Egg Retrieval - need advice.

[Angie73]

Egg retrieval - I going to be starting IVF within the next couple of months and am worried about the egg retrieval. I need to decide whether to have it done under sedation or a general anaesthetic. Has anyone had it done under sedation and what it is like? Did it hurt??

[brs888]

For my egg retrieval I was in what they called "twilight sleep." They say I wasn't completely out, but I didn't feel or didn't remember anything after. What ever it was was administered through an IV. I have heard different experiences, though. I am sure you will get a number of replies to help you out

best of luck!

[rouge]

Hi,

I was told my egg retrieval was done under "mild sedation"... but I was totally out, didn't find it any different than under GA... no pain during the procedure, but experienced soreness and bloating afterward... but I guess it would hv been the same case under GA...

hope u get more responses to help u make your decision!

[jag]

Hi

I'm going for EC on Friday so I will let you know. I am a little worried too. I have a very low pain threshold. I told my nurse this morning that I was worried. She told me just to inform the nurse when she gives me the anathestic (sp) and she will knock me out more. My the sounds of it you don't feel anything. I haven't seen posts saying that it was awful and painful!

Just relay your concerns to the clinic I am sure they will be very understanding

Take care

Luv JAG

[betty]

I too was under mild sedation and don't remember a thing. Actually I did wake up for a second before they were done. I remember saying something but I don't know what. The next thing I knew I was back in the room with my husband. It wasn't painful. I was advised to take it easy for the rest of the day and felt fine next day.

[DebraP]

Hi Angie, first of all pl. don't stress about this, you have lots of time to make this decision and chances are your clinic will suggest GA if you think it's going to be esp. stressful for you.

I've had 3 ETs and only been sedated for each (they don't offer GA actually). For the first I was awake throughout , the 2nd and 3rd used a more powerful med and I fell asleep despite wanting to be awake! Your DH/DF/DP will be there with you and it's really interesting to watch the follicles being drained on the screen and hear how many eggs are in there. I found it a little painful afterwards but only had 10 follicles, some of the women on here who have a much higher number have more discomfort. Some people go to work between EC + ET, others don't feel up to it.

If you've not got it already, buy/borrow a copy of Zita West's 'Fertility & Conception' and you'll start to get a clearer idea of what happens - how and when. She also has great advice on how to prepare and as you've a few months, this would be perfect timing.

Good luck
Debra.

[k]

Hi Ange

EC was the part I worried about most with IVF. I was sedated. Dont remember much when they collected from the left ovary (14 follies, got 12 eggs). I had woken up a bit when they tried to collect from the right. I only had 3 follies on this side and have to admit it was painful because they were more mobile. However, the sedative had started to wear off and if I go through a future cycle I will discuss them topping it up, if this was the case again. I have to say though, it wouldnt put me off going through it under sedation again. I would much prefer this than a GA.
No one else seems to have had any pain at all undergoing EC, from what ive read on here, so im probably the exception. Afterwards there was discomfort, but this encouraged me to relax and it was bearable. I just took some paracetamol. Im sure you'll be fine! I was very calm beforehand because of a sleeping tablet I had been given! Cant say the same for ET, I was so worried I was going to have no embryos to put back I was in a right state!
Anyway, its all worth it now!
Good luck!
Love Kim

[DebraP]

whoops. My message has a vital typo. I was talking about EC not ET (which is a 5 minute walk in the park, no sedation, no pain, no meds, no nothing). It's after EC that some have discomfort, pain etc.

Sorry,
Debra.

[crasmus]

hi there ange..

i've had ...let's see 5 EC....the first which was 5 years ago i had mild sedation(twlight)...but i woke up before they were completed...it hurt, but nothing to bad.... the rest of my EC, i told them i woke up the first time, so they gave me a bit more.... the rest i was fine, and don't remember much.... the only think that i remember was a bell.... it's cute, cuz at my clinic they ring a bell for each egg they get..for fertilization good luck. i remember hearing the bell (i always get 38-41 eggs) so there are a lot of bells.

i was in pain after the EC, but they said that it's because i have a ton of eggs and OHSS... so it's not that bad.... i always look at it as prep for having the baby...

good luck, and peace
colleen

[Emma27]

I seem to be the only person who had a GA, i heard some bad experiences about people who were sedated so i opted for GA (they gave us the choice)

Again i felt bloated and sore afterwards for about 10 days however my levels were extremely high at retrival so i dont know if this had anything to do with it!!!

I also had to stay in hospital for 2 days whilst i had retrival as i have a bleeding disorder LOL i have to be awkward!!!!

[jag]

Heh

I had my EC on Friday - they didn't knock me out completely. I was heavily sedated and also given some sort of drug so I wouldn't remember the pain. I couldn't remember a thing! All I can remember is them sticking the needle in me, feeling a cold rush up my arm then, zonko - I woke up in the recovery room. DH said I was snoring the whole way through Its a bit strange though as apparently I had to put my legs in the stirrups and then I kept taking them out so they had to put them in, in the end - a bit wierd really as I don't remember ANY of this! Apparently I was then chatting to them about taking power naps!!!


I was in a little pain afterwards - I felt stiff really but I suppose that's fair enough. They gave me paracetamol in the recovery room.

Don't worry about it too much - just talk to the nurses and they will tell you what is best.

Good Luck!

[nes]

Hi, I don't know if I can answer your question, as it is always a personal choice; but I had my egg collection on 1st october, but I was under G.A.

I had stimulated quite a lot, and was told that I was at a high risk of developing OHSS, so I opted to be put to sleep. I had over 45 follicles, and ended up in hospital for two days as I was in a lot of pain.

I found that because of the number of follicles I had, that there was no way that I could have been awake, but if you don't have as many follicles as I did, that it should be you that has the final choice.

Hope that helped.

Good Luck.