What do you do after transfer?

There seems to be a lot of IVF websites out there (US ones) that suggest bed rest the day of transfer then only very mild activity for the week following. Is this really the case? Does it give the embryo a better chance of sticking?

What do you do?

hi sarah
i think it depends on how you feel after your ET and what your clinic recommends.

i have felt fine after the last two and because it was such a special experience, really really the best bit of the whole cycle for us (so far at least ;) ) DH and I have gone out for a cosy lunch nearby to discuss how amazing it was and then either go to a movie if i was up to it or a DVD at home resting up.

i take the day off but returned to work the next day.

dusty

I took the day of transfer off and spent the day with DH. We went out for lunch, did some shopping, attempted to see a movie but it finished too late. I had an acupuncture session that evening and returned to normal work duties the following day. Teaching, so constantly on my feet and on the move... None of that stopped my embryo from sticking.

I would expect that we will do similar for our next transfer as well. I do recall that I had no worries standing up after the transfer, but I do recall panicking the first time I went to the toilet for fear that my embryo would fall out!

BW

Before I knew when my transfer was going to be, I had planned a hiking holiday with a girlfriend where I would be carrying a 30kg backpacks for days on end. After we got the date for the transfer, I asked my OB about the hiking/backpack carrying, and he said that it was fine to still do it. But I ended up cancelling the trip as I just didn't feel comfortable about it. As it turned out, since I didn't go on holidays I stayed at work, and ended up moving offices and carrying hugely heavy boxes for a few days. My embies didn't stick, and though it's unlikey to have been caused by the heavy lifting, I will never know for certain. I wish I had taken a few days off, read a few books, seen a few movies, had lunch with friends ... kept myself occupied and relaxed, but not doing any strenuous activity.

i had a relaxing day with DH on the day of my transfer. its nice to make it a memorable day. the nurses recommend just living life as per normal because even in natural conception you dont know you are pregnant for a few weeks. obviously sky diving and bungee jumping should be scrubbed off the list, but i was even told to go to my 'PINK' concert the following night.

good luck and take care.

Sarah,

From the 3 transfers I had, the first 2 I carried on as normal - and we had a house inspection the next day after one of them I was madly vacuuming, cleaning bathrooms etc. (Embies didn't take)

The last one, I had acupuncture straight afterwards and then was strictly told by my NP NOT to do anything at least for the rest of the day, if not for a few days.

I went to the Billy Joel concert in the pm of the day after, (tickets had been bought 8 months beforehand!) - which my clinic was a little concerned about (dancing, being too hot etc) - But I assured them I would be sitting, so all would be ok.

When we got there I had one of the crew come up to me while I was waiting for my GF to go to the toilet, and he gave me seats in row AA - seats 1 and 2!!!!!!!!

Needless to say I did not sit down all night - and even danced with Billy himself at one point (an amazing experience but getting a little off track here! :rolleyes:).

I'm like Cherie - my embies didn't stick, and I do have to ask myself if the Billy Joel concert was the reason - I was pretty active & it was incredibly hot right next to the stage.

My NP & the clinic almost killed me when I told them what happened!

Next time (if there is a next time for IVF - I'm hoping I won't need too!!!), I will stay as relaxed and rested as I can.. at least for the first 2 or 3 days afterwards.

Hope all of my rambling helped!!!!

Cool thanks guys. Aaron is off tomorrow so we'll just chill out for the afternoon, getting my groceries this afternoon so I don't need to tomorrow as well ;) Then Tuesday is our regular play date so I'll organise us to go to a play centre so I can sit back & watch rather than do any lifting onto swings etc.

I think because you *know* there is a good chance of being pregnant it's ard to act as per normal!

Hi Sarah,
I have always had the day off when transferring, but went back to work the next day. As my FS said to me which is true when you think about it - If you are trying to have a baby naturally you have no idea if it worked or not and people do not lay in bed for a day or two so he was basicaly saying to me that it would make no difference laying around or not, makes sense i guess but i just always say do what you feel comfortable with and with me i took the day off and played lady muck! Good luck with it all Sarah:bluedust: to you

Our little embryo has been transferred so it's TWW time for me!!

I figured the same Lissie, that in a natural cycle you wouldn't be resting or doing things any different, so why now?!

sending you lots of babydust

Sarah,

I've probably done it all bar running a marathon, from one extreme of bed rest for two weeks to mild activity to my last cycle, where I went about business as normal, and yes that even meant lugging my groceries out of the car on my own. My last cycle was the one that worked, too, as you know, so I do honestly believe that it doesn't make a hell of a lot of difference in the bigger scheme of things. But personally I probably would be erring on the side of caution and allowing Aaron to pamper you and spoil you during the TWW.

You are not allowed to do any housework! For at least a week... Seriously, that's what I was told. DH was sceptical, however.
Good luck!

Hi Sarah

With my first cycle i carried on as per normal had the day off from work but went to uni that night and then grocery shopping and got in huge trouble from DH for lifting a 12kg bag of dog food!! Then with the second cycle i was told don't lift anything heavier than 2kg and dont lift my hands above my head and rest rest rest.... and well neither worked. So i guess you just do whatever you feel comfortable and don't push yourself. :)

For my first cycle I had the day off work then back at work the next day as normal

My second cycle which was successful (Now have 17 month old twin boys) I layed in bed for the day relaxing reading a book and watching dvd's. Then we went away for 5 days to a friends holiday house and just relaxed, walked on the beach, read etc. Don't know if it was the relaxing and no walking up and down stairs as I would have at home but I plan to do the same thing if we do another cycle. Currently thinking about a frozen cycle soon.

Sarah, hope all went well with your transfer!!

I had mine done on a day I don't work so DH just took me to acupuncture straight after my transfer, then we came home and I just kinda pottered around for the rest of the day. I went back to work the next day and carried on as normal. This is what the clinic and my FS recommended and I don't think I could have lazed around for 2 weeks thinking of nothing else! It would have made it so much harder mentally I think.

Having said that, I wouldn't have gone to the gym or done anything overly strenuous. And there was definately no DTD in our house for those two weeks (or for many weeks to follow actually! LOL!)

Good luck sweetie, I hope the tww isn't doing your head in!

We had the transfer & I came home & we watched DVDs for the afternoon. Other than that same as normal here, although I did refuse to lift anything at work on Friday / Saturday. I'm just basically acting as though I'm pregnant JIC.

I'm another who's had all different situations at each transfer, 2 worked (but later m/c), 2 didn't.

Generally I just take it easy for the day after transfer and go back to normal the next day :)

Good luck Sarah! Hope this one is successful for you!

Hi,
With my first transfer I was extremely emotional so I went to bed and cried for a bit and then had a sleep...felt hugely better after. Next day I took it easy and then went back to work as normal although only part time.At about 10 weeks I had spotting and took a couple of days off but felt pressure to go back even though I didn't really feel up to it.Anyway that same day at work had a huge bleed:cry: was so bad thought i had MC. Found out my placenta had come away from uterus wall a little but baby still thriving away.Had a weeks bedrest and more progesterone and decided to resign from work...just didn't want to take any chances. Gave birth to my now 5 year old gorgeous daughter.:D
I am now day 3 post FET transfer...have been really taking it easy just light housework but no vacuuming or heavy lifting. I go back to work 2moro for 2 full days and am a bit apprehensive but will continue to take it easy....no lifting! Am on extra progesterone this time so hope to have no problems.
I think you should always trust your instincts but try to live a normal life too.
Best of luck,
Claire

Well for my first tranfser I was actually in the middle of a course and toook the morning off to get the transfer and then had a rest at home for an home then went to the course. I was actually abit naughty that first attempt - sleep all day the day of the pick-up but that the night I went and saw Billy Crystal and laughed my butt off. He was funny but I am pretty sure I was still alittle high!! Went to school the next day and then transfer the next day. I took one day off to catch up with myself and I got up the duff the but lost it a few weeks later.

The second one - I did nothing for a week because the transfer had hurt and I was in alot of pain. Needless to say it didn't work at all - didn't even take.

This one - I have tried to just be normal and do what I would normally do. I had acupunture and went shopping after my transfer, rested that night and the next day and this week I have just tried not to be too precious about my body and keep the energy flowing around and still to my normal routine but being aware that I really shouldn't be running a marathon.

Does lifting really make a huge difference can I ask? Only because Tuesday I had to move a few boxes which were alittle heavy - I did it as gently as I could and I felt OK doing it but I did question myself!

I'm not sure that it does make that much of a difference, after all you can lift things in early pregnancy as long as you're careful. The reason I don't is that I work at the same place as my mum & she's totally paranoid so told *everyone* if she heard I was lifting boxes there'd be hell to pay ROFL!

Your mum sounds wonderful! It makes sense not to lift anything. I was told not to be silly and lift anything too heavy as well but I just wondered because sometimes you just can't avoid it.

hi there ladies,
I am going into my 3rd Natural transfer soon, and just don't know what to think or do sometimes. My FS says to take it easy the first day, and then back to normal after that. He knows my 'normal' is a lifestyle of a triathlete - daily running, cycling and swimming - just keep it under 140bpm he says. Most of the time i believe that my daily sport activities are fine - afterall, I conceived my son as I was training for a full marathon - running 100km a week and racing too!

But is IVF transfer more delicate ? I am starting to think maybe it is different from natually concieving.....I will certainly take it easy the first day. I am also thinking of only walking and light swimming for the 4 days after that........as I was told implantation takes place 3-4 days after transfer...

It is confusing and frustrating for all of us I know.... good luck to you all - in the end, that little embie has to be a strong one.

I assume that a transfer is more delicate because of the way it is done but in the end if it is going to stay then it will won't it? I have had a full on day at work today running around and I am all sore in my back and hips but I don't know if that is cause I am holding myself differently subconsciously or what. I am on my five day after transfer and I am going to be having a very easy night tonite!

Such a good thread Sarah, thanks for asking this. Lucia, I hope you are having a quiet night after your busy day. I asked my FS AGAIN about this question of what to do/not to do when I was getting my last transfer. I mentioned that I was going to swim squad training that night and he said, 'don't go tonight, go tomorrow.......take it easy today'. Ok, so I did. But he also said that there is NO research done about exercise/sport and IVF........plenty on pregnancy and exercise.......but none on this question.

Lifting heavy stuff - yeah, I probably wouldn't do this either.....and avoid stressful days at work for sure if you can!!
Good luck everyone again!!

Yes I did take it very easy last night - went home cooked a healthy dinner and went to bed really early. Was so tired this morning when I woke up but I feel OK now no symptoms at all this morning.

You have wonder how much all the worry is necessary and if really makes that much difference. I suppose it does though just because of the sheer fact that we have to even go thru what we have to. A person who concieves naturally doesn't face this kind of worry.

Hope everyone is well today!