Egg retrieval

[tobermor1]

Hello,

I am about to start IVF for the first time, and I am very anxious about the whole process. I am worried about the egg retrieval procedure in particular, and just wondered how you felt on waking up after the procedure?

Many thanks

[JA-fnuk Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Take your treatment a day at a time Let the nurses know about your concerns about egg retrieval and they should be able to put your mind at ease about the procedure

Thinking of you

Janet

[Bimsie1310]

Hi, I had my 1st egg collection last Friday and was super nervous going in but the team were lovely and it was over before I knew it. When I woke up I was just super drowsy for about an hour then was fine. I had very very mild period like cramp on Friday night and Saturday morning and nothing since so it really isn't a bad procedure

[ForABabyPanda]

like I’d had a really lovely sleep. Then they fed me tea and toast. It was all in all a lovely time, except for the cánula in my hand.

[Piggypiggy82]

You’ll be absolutely fine. 💪🏼 Everyone said that to me and I didn’t believe them but it’s true. None of it is as bad as you’re imagining it to be. I’d basically had zero experience of proper medical procedures until that point (I haven’t even had a filling!) so I was dreading it!

Was sh*tting myself about the injections, but they’re a piece of cake once you get your head around it. Stims is a tiny needle that you’ll barely feel if you get in it at the right angle. Fyremedal (pre-filled needle) is a sw1ne if you have that because the needle is thicker, but you’ll be a few days in by then and a bit more confident. Just have a word with yourself and get the needle in. Others have recommended numbing the skin with ice first.

Before the egg collection, I made it clear to the team that I was scared and made the consultant promise not to kill me etc etc and was practically shivering with fear once the venflon was in, but the venflon was literally the worst bit and even that was nothing to worry about. Second time I had zero anxiety (not even about the venflon) because it was all so fine the first time. The second time was equally fine. I can remember saying “oww” during the procedure but can’t remember any pain and it wasn’t scary. They’ll sedate you and you’ll be chilled af. Before you know it you’ll be back in your bed. I couldn’t even remember how I got back to the bed haha!

The first time I was quite bloated and uncomfy the next day, but nothing too bad. Second time wasn’t very bloated at all.

You got this 💪🏼

[Acbritto]

I was so anxious about the egg retrieval, especially the anaesthetic but it was really easy, I was up in 25 min and feeling great. My partner and I had a lovely day out straight after. Good luck 🤞🏼

[Albs171]

I was super nervous and felt like I knew nothing. I also have a major fear of operations.

But it was all so much better than expected. There’s nurses there to hold your hand - literally!

The injections are also not that bad. Once you’ve done the first you start to feel like you could retrain as a doctor!

And a few years later I now have my 8 week old beautiful baby girl next to me. So every bit worth it.

Good luck with it all xx

[Cahoots]

I actually felt great after the egg collection because of the sedative! You'll be asleep during the procedure and wake up feeling a bit high 😄 Apparently I kept telling my partner how amazing he was and how I was so happy to be doing this with him (almost like I was a bit drunk)They gave me a nice cup of tea afterwards and I went home and laid on the sofa for the rest of the day. A little bit of discomfort afterwards, but nothing too bad.

The injections are also not as bad as you think they're going to be, once you get used to doing them (I was so nervous, I read the instructions every single time for the first week to make sure I was doing it right! 😄) Good luck with everything! 🤞

[Twiglet2]

Going in for my 4th egg collection today and I’m honestly most worried about how many eggs (if any!) they will get as the procedure itself you dont know or feel a thing and it’s a great wee nap so defo don’t worry about that part at all 🤗 and defo don’t worry about it this far in advance! The emotional side is personally much harder for me so finding coping mechanisms and maybe one or two people to confide in would be my advice. Also you’ve found this forum and it’s so helpful too for me to understand everything, as Janet says just take it one step at a time 🤗💜 xx

[Hidden]

Hi Tiber, like the others have said it’s natural to feel anxious about it especially as it’s your first egg retrieval, but it’s not bad at all I never felt anything during or after my 2 egg collections, and was relaxed after because of the sedative. You will be absolutely fine - good luck for your treatment I hope you get the best outcome x

[Franjohn]

yes, as below take every day as it comes. The egg retrieval can be painful but you will get very looked after and be fast asleep during it all anyway! Expect some cramping but nothing too bad! The best advice I was given was make sure you always keep the hope because one day it will happen and don’t forget with ivf there’s are tons and tons of options and various protocols so a lot of it is trial and error. This community is brilliant and everyone will look after you xxxx

[JoleneR]

When waking up from my egg collections, I felt so relaxed as if I'd just been to a spa! That's the sedation drugs, and it was not unpleasant. Then you sit around eating and drinking the food they give you (biscuits and coffee in my case) and wait until it is ok to go home. Only one collection out of seven did I feel achier than normal, and blood pressure was slightly low so I had to stay longer, but did bounce back. I always took public transport home (accompanied).

For reference, approx 11 eggs were collected, so there may be more aches with a larger number collected. Take it easy the next day.