Egg collection

[Madeline_1986]

Dear All.

Can anyone explain me how egg collection procedure works? Is it painful and what are the risks? One of the the risks are can damage ovaries ?

Thanks xx

[Pnw2020]

Hi.

Have a look at:

theduff.co.uk/ivf-process-s...

Hope that helps x

[Purpledoggy]

It is probably very slightly different from clinic to clinic but I will give you my experience of the 2 ECs I did. I was with an NHS clinic as a private patient. I was told to arrive about an hour before the scheduled EC time. They put you in a cubicle with bed/seat/water etc, weigh you and measure height, and then the anesthetist comes to talk to you about any risk factors you might have eg heart disease, drug sensitivity etc. When it's close to your turn, you put the gown and hat on (naked underneath) and then you'll walk into the EC room, which will probably have a number of people in it (consultant, nurses, anaesthetist). You lie down and the anaesthetist goes through some of the questions you answered again about drug allergies etc, then they put a canula in the vein in your hand. They then have a chat to you while they inject the sedative and you're knocked out (it's very pleasant going all fuzzy!). You then wake up in the cubicle they started you in as they wheel you out of the EC room while you're zonked. You'll be on oxygen for a little bit and feel quite fuzzy for 20-30 mins. A nurse will be with you and remove the oxygen when you're awake, then will give you some water when you can sit up. You're allowed to leave when you are awake enough to have eaten something and are considered compus mentus (I had to take food with me). At my clinic, the consultant will come and talk to you just before you go to let you know how many eggs they collected - I think this bit varies a little by clinic.

I did not feel anything of the procedure and was not painful afterwards to begin with due to the fentanyl (strong opiate analgesic). I did get more painful at home several hours afterwards but it was not strong pain, just uncomfortable. I was better the next day and pretty much the discomfort had gone by transfer (but, bear I am older and was getting 8/9 eggs, I think if you are younger and get far more eggs you will probably be more uncomfortable as your ovaries will be more swollen).

Because of COVID, my partner was not allowed in with me for any of it and so the first time around I was absolutely terrified, basically due to the unknown. The second time I was cool as a cucumber as I knew what was going to happen and knew the drugs meant I would not be aware of any of it.

Your clinic should have explained to risks in depth before the procedure. Most ECs go very smoothly but there are small risks of bleeding, infection, and rare risks of more serious complications including puncturing internal organs. I saw it as a means to an end and did not dwell on the rare severe risks as I knew I wanted to go ahead with it. If you are worried about risks I would strongly advise you to talk with your clinic about this.

xx

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi Madeline. It can be uncomfortable but you will have some sedation to settle you. The eggs are collected from the correct sized follicles on the ovaries, so ovaries should be safe. We do have information on the different proceedures on our website fertilitynetworkuk.org if you have a look. Hope all goes well when you have it done. Diane