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Understanding Fertility Treatment Acronyms: Your Essential Guide
You shouldn't have to put your entire life on hold to have a baby. As summer approaches, and more of your friends and family go on vacation, take a look at these tips below from Prima's fertility doula, Christie Dabney, so you can continue to enjoy your life during your fertility journey.
1. Keep your provider in the loop about your travel plans
Your Reproductive Endocrinologist understands you are a person outside of their office! Let them know about your travel plans in advance, and they can help you plan your treatment around your trip. Your fertility clinic may need to see you in person for monitoring during certain portions of your treatment, but you may have more flexibility during other stages of your treatment. Your doctor will also give you some insight into how long you can anticipate your recovery taking, as well as any side effects you might be more susceptible to.
2. Schedule your travel days around the stimulation phase of your cycle
It's best to avoid traveling during the 8 to 14 day period during which you are being injected with stimulation medications. Try to plan your vacation before day five of your medication cycle, which is when you are likely to start your injections, or after your egg retrieval.
3. Bring any insulation your medications need
It's important to make sure that you keep any medications you need at the right temperature. You can bring insulated bags to protect your medication from temperature changes, as well as frozen ice packs when necessary. Try to find a bag with a sturdy case to protect your medication from any potential jostling and bumps along your travels. You can also bring a note from your doctor explaining the need for your medication to be kept insulated for airport security. Check out our fertility medications guide here to keep track of which of your medications need to be kept at a cool temperature.
4. Stay hydrated
A common side effect of IVF is bloating and fluid retention. Staying hydrated will help you feel more comfortable during travel and fertility treatment. Bringing a reusable water bottle and electrolytes to make it easier to keep track of your water consumption while in transit. Eating water-dense fruits and vegetables like cantaloupe, watermelon, pineapple, and lettuce can also help. Try to be mindful of your caffeine and alcohol intake, too- these liquids can have a dehydrating effect on your body.
5. Plan for enough time to recover from your retrieval
Sometimes patients experience side effects such as bloating, cramping, and nausea after their egg retrieval. In rare cases (less than 3%), patients may go through Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome, also known as OHSS. Patients experiencing OHSS will feel more severe abdominal pain and bloating, and will need a slightly longer recovery period. Most doctors will recommend you wait at least 24 hours until after your egg retrieval to go on any travel plans, and it might be helpful to book flexible arrangements so that you can adjust your travel schedule based on how you are recovering.
To us, you're more than just a number on a script. You're a real person, with vacations and travel plans that we want to help make possible while trying to conceive. If you have any more questions about traveling with your medications, give our pharmacy team a text or call.
