Egg Retrieval - Local versus General Anasthetic

[onthefly]

I was under sedation both times and was completely out to it - I believe that's pretty standard. I'm not sure I"ve heard of anyone actually being 'aware' during the pick-up whilst under sedation, but I could be wrong about that.
All the best~~

[tracey2010]

While donating 10 years ago I was sedated as well for the EPU, and only felt slight discomfort like a pap smear but a bit further up..... With GA, I guess it takes longer to wake up, and may get nausea etc. I think sedation is better, you can always tell them to turn it up a bit more... cheers.

[Bloom]

I've very interested in this as I have only had a GA 3 times in my life, but all 3 times have experienced terrible terrible naseua afterwards. (Last time, as soon as I woke up I said "I'm going to be sick" and took off the oxygen mask, only to have the post op nurse shove it back on, hold it there and say "of course you aren't going to be sick, you've had the strongest anti-nausea medication". I was sick. On her and in my mask!).

Anyway FS didn't give me a choice last time, but I would be interested to hear from others that have chosen not to have a GA, as I'd much prefer not to!

[barney]

at my clinic you never go fully under,i knew what they were doing the hole time,i could feel everything,i even knew when they were taking my eggs and putting them in the baby incubator,i could hear everyone.im not saying i was fully awake but sure did know what was happening i could even feel the eggs coming off and it was a little bit uncomfy but not bad at all.
good luk.

[danemum]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. Appreciate it!
I guess when the time comes for this procedure I would just want to get it done and any pain or discomfort
with just local I will just bear it. Hubby can be in the room with me for this procedure if I dont go under GA
so it will be a good experience for him too and something we can do together! The other benefit is probably
costs savings as opting for GA there will be more out of pocket!

[Lily Dust]

During my cycles I was fully aware of what was going on, was given a local into my cervix, pain relief and a some kind of calming drug. I was fully conscious and chatting away to everyone in the room about what was this and that . I didnt find it at all painful perhaps uncomfortable but nothing major. I didnt know until after that some clinics put you under a general.

[danemum]

Hi Lily Dust
Yes i think what you had is what they are proposing for me to do.
Good to hear that it was only uncomfortable and not overly painful.
that does reassures me, thanks

[Maggie]

Hi Danemum,
I've only ever had it once under a general. That part was fine but I didn't feel crash hot after I woke up- giddy and nauseas. At worst though I'd describe it as unpleasant.
Having said that- I'd been under a general three times before with other procedures and had no after efects then. So I just got unlucky this time.
Given the choice I'd probably ask for local and light sedation next time.

[wildjo]

I've done 5 egg collections all done with local sedation through an IV and a local injection in the cervix. 4 of the 5 egg collections because of a high number of eggs (30+) it was rather painful. 1 of the egg collections though I only had 8 eggs collected and that was completely painless (and the only 1 that worked too). I would still opt for the local as I believe your body recovers quicker and easier with a local as opposed to a general. Hope this might help. :