Ivf egg retrieval on nhs - what anaesthetic?

[FakeHappy]

Just wondering what kind of anesthesia you were offered for egg retrieval - local, sedation or general? I'm not there yet but Googled the procedure and it sounds horrible, surely even the local anaesthetic injection is really painful? I'm in the east Kent hospital Trust area if that makes any difference. Thanks in advance!

[Shanks_21]

I had general anaesthetic for mine this was the only option my clinic offered (NHS) x

[E_05]

I had sedation for both my EC, I was aware of being in the room but can’t remember much of the procedure. I did have some pain on my left side and they gave me gas and air which really helped. Honestly it’s not as bad as you think and is over quick xx

[Lizzielizzielizzie]

I had sedation; my clinic says it’s not best practice to offer general anaesthetic for egg collection. Sedation is through a canula in your hand and after that I did not feel or remember a thing (I’ve had it three times for EC and it was the same each time). Just feels like a lovely sleep, though it is conscious sedation so people might talk to you and you respond but you might not remember. The canula in your hand sometimes leaves a very small bruise depending on how well it is taken out, but really nothing to worry about.

Local anaesthetic sounds minging!

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to Lizzielizzielizzie]

Ps my clinic does both NHS and private work and it’s the same procedure for both.

[FakeHappy]

Thanks for everyone's replies so far, makes me feel better as hoping for sedation! Haven't had a general before so would be scared but preferable to local only! Waiting for my referral to fertility consultant so will ask her but wanted to know as I'm freaking myself out! X

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to FakeHappy]

Just checked the nice guidelines and that is where sedation is recommended. Hence my clinic saying other anaesthetic is not best practice I guess.

[FakeHappy in reply to Lizzielizzielizzie]

Oh that's great, didn't think of checking the guidelines. Had tried googling it but seemed to be lots of American sites where I suppose people pay for it /insurance so maybe need to keep costs down. Obvs wanted nhs experience x

[Hidden]

I had sedation with the first time and then General the second time. I will be having general again for my third in just over a weeks time xx

[FakeHappy in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. Best of luck with your next cycle!

[Hidden]

I had my egg collection with the NHS in London. I had sedation but don’t remember a thing and had a lovely sleep. I did not feel nauseous afterward which is the advantage of sedation over GA. Definitely much better than I thought. Good luck.

[Dreamingofbaby]

I had nhs and had general. It didn’t hurt for me felt strange going under but then woke up and was ok. Was painful after in lower stomach and strange while anaesthetic was wearing off but not too bad. Def not as bad as prob what google is saying. It ok. Best wishes ☺️

[crusherD]

I had nhs EC at Guys. I think it was called heavy sedation. I walked into EC room and lay on the bed, then they gave me an iv in my arm. A minute or 2 later I felt very dizzy for a second or 2 and then was out of it. Woke up in the recovery bay and don’t remember a thing. They told me i snored! Haha.

[Bexta6060]

I had sedation and local together. It was fine and I would go for that over GA any day as I've had that twice and I felt sick for days, i recovered from sedation fast.