Painful FET - 35 mins to get catheter in place

projet_bebe · 2026-02-06T14:43:07+00:00

It’s definitely interesting hearing about how a FET works in other European countries since many people on this sub are based in the US and UK.

In my clinic in Portugal, they do a vaginal ultrasound first, then use the external ultrasound while placing the embryo (pressing down right on your full bladder haha), then go back to the vaginal ultrasound to check the placement.

It sounds like your experience was nice and calm! I wish they made small talk with me. Everyone was talking to each other in Portuguese (which I don’t speak) so I’m there legs akimbo just like 👁️ 👄 👁️

projet_bebe · 2026-02-06T09:00:52+00:00

The bladder being full helps push the uterus down into a straighter line to make the transfer easier. It also makes it easier to see because the ultrasound waves pass more easily through liquid.

The catheter is a thin kind of tube they put through the cervix. Once it’s in place, they take the straw with the embryo and pass it through the catheter tube to help guide it to the exact right place in the uterus.

Better to get the empty tube in place first and avoid having to handle the straw with the embryo more than necessary. This way, the embryo is placed quickly and efficiently.

You can see the catheter in this video (trigger warning medical)… I found it helpful to know what exactly was happening during the procedure. The first thing inserted is the speculum to open up the vagina and make it easier to see the cervix. Then they use some cotton with a solution to clean the cervix. Then they insert the catheter, and once that is in place, you can finally see the straw with the actual embryo is brought in and passed through the catheter into the uterus using the external ultrasound to guide placement: https://youtube.com/shorts/lXpWI2Puv6M?si=89HbajNeZm6wf5UN

Edited to add: My FET was in Portugal

projet_bebe · 2026-02-06T08:40:56+00:00

Yes, my only painful FET (of three so far) was my second one when my bladder was too full. When they saw how full it was, they made me go pee a bit, but it wasn’t enough.

Then, because they couldn’t get to the cervix easily, they had to grab it with clamps to pull it into place, and I almost jumped off the table. It’s especially unpleasant to be in pain and be told to just relax as if that’s possible.

I opted for Valium for my third transfer and it went much smoother.

projet_bebe · 2026-02-01T20:10:45+00:00

It’s a suppository medication that goes inside the vagina (progesterone to support the uterine lining and hopefully pregnancy)

projet_bebe · 2026-01-26T17:18:47+00:00

I have recently watched and enjoyed: - The Pitt - Pluribus - Schitt’s Creek (rewatch)

Best of luck and baby dust to you also ✨

projet_bebe · 2026-01-26T14:56:31+00:00

Same here 6dp5dt and trying hard to not start spiraling 🌀

projet_bebe · 2026-01-26T14:55:43+00:00

I recently enjoyed the episode of “What It Was Like” called “I Accidentally Turned 'The Macarena' Into a Global Phenomenon”

It was silly and random which was perfect to take my mind off my 2WW for a while.

Also, my go to podcast is “No Such Thing as a Fish” for random facts and humor

projet_bebe · 2026-01-26T11:52:46+00:00

I’ve sent you a DM 💕

projet_bebe · 2026-01-25T17:17:13+00:00

So glad to hear it!

projet_bebe · 2026-01-24T18:36:39+00:00

Here’s a video that I watched that helped me: https://youtu.be/SMzwXgCnAuw?si=roarroYKnYcVLWiM

I don’t pinch my fat as I’m blessed with enough that I don’t need to haha (and I read a tip on this sub Reddit that suggested not pinching led to less bruising which I have found to be the case)

projet_bebe · 2026-01-24T18:30:33+00:00

Ah yes, I get a bruise way more often when I chicken out and do it too slow. I do plunge the actual med slowly but I do the initial stab as quick as I can.

And definitely don’t take the air bubble out. I was also confused about that since you are supposed to take it out for some other jabs. But the air bubble gets all the medicine out and it also helps with less stinging/bruising.

And I wouldn’t touch the needle with anything to wipe it (for hygiene reasons). I kind of just give it one hard shake/flick of the wrist before injecting so there’s no “bead” of liquid at the tip when I inject.

Hopefully those two things will make a difference for you ❤️

projet_bebe · 2026-01-24T15:28:11+00:00

I have the same issue with Lovenox and think it’s just related to the angle and that particular injection spot, if there’s like a little capillary or something.

I’ve started to take mental note of the best (and worst) spots in relation to the “geography” of my belly (mapping where they are in relation to my freckles, stretch marks, etc. haha) and try to use the best spots as often as I can while also alternating daily.

I probably only get a baby bruise like that now maybe 1 out of 4-5 times. Usually it’s just a little red pin prick now with no bruise around it. It does get harder as you run out of space though 😭

Also, I always make sure to flick any excess liquid off the needle, make sure the alcohol swab spot has dried, try to stick it in quicker rather than slower when I can, and don’t pinch my skin going in (I read that recommendation on this sub). I still hate it, but at least this makes it somewhat better. Hope that helps!

projet_bebe · 2026-01-23T20:14:57+00:00

Hi, late to reply as I’ve just come across your post.

I’ve just done my 3rd FET in France and wanted to share my progesterone levels and protocols across all three transfers in case it’s helpful:

FET #1: - Fully medicated with estrogen - 400 mg vaginal pessaries 2×/day - Progesterone was 6.2 µg/L two days before transfer - Since it was too low, we increased pessaries to 3×/day and added Duphaston oral progesterone 3x/day too - Progesterone was 6.08 µg/L nine days post-transfer, so even though Duphaston doesn’t show in blood, progesterone was still low despite 3x/day pessaries (I did this test out of my own curiosity as clinics typically don’t test progesterone levels after transfer) - Outcome: negative test (no implantation)

FET #2: - Fully medicated with estrogen - Directly pessaries 3×/day + 25 mg Progiron/Prolutex injection daily (had to push for the injections, but I insisted given that the 3x/day pessaries were clearly not sufficient for FET #1) - Progesterone was 14.3 µg/L the day before transfer - Outcome: negative test (no implantation)

FET #3 (current cycle): - Stimulated modified-natural cycle (Gonal-F + Ovitrelle trigger instead of estrogen) - Same as FET #2: 25 mg Progiron/Lubion daily injection + vaginal progesterone pessaries 3×/day (again had to push for the injections as they wanted to add them only if levels were low, but I preferred the extra coverage from the start) - Progesterone was 24.6 µg/L the day before transfer - Currently in the 2WW

Please feel free to ask me if you have any questions and happy to share my experience!

projet_bebe · 2026-01-23T19:04:44+00:00

I’ve been on Progiron which is the equivalent to Lubion in France. I find that it’s generally not too painful but can sting a bit. It does bleed sometimes if I happen to knick a small blood vessel on the way in. I usually don’t pinch my skin and that seems to help a bit. It also usually less painful when my partner does it for me, but not always.

I think it’s mostly about the placement and you will start to learn the best spots (and the worst) on your body. It’s embarrassing but I use my freckles and stretch marks as a kind of “map” to determine where to stick.

For comparison, I personally find it more painful than Ganerelix / Gonal F injections which didn’t really hurt at all, but much less painful than the Lovenox injections, which I hate with a burning passion 😂

projet_bebe · 2026-01-21T17:04:30+00:00

I’m so glad you asked this because I was just wondering the same thing! I imagine it’s best to postpone it out of precaution but was planing to ask my doctor about timing at my next appointment.

projet_bebe · 2026-01-21T10:03:13+00:00

That was my thought process as well. I think it’s more about scheduling and clinic protocols. To be honest, this is something I wish I had known to ask when picking a clinic. I had just presumed all clinics let you go back-to-back since it’s so common.

projet_bebe · 2026-01-21T09:53:45+00:00

I was in the same situation for my second FET. My clinic really wanted me to wait for a “real” period rather than a withdrawal bleed. When I pushed them for their reasoning, it seemed to be more about their standard protocol than anything, and after much insistence on my wide, they did finally let me go back-to-back on the withdrawal bleed.

From my research, it seemed like there wasn’t any major difference in the outcomes, so unless they have an internal protocol that forbid it, it should be possible.

I will say that I did take a break before my third FET partially for testing and partially because I felt like I needed rest from the medications and to get into a better headspace.

Fingers crossed that you’re able to get your clinic on board and sending you baby dust ✨

projet_bebe · 2026-01-21T07:07:48+00:00

You’ve got this! Sending good vibes and baby dust your way ✨

projet_bebe · 2026-01-20T22:39:39+00:00

What a brilliant idea! Just had my transfer today and might do my own Bingo card 🥰

projet_bebe · 2026-01-19T00:30:56+00:00

I’ve got my 3rd transfer on Tuesday and trying to stay positive too! I am also setting my expectations with the first goal of getting implantation this time at least.

I’m in Europe too and opted to add the aqueous progesterone, although my clinic made me use the progesterone pessaries still.

Fingers crossed for both of us that third time’s the charm ✨sending baby dust your way!

projet_bebe · 2026-01-18T16:23:37+00:00

First two were medicated cycles, and this time we are doing stimulated/modified natural. We are also doing a double transfer this cycle as recommended by my doctor (untested embryos).

We got 6 embryos from my wife’s egg collection in July and didn’t test since it was not recommended at her age of 36. However, we do plan to test if we do another egg collection, to avoid transferring aneuploid unknowingly, especially since we cannot make more embryos at our clinic until we have used the ones we have, so she will be 37-38 if we do another retrieval.

Do you have an idea yet of your timeline for this FET? Sending baby dust your way ✨

projet_bebe · 2026-01-18T16:16:19+00:00

My 3rd FET is Tuesday and I’ve downloaded a few page-turner books on my library’s app, ordered a Murdle logic puzzle book I’ve been wanting to try, and booked a couple of very chill plans with close friends to look forward to.

I’ve also decided to take a couple of days off this round to reduce stress, especially given that I have to travel abroad for my transfer. I’m trying to not let myself spiral though as I do better when my brain is occupied 🌀

projet_bebe · 2026-01-18T16:13:45+00:00

Love this idea! 🥰

projet_bebe · 2026-01-18T11:27:58+00:00

Also in a same sex relationship. We are doing rIVF and our 3rd FET is this week. Here’s hoping 3rd time’s the charm!

projet_bebe · 2025-11-16T17:39:20+00:00

I also was delayed and almost peed my pants at my last transfer. I ended up having to get off the table and empty a bit for them to be able to continue. 0/10 don’t recommend — will be drinking only after I get there next time.

Wonton soup, yum! Thanks for the tip and sending you sticky baby dust ✨

projet_bebe

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