Egg harvesting - painful??

[maybebaby]

Hello

This is my first visit and first post to this site. I am 38 years old (partner is 40) and resident in Amsterdam in the Netherlands. I was pregnant 3 years ago but had a miscarriage and have been trying ever since with no success. This year my partner and I decided to try IVF .... still feel a bit strange about it all - almost as if it is all happening to someone else and I am just standing by watching ..... perhaps the medication is getting to me in ways I hadn't realised

I started injecting ivf medication on June 12 (started with decapeptyl and am now doing decapeptyl and puregon). So far all seems to be going okay - I have not suffered many physical side effects from the drugs and psychologically I am feeling a bit distracted but okay.

However, my eggs (if there are any!) are due to be "harvested" (I hate that term!) next weekend (Saturday, Sunday or Monday). I have heard various opinions about how painful this process is but only from "someone who has a friend who said ..... etc". So I was wondering if anyone who has actually experienced the process could let me know how it was for them as I am feeling a little apprehensive about it.

I am so pleased to have found this site and would like to say thanks in advance to anyone who can let me know what to expect.

[Sand]

Hi Maybebaby ... Welcome to the Site and glad you found us !

I presume you're having EC under Local Anaesthetic (Sedation), rather than a General ? I've only ever had a General ('cos I'm a wimp). The girls that have had Sedation report remembering very little about the experience. I'm sure you'll receive replys from those who've been through it.

Best of luck for your EC, and fingers crossed for tons of eggies.

Get plenty of rest between EC (egg collection) and ET (embryo transfer). Your body needs to repair as much as possible, ready for implantation.

When you've had ET, join the girls on the General Forum on the July 2ww thread - where you can all go slowly mad together waiting for test date. Post your test date on the July test date thead, and we'll add your name to the test date list.

Good luck !

Sandra x

[maybebaby]

Hi Sand

Thank you so much for replying to my message - I have been feeling so alone throughout this whole process (DP is great but very practical and not too good on discussing the emotional side of things) - it is so good to know that there are others who understand what I am going through. I can't believe how emotional it has made me feel.

Yes - my EC will be with a local (nobody even suggested there was a possibility of a general - I just assumed everyone had a local!)

Thanx for your advice re the time between EC and ET (have been reading the other forums and learning the lingo!) I will rest as much as poss and will post again on the 2WW when I have had the ET. At least going mad with others is more attractive than going mad alone!!

Thanx again for the support - I already feel more positive (talk about being a wimp!!)

Maybebaby x

[NickiMark]

All the best dear and glad u found this site, heaps of support here so you'll be ok now.

Sorry cant answer your Q's but I am here to help u on your way x x

[k]

Hi Maybebaby

I had EC end of April. I had 14 follicles on the L ovary and 3 on the R ovary. I had local. They did the left first and I cannot remember too much about it apart from hearing them shout 'egg' every now and again which was nice. I have to admit when they attempted the right side, it was painful, BUT this was after they had got 12 eggs from the left and it was difficult for them because there were only 3 follicles on the right and they were very mobile, so it wasnt easy for them. The local had also started wearing off by then as well. I have heard sometimes of local been topped up, but they didnt do this with me. I would probably ask about this if going through IVF again. Most of the girls on here have said they couldnt remember much of their EC.
I was nervous about EC at the time, but after going through it, it wouldnt put me off going through it again. I would also rather put up with a small amount of pain than go under a general anaesthetic, but I guess this is personal preference.
Good luck with your treatment!
Love Kim.

[LittleP]

Hi Maybebaby

Welcome to the site.

I have EC performed under both general and local and I can hand on heart say I have no recollection of either. I went in and then about 30-40 minutes later I woke up.

The after effects from both were fine - no pain or discomfort.

Try and keep relaxed about it all and get plenty of rest.

Sending loads of PMA and hugs your way.

Big shouts to the fairy follicle to pay you a visit and give you a bountiful harvest.

Little P

[debbieed]

Hello Maybebaby,
Welcome to the site. The general forum page has lots of threads running on it which I'm sure you'll find helpful.

In terms of the EC. I've now had this done twice (and am reving up for my 3rd go). I've only ever had it done with some sedation. I was never given the option of anything else. I've not remembered much of it - kind of drifted in and out of the whole thing on both times. However, I was wide awake and ready to go home in a couple of hours with a little soreness (and some bleeding on the first time but not the second). On the whole I don't think that the experience of EC is too bad. Just go with the flow and relax - after all, when we get a +ive result it will all be worth it.

Take care and best of luck.

Love
Debbie

[cmg]

Hi Maybebaby and welcome aboard.

I had EC last week and was very worried about it in advance. I had heavy sedation rather than general anaesthetic and didn't feel a thing. I remember being injected in my hand with sedative and told it would start to ache, which it did, then the next thing I knew I was in the recovery room. I had a little bit of pain like the start of a period pain immediately afterwards and took a few painkillers, but that pain didn't come back at all.

Unfortunately I was a bit sick afterwards but I think that was a combination of a car journey in hot sun, the effects of the sedative and nerves. Since then the only problem has been bloating. My ovaries are quite swollen up, which is probably part of the bloating, but part of it is that they press on my gut (very sensitive at the best of times) and this causes trapped wind. Also the drugs make you a bit constipated, which doesn't help. It's getting better but a week later, I am still definitely wearing looser clothes!

I was also nervous about embryo transfer but, once the speculum was in, I didn't feel anything at all and actually found the process quite moving.

I've found shiatsu massage very calming when I've got anxious about any of these procedures.

Come on over and join the June/July thread on the general forum - you'll find plenty of others going through the same thing. And trust me, it doesn't matter how stupid you think your question is or how wimpish you feel about being worried, someone else will be worrying about the same thing.

Good luck with it all

Caroline

[maybebaby]

Dear all

Thank you so much for all your comments - I genuinely feel reassured. I really appreciate the fact that you have all taken the time to post replies and share your experiences - thank-you!
I have an ultrasound on Friday to check how many (if any) eggs there are and then the EC a couple of days after that.
I am not so worried about it now!
I will hop over to the general forum and plunge into posting there when I know what is happening.
Thanks again and good luck to everyone

Maybe x