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.