thread: Egg Retrieval - Local versus General Anasthetic

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  1. #1
    Registered User

    Mar 2010
    Melbourne
    61

    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.

  2. #2
    Registered User

    May 2010
    Northern Beaches
    2

    egg collection with local

    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. :

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Apr 2007
    in lactation land
    3,776

    Is a Twilight sedation available to you? I only ever had these for IVF cycles and was completely unaware of what was going on and woke pretty quickly afterwards with no memory of the procedure. Much gentler than a GA IME.

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Dec 2009
    Melbourne
    57

    Hi Danemum,
    I've had 2 IVF pick ups and both have been under sedation.

    Totally unaware/asleep through both. Each time they gave me an IV coctail of Propofol ?50mg, Midazalam 2mg and Fentanyl (?100mg). Low doses. I'll ask next time I'm in. Propofol clears quickly from the system, and I woke up maybe 30 to 40 mins later in the recovery room on a trolley. Midazalam is a benzo, makes you forget and relaxes you. I didn't have problems with nausea or anything like that, just the hiccups the second time around. And guess what, I asked for a cup of really hot water, as that get's rid of them for me, and I burnt my tongue. That was 5 mins after waking up. And got a mouth ulcer that took 5 days to go away. I presented really well to the nurse, but really I was still very drowzy. I think it was a bit dangerous of the nurse to do that.

    The trouble with GA's is they need to intubate you and give you muscle relaxant as well, so another drug. And the tube down the trachea can leave you with a sore throat.

    Mostly, you don't want to demand something the doctors aren't routine with. If it's something new for them they may be more nervous. And that wouldn't be ideal I think a local anaesthetic is preferrable, but the clinic doctors need all the concentration to drain the follicles, without distractions from a patient asking questions. The reality is that at a public hospital fertility centre, some of the doctors are being trained under a consultants guiding hand. Working with an experienced consultant who chooses LA for you, I'd say take it. If things are painful, just tell him/her, they can use more LA, wait 3 mins. and continue on.

  5. #5
    Registered User

    May 2010
    9

    Hi timeforafamily,

    Thanks for sharing. Yes I have decided to go with the doctor's recommendation and use local.
    The procedure should not take more than 20 mins (I've been told). I am confident I will be able to make it
    through alright. I am not sure exactly what medication they will be providing me under Local but they did
    mention that I will be awake throughout the egg pick up and if I needed more sedative they can easily
    administer that. Just had another blood test today and looks like the Puregon is doing what it is intended to
    do and will be going for another round of blood test and this time a scan on Friday. So if my calculations are
    not too off the egg pick up should be late next week..........
    Will definitely update everyone as to how it was under Local

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Mar 2009
    Coffs Harbour, NSW
    2

    I have had 2 IVF cycles in WA and both times under GA. I do not respond well to GA and the first time I got so sick I had to be hospitalised over night. I am now living in NSW and on to my 3rd IVF cycle and they do egg removal under local anaesthetic, so I am really looking forward to being awake and seeing what happens and not having the bad side effects afterwards. They do have the option of having GA but I think local is probably better on your system. Good luck with your cycle. I am going in for my egg removal in a couple of days.