Although a few people may experience long-term effects, there is no real evidence that the retrieval process or IVF in particular causes long-term bloating, pain, weight gain, or any changes in menstrual patterns. The site content is for educational & informational purposes with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness or timeliness. I did call my nurse last night because I was so worried with the weight gain and bloating that they were symptoms of OHSS she wanted me to come into the office first thing this morning for an evaluation but I told her I weighed myself this morning and I dropped a few pounds already and the bloating as gone down a considerable amount. Should You Have Sex During IVF? All rights reserved. Victoria has also been using her couple account to educate her followers about how the IVF process works. Want to learn more about IVF treatment and what to expect along the way? Signs include rapid weight gain (over 2 pounds a day) and abdominal bloating, as well as extreme discomfort in your abdomen or extreme nausea/vomiting. The next step in your IVF journey will need your body to be in perfect health condition as you move closer to your transfer date. Please know that as our patient you are ALWAYS welcome to reach out to us with questions or concerns. Mild weight gain. Increase the greens in your diet. High-antioxidant foods have shown to help rid your body of the bad guys that can cause inflammation in your body and affect your fertility. I don't think I necessarily have OHSS (not a severe case anyway) and my nurse agrees. Walker born 2/26/16! When talking with patients who are considering procedures that require egg retrieval, the most common concerns associated with egg retrieval are around the procedure itself and then the storage of eggs afterward. No one can tell how you will react to the drugs until after the procedure so best to have everything organized with a larder stocked with good nutritious foods. 2023 Kofinas Fertility Group. I personally went from retrieval bloat to pregnancy bloat and showing. Both modalities can also benefit your digestion and help to relieve pelvic or abdominal pain you might want support for all of the above post-egg retrieval. =/ seriously yesterday was one day after and I looked 5 months pregnant and gained 5 pounds in water weight I was SO uncomfortable. The egg retrieval is an extremely safe and relatively simple procedure that averages 15 minutes from start to finish. Most patients feel woozy (slightly disoriented) from the anesthesia, and some will experience a sense of fullness or mild menstrual cramp-like discomfort. For me, all three times I had total bloat until my period, then back to normal. You truly feel like family!, Terms & Conditions (We will always call you to make sure you're feeling well after your procedure. The worst part is sleeping! On the flip side, pregnancy clearly causes weight gain, so its important not to confuse the two. For those who are simply freezing their own eggs for future use, they will be safely stored until you need them. Should you be using the eggs from the egg retrieval for IVF, well incubate the eggs to determine which are the healthiest and most viable. I've been drinking plenty of water and eating soup all the things they recommend you to do but still nothing. Ask Nurse Monica. Hi, did you feel like you went back to your usual weight, and your stomach was no longer sticking out like you were 7 months pregnant? While this is an exciting milestone on your IVF journey, its still anxiety-inducing for many. The bloating is a result of your ovaries filling with liquid after the retrieval, and I was told to eat a high sodium, high protein, low carb diet and to drink a lot of electrolytes to prevent my body from holding onto the liquid. Water retention might mean that you see a higher number on the scale around ovulation, but never fear: your weight will return to normal shortly after you ovulate as your body gets rid of this excess water. I had horrible bloating and some pulling, cramping on one side. Thats because they provide sodium and potassium which are being lost in the fluid from your blood leaking out of your capillaries. When To Call Your Doctor About OHSS Symptoms Please know that as our patient you are ALWAYS welcome to reach out to us with questions or concerns. First, lets explore what you can expect on your egg retrieval day. I just wanted to lay down! The cramping and bloating usually lasts for 7-10 days, after which your ovaries should return to their normal size. Hey, First of all I hope you are not too sore after egg retrieval. After the egg retrieval procedure, the most common side effects are constipation, bloating, cramping, spotting, and pain. These things result in a strong potential for weight gain, even if the amount is small. The severe form - which occurs in about 1% of donor cycles and can require hospitalization for monitoring - may be marked by . Keeping in mind that IVF treatment is also very stressful, some women going through it may be prone to overeating or eating to fight stress. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(60131, '57f608cf-1891-4776-ac97-a0fb73e63384', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); While it's extremely rare, OHSS can happen. The discomfort from these procedures may leave you feeling as if your body is working against the IVF process but it is a way your body responds to the drugs, and success is not dependent on the amount of discomfort you feel. It will feel/look so much better once your period arrives. Does IVF itself cause weight gain, and if so, does everyone experience it? You will be asked to check in to our Norwalk office approximately one hour before your scheduled procedure time. In that cause, the bloating would be continuous for a while. However, this is usually a sign of water retention and ovarian hyperstimulation. Brand names include Lupron and Synarel. Manage Settings I love to share my knowledge & experiences with the community. The Instagram star, who has 1.2 million followers, recently posted an image of her bloated stomach following the egg retrieval procedure. If your egg retrieval doesnt happen with your primary doctor, dont worry! My name is Emma, a proud mother of FIVE, aged from 2 to 21. wow thats terrifying! When it comes to how to treat it theres both good and bad news. This encourages some women to rest more and focus on staying stress free and healthy. Your eggs need to go through one final stage before theyre ready to be collected: they need to complete a process of;maturing called meiosis, which in turn;causes ovulation to happen. This is probably the one time I will ever tell a woman to weight herself twice a day. It can take a while for it to go down after the procedure. Are you feeling better now?? Other causes can be due to health conditions like hypothyroidism or PCOS. Please select a reason for escalating this post to the WTE moderators: Connect with our community members by starting a discussion. Mild bloating and cramping are expected but if you notice any signs of OHSS then dont ignore it and contact your doctor, the sooner you recognize these symptoms the quicker you can recover. For most women, the egg retrieval procedure brings only mild pain after it is over. OHSS happens when the ovaries become so swollen. Not only that, but some of the procedures, like the egg retrieval process, can be slightly uncomfortable. Disclaimer: Ill be explaining how we do things here at Illume Fertility. Sending good vibes for a good frostie report! The trigger injection kickstarts this process, and youll need to administer it at a very;specific time usually 36 hours before your appointment for egg retrieval. Thats not to say you wont need monitoring and/or treatment, of course just that itll definitely go away at some point soon. Thats why its important to understand that womens responses to the stimulants and procedures differ. Brand names include Ovitrelle, Pregnyl and Choragon. After speaking with a nurse, we will generally bring you in to perform an ultrasound and bloodwork. While approximately 15% of IVF patients experience mild hyperstimulation symptoms, such as bloating and menstrual-like cramping, most will never suffer from moderate or severe OHSS. I wont send you spam. Your ovaries are being stimulated which can make them swell. Bloating and rapid weight gain are two common symptoms of that. Did your doctor talk to you about OHSS? Mild bloating Weight gain due to fluid Nausea Women with severe OHSS usually have: Vomiting & problem to keep down liquids Significant discomfort from abdominal swelling Can develop shortness of breath During stimulation, it is normal that you experience mild symptoms. I couldn't get air even though I was gasping. And then she had her ovaries and fallopian tubes . Egg retrieval is a massive step toward becoming a mom. Look out for extreme vomiting, Significant swelling to your tummy, severe bloating and weight gain after egg retrieval, and feeling out of breath. In addition, some women eat more or change their eating habits. Pain and bloating are normal. Pregnancy can in fact make your symptoms worsen and last longer so the best option would be for your fertilized embryos to be frozen and delay the transfer date. Salt also makes your body retain water so ensure healthy meals are prepared and stored for post procedure. Weight gain is also normal for some women and is usually caused by water retention or extra fluid in the ovaries. Some women may experience mild nausea due to the anesthesia used during the procedure. After the procedure, you may experience moderate to severe bloating and pain after the egg retrieval process leaving you searching for an answer to how to make bloating go away after egg retrieval. Depending on your experience you could be at risk from Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome or mere gas problems. When suffering from OHSS some women report a significant weight gain. Fennel is an amazing anti bloat vegetable whilst foods like spinach, lime, and apple is natural anti-inflammatories that are great for reducing excess swelling. Most likely, the increase in estrogen creates an environment conducive to weight gain (bloating, fatigue, mood swings) but doesnt directly cause it. Imagine there is a job opening at a company with ONE office available for ONE new employee to sit in. If you feel the bloating or cramping is getting worse rather than better then you could have fallen into the Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome category. As soon as your follicles are in clear view, the doctor will advance a thin needle through your vaginal wall and into the egg follicle. . This is a medical complication that affects approximately 3% (or less) of women undergoing IVF each year. 3/25 will be here before you know it! If your egg retrieval doesnt happen with your primary doctor, know that you are still in great hands and that your doctor will be monitoring your progress remotely and getting updates throughout the day. One option for keeping your weight in check during IVF is to regulate stress with other things besides food. Also, carbonation in soda might increase bloating for most people, so skip it for now. Specifically, though, keep an eye out for: These are all signs that your ovaries are swelling and putting pressure on your diaphragm. You will be asked to check in to our Norwalk office approximately one hour before your scheduled procedure time. With severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, you might have: Rapid weight gain more than 2.2 pounds (1 kilogram) in 24 hours Severe abdominal pain Severe, persistent nausea and vomiting Blood clots Decreased urination Shortness of breath Tight or enlarged abdomen When to see a doctor A womans medical history, current lifestyle, and general health all contribute to how much weight she may gain, if any. The condition can be quite serious. Congratulations, and good luck with your next steps! Specifically, though, keep an eye out for vomiting, shortness of breath, >1lb weight gain in 24 hours, and decreased urine output. In its basic form, its a simple process. Symptoms typically last a week and include mild abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. We respect everyones right to express their thoughts and opinions as long as they remain respectful of other community members, and meet What to Expects Terms of Use. A Group Leader is a What to Expect community member who has been selected by our staff to help maintain a positive, supportive tone within a group. Why 36 hours? I notified my nurse because I was worried about OHSS even though I didn't have that many follicles, and she said it was all normal. Especially after transfer, women should not confuse the normal side effects of implantation and early pregnancy with IVF treatment. There is no test to see if you are at a higher risk of developing OHSS but ensuring your diary is cleared and you have set aside time for good old-fashioned rest is always the best protocol. FX. Women tend to experience IVF weight gain in one of two ways, and possibly both ways. Your post will be hidden and deleted by moderators. Unfortunately, these drugs can have the adverse effect of bloating. I didnt lose my bloat until after I got my period, then I finally felt normal again! That may indicate OHSS or another serious condition. The process involves stimulating the ovaries, retrieving eggs, fertilizing eggs, and implanting embryos or blastocysts. This could be caused by hormone treatments, or it could be situational. Women are often shocked at how much worse they feel after the retrieval than before. Whatever your side effects, we will help you manage them until they subside, so you can focus on the next big milestone of IVF treatment: your embryo transfer. As stated earlier, this weight gain isnt caused by the IVF procedures. Mild symptoms of OHSS can be anything from mild bloat, weight gain due to water retention, and nausea. So, dont be surprised if your specific results with it vary from others. Our doctors rotate through the operating room, covering all seven days of the week, so you may or may not see your primary doctor on egg retrieval day. OHSS can occur from taking too much fertility medication, so be sure to maintain the correct dosage and keep in touch with your doctor at all times. With that being said please keep an eye on yourself for Ovarianhyperstimulation. Although one of her friends whod also been through IVF had warned her that she might bloat after the egg retrieval, Victoria said she had no idea it would be so extreme. We will ask that you regularly update us and notify us immediately if your symptoms change. So, it was sofa city for me that first night. Second, avoid or limit caffeine and soda, always, but especially right now. Cryostorage is the standard way of freezing eggs. Luckily, it is rare for an OHSS case to catch us off guard. While bloating is a common side effect of IVF treatment, weight gain varies. This is what happens during OHSS. familyweal.com is a participant of Amazon Associates Program. There are two main types of trigger injection: Read about the IVF process from start to finish if you want to learn more about why different drugs are used for different protocols. Unsubscribe at any time. Your body has to have time to recover before your all important transfer date! My ER was on Monday (21 eggs retrieved) and I still don't feel great. Preparing for Egg Retrieval with Injections. Bloating eventually reduces with rest, cold compresses, or time. I find that its easier to maintain this position on the couch. Concerning symptoms and ones where we would definitely want to hear from you are listed above under the OHSS symptoms. In order to decrease the amount of fluid that is collecting in your belly, we will ask you to avoid drinking large quantities of water/clear fluids, and instead stick with thick liquids (think: milkshakes and V8 juice) that you cant see through. For the procedure, women are usually sedated but it can prove to be fairly painful post-procedure. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can provide excellent relief from temporary bloating after egg retrieval. Some women have no pain and can go to work the next day with minimal discomfort, and other women are bedridden for a few days., Read Also: How Much Bone Broth To Drink For Leaky Gut. Were here to guide you every step of the way! Its actually caused by the extra hormones women take to ensure a successful IVF cycle. These capillaries need to be made super quickly, and as a result, they wouldnt even pass the requirements of a corrupt building official in Turkmenistan: theyre pretty;darn leaky. Although cozy (and maybe with a small amount of discomfort), we are able to fit all 12 employees in to the one office, and all works out well. You wont be able to feel or remember anything that happens during the procedure. Did anyone start to feel LESS pressure/fullness after trigger? Also Check: Does Alka Seltzer Help With Bloating. This step is identical to what you've experienced during all those early morning monitoring appointments. This condition causes abdominal pain as the ovaries swell. The actual egg retrieval procedure is a short, outpatient surgical procedure, as described above. This means that if you're considering freezing your eggs before you begin your injections, its beneficial to: There are also external factors that can affect the quality of your eggs, such as air quality. The good news is that IVF weight gain is normal; its okay to experience it and to even feel a bit badly about it. Bloating After Egg Retrieval For the same reason cramping occurs after egg retrieval and during IVF, bloating may happen as well. Thanks Ladies! ; Concerning symptoms and ones where we would definitely want to hear from you are listed above under the OHSS symptoms.