve your chances.

Best of luck to you all!!

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