Ellie:
I have had four transfers, as a result of two retrievals over the past 18 months. The first two were quite painful as I have a retroverted uterus and because there is some scarring on my cervix as a result of receiving laser treatment for displaysia in my twenties. Neither of these transfers worked. By contrast, the third and fourth transfers were completely painless, and went smoothly. On the third transfer two beautiful fresh embryos were put inside, and we had every hope that they would take. Unfortunately, sometimes despite everything going well, it just doesn't work. Neither of the embryos made it, and we just don't know why. On the fourth transfer we were using our last two frozen embryos. Although the transfer was painless, it took a long time, and the embryos were put back in the incubator while the doctor patiently tried to feed the catheter through the cervix. We thought for sure that it wouldn't work as the embryos had been frozen in the first place, and then had been out of incubation for so long, but despite all the odds it worked!! Our beautiful baby boy is now almost 9 months old, and in a few days we will be doing another retrieval to try for a brother or sister! My advice for anyone going through a transfer is to be sure and tell the doctor if you are in any pain or if there is any cramping. Tell them to stop until it subsides. Also, don't feel discouraged if your transfer doesn't work the first or second or third time. Statistically, I was an excellent candidate for IVF. My husband and I were both under 35, and as a result of two ectopic pregnancies, we knew that his sperm could fertilize my eggs. Despite the general consensus of the doctors that IVF would work for us, it still took us four trys. Be realistic, optimistic and patient!!!

Angelea from Tasmania, Australia.:
My first ET on the 3rd of June this year (99) was an amazing experience. It was such a relief to know I had nine perfect embies at day three and two ready to go which left me with seven little Australians in the freezer. When I saw the embryos under the microscope I just couldn't believe how beautiful a sight it was - I felt as if a ray of light from heaven was shining down on us. The transfer was very quick and only a tiny bit uncomfortable. I was surprised when the nurse said "You can get up now" and the doctor said "Well I hope you become pregnant now" and because the mood was so light and happy I said "Was that good for you, too Doctor?" and the nurses and the scientist and the doctor burst out laughing. I hardly did a thing for two weeks and I am now blessed to be seven months pg with a healthy, active baby. I know that heaven was smiling on me that day and I am so grateful and happy for it. So I can say that my ET was the most amazing experience of my life, so far. Good luck to all.

Debs:
Before my 1st IVF transfer I was told it was just like the IUI I had previously had, which I new was painless. Apart from the mucus they found and had to clean out, the actually transfer was painless and prblem free.

Terry:
I only had IVF done once which was about 7years ago. It was a very hair raising thing,but i wanted to make sure I depleated all my options. The most frustrating part was the wait to see if the procedure work yes it was very painfull at times but if you want something bad enough it is worth it. Most people dont have a clue as to what couples go through. My husband and I have gone through the gamet of infertility procdures.If i had to do it all over again I would I never gave up. They retrvied 15 eggs through vaginal aspiration (some what painfull).The best news i got was they all took they only put four back I had to lay on my back for about 6hrs. Iwent home stayed off my feet for one day and back to normal things. When all was said and done I was pregnant with 3. By the time I was 8 weeks along it was 2. I had my twin girls in 1993. I am glad I never gave up. They do have an older sister she was 7 when they were born. I had to go through infertility things then but not IVF.You just never know. To all hang in there. Twincerly Yours.

Shauna:
The transfer was probably the easiest part of this whole IVF process. I was instructed to arrive for the transfer with a full bladder. Apparently my clinic uses ultrasoud to monitor exactly where they place the embryos, and a full bladder makes it easier for them to see this on the monitor. Anyway, I was very uncomfortable because of that. All of the reading that I've done on IVF talks about how important it is to relax during the transfer. How are you supposed to be able to relax with a bladder the size of Texas? But anyway, then they transfered the embies and I was able to watch on the monitor. The whole thing took 5 minutes. Then they wheeled me back to the room, told me to get up and empty my bladder (yeah!), and leave. They told me that remaining lying down was not necessary at all and that I was free to leave. They did tell me to take it easy at home that day, but that I could return to work the next day.

Tasha:
I've had two transfers so far and they both went well. The first was 3 days after my retrieval. We reported to the hospital and I changed into the gown and robe they provided. I was given Valium to help me relax. My RE came in and gave me a picture of my 10 embryos. She said everything looked great and all the embryos were grade 1, our clinic's highest rating. After a short dicussion we decided only 2 would be transferred. The doctor, DH and I walked down the hall to the procedure room. I got up on the table and the nurse adjusted the stirrups. DH held my left hand while the RE inserted a speculum. After washing my cervix, the doctor inserted a catheter and called that she was ready. The glass door to my right slid open and the lab tech brought in my embryos. They were inserted through the catheter and the lab tech then took it back to the lab to verify that the embryos were not still in the tube. I was then taken back to our room in labor and delivery. My bed was adjusted so my feet were higher than my head and I had to stay in it for 3 hours, except to use the bathroom. After the 3 hours, I was allowed to go home for 48 hours of bed rest. The second transfer, an FET, went the same. I had a little discomfort when the speculum and catheter were inserted, but after some of the tests I'd had done, that was nothing.

nathalie:
I've done 2 transfer, I think it's the best moment in IVF, the only one good moment. at the moment you feel, yes, it's OK now, all will go on, my embrios are there. But , when you come back at home, it isn't so simple. They was there OK you've seen it on echography, but now are they there yet ? When will they be expulsed, what can i do for they stay ? The 2 weeks waiting are the worst thing in IVF, I became completly crazy, I don't know what to do, I always think and think, it's terrible to don't know ! when you know the result after, even negativ, it's a very real relief.

Sue :
Hi everyone. I've been through 2 transfers. The first was a little difficult. I had 17 follicles aspirated and had found that somewhat painful. We had a day-2 transfer, so I wasn't fully recovered from the pain of the retrieval before I had to go back for the transfer. Also, I have a tipped uterus, so the doctor had to use a cervical clamp to hold my uterus while he inserted the catheter. The best part was that they show you the embryos on the screen before they put them in the catheter - you are just filled with such hope when you see them! The 2nd transfer was no problem. My retrieval had gone fine and I had no pain. I did 2 transfers - 1 embryo on day 3 and 2 blastocysts on day 5. They used a cervical clamp on the day 3 transfer, but the doctor who did the day 5 was able to do it without. The clamp isn't that bad - like a bad period cramp for about a minute, if that. I think my 2nd experience is the more typical one from the postings I read - most people seem to find it very easy. I certainly don't have any fear or concern about going through it again.