Unable to visualise ovary

[Babysteps22]

Hi all, I've been for my day 6 scan today but my left ovary was still unable to be seen. The only way the doctor could see it in the end was by doing an abdominal ultrasound and he said it's sitting very high up in my abdomen. I'm worried that when I go in for egg collection next week they won't be able to reach it to retrieve the eggs. Has anyone else had this?

[MrsOrangejuice]

Yes, my left ovary is very high and sometimes couldn't be seen on scans - the only way for the nurses to see it transvaginally early on in the process was for one of them to practically sit on me to try and push it down. It's much easier to see on an abdominal scan. They warned me it could make egg collection from that ovary difficult. But I stimmed for quite a while and apparently as the ovaries sort of swelled they dropped a bit. The left was still higher at collection but they could access it on two collections without issue. There was another post fairly recently though from a lady who'd had a difficult collection because of one ovary being hard to access (may be worth searching for that post), so I think it's something to raise with your doctor near the time of collection to make sure they and you are prepared.

[Babysteps22 in reply to MrsOrangejuice]

Thank you for replying, it's reassuring to know it's not just me! Fingers crossed it'll drop a bit! I'll have a look for that other post, thank you 😊

[Shireen1]

Hi! My right ovary is sometimes not visible. It usually comes ‘into place’ once folliculs grow bigger but during one egg collection they could not collect eggs from it. Two nurses pressed on my stomach, it was painful but I didn’t complain as I wanted it to work. Even so, the doctor stopped because she was afraid that she would puncture my ovary as it was difficult to reach. On my next collection I was under general anaesthesia and there were no issues. I am just sharing this story in case you have an option for a general anaesthesia if it doesn’t come into place. I do hope it will! 🤞

[Babysteps22 in reply to Shireen1]

Thank you for sharing, it's reassuring to know others have had the same. Hopefully it'll drop a bit before next week 🤞

[Hidden]

Hi! My left ovary is a pain in the ass. I had 2 egg collections and every time a nurse had to push on my abdomen on the ovary so the doctor could catch it and take all the eggs out. And everytime the left one hurt the most and I got fewer eggs from it compared to the right one. A lazy pain in the ass ovary!

[Babysteps22 in reply to Hidden]

Oh no, glad it's not just mine! Thank you for sharing 🙂

[Star241]

Hi yes I had and egg collection last Monday my left ovary was very difficult to see via the transvaginal scan so I was really concerned however make this known to your egg retrieval team of course they will do their best, mine actually went via my bladder it was a little tender after but please don’t panic they will be experts at all sorts of hard to get to ovaries.

[Babysteps22 in reply to Star241]

Thank you, it's reassuring to know it's not just me! Ooh that's interesting to go via the bladder. Yes I must remember they are experts at this! Anxiety slowly creeping in....!

[Star241 in reply to Babysteps22]

Yes I know it’s easy for me to say don’t worry but I was also very concerned but they will do their utmost and actually it might not be an issue on the day, let me know how your get on and good luck xx

[Beclp]

Same thing has just happened to me. Going in for egg pick up In the morning and each scan I’ve done this cycle my left ovary has to be pushed out by pressing down on my abdomen to see the follicles. I was going to have the procedure in the clinic but my specialist decided I have to go under anesthetic now as he feels he may miss a couple of eggs if I don’t.

Slightly inconvenient but I would rather the eggs get taken out.

All the best 💕

[Babysteps22 in reply to Beclp]

Thank you for sharing, hope all goes well for you 🙂

[Hidden]

I have the same. What I would recommend is mentioning it when you go in for egg collection - especially if your have a number of different consultants at your clinic. The first round I assumed they would know and when they did collection they just said 'we couldn't get to left ovary' so we only got a couple of eggs. all the following collections when they wheeled me in I made sure to tell the consultant and basically said 'you can hang me upside down if you need to just make sure you get to my left ovary as its the better one'.. they did tell me one round they had 4 people pushing on my stomach to try and get it to move into position they could access it but every collection after that they did manage it, although I have to admit I was rather battered and bruised after them all! Good luck x

[Babysteps22 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for replying. I will make sure to mention it when I go in next week and be prepared for a potentially rough time!

[Beechnut1]

Hi, yes me!! My left ovary is permanently in my abdomen, they retrieve my eggs abdominally from that side as they can’t access it vaginally. I have a 2 year old from IVF and currently gearing up for another egg collection to try for a sibling. Hopefully as all others have said yours will lower and will be able to be accessed vaginally. I just wanted to post so you know that abdominal egg retrieval is possible, however it was challenging to find a willing consultant! Best of luck with it all xxx

[Babysteps22 in reply to Beechnut1]

Thank you, that's good to know there is another option. Best of luck to you too xx