Egg Collection

[*Paula*]

Just wondering if some of you lovely ladies could share your egg collection stories. Im still a few weeks away and im aware that different clinics have slightly different procedures but im just curious as to how some of you have felt during and after the procedure? Did you get put to sleep or just numbed around the waist? They mention a recovery room after the procedure, what is that all about?

Might sound silly but im just curious. Thanks.

[rufalina]

Hi Paula, I didn't realise you were starting a full IVF round.
Wanted to wish you all the best for it. Hope you have every success...
xo

[butterfly_warrior]

Paula, mine were done under general anaesthetic. The "recovery" they talk about is just where they will monitor you as the anaesthetic wears off. If it's done under EPU you really won't be aware of anything. Just mild ovary pain and some bleeding afterwards.

As for the rest of my EPU stories - I had OHSS, so you really don't want to know! I've been the worst case IVF scenario for a while. Hopefully yours (and my upcoming one!) will go much smoother.

Good luck!

BW

[MsPink]

Hi Paula,

It all sounds a little scary - but honestly there is nothing to fear..

So..you go to day surgery and they usually get you in about an hour before...so take some reading (trash magazine is about all you can concentrate on for a first timer) material as you will be waiting. When you arrive they will just check the paperwork with you.

Then they will call you into the prep area where they weigh you and take your blood pressure. The anaethetist will come and see you sometime while you are waiting and the IVF doc usually pops their head in...or sometimes not if back to back EPU's. Then you will change into the glamorous gown with no back..yes naked and then as only day surgery I normally walk on into the theatre and get on the bed myself and off to sleep you go...with a needle and mask over your face.

When you wake up, you will be in recovery. Nothing to fear, this is just where they monitor you till you wake up. Once you feeling good, you get up, dressed and go and have something to eat and drink until you're ready to go home.

That's it...I think the whole - operation thing sounds bad - but I promise it is really such an easy day. You will agree once you have it over and done with.

Best of luck with your cycle Paula...

[*Paula*]

Thank you all for your replies. I have never been admitted to hospital (touch wood) or had an anaesthetic so its all new and kind of scary...

[scooby]

Paula thanks for this thread and thanks for the replies, this is my first IVF, have been to hospital before but really didnt know what to expect. I hope a few more girls will give their stories as i would love to hear more. Its so exciting but very scary. good luck.

[nic]

Paula, wishing you all the best with your first EPU, and first time in hospital too.

My pick up was much like minniemouse's, I arrived about an hour early, had a chat with a nurse, who then took me up to the day theatre level. DH waited for me downstairs, and they told him where he had to go to do his part.

When I got upstairs, they gave me all the lovely theatre clothes, showed me where to get changed, and gave me a bag to put my clothes and shoes in, which I then had to carry around with me. I then went to another room and waited. My FS (who I was meeting for the first time that day) came in and took me to another room where I had to do some paperwork. We had a chat and he then told me that the anaethetist would come and speak to me soon.

The anaethetist came in, and had a chat. He just asked when I had my last GA, did I have any reactions to it or any other allergies as well. I told him that I am usually sick after having a GA, so he said he would give me something to sort it out.

FS then came back in and walked me to theatre, where I got up on the bed. He introduced me to all the nurses, not that I remember their names I was so nervous lol. The anaethetist came over and put my arm on the little trolley where they put the needle into the back of your hand, but he put the needle in my elbow, where you would normally have blood taken from. He gave me something to stop the nausea, and my FS was holding my hand chatting to me telling me he would look after me.

I started to wake up and could hear the nurses talking to me saying they were just pulling the tube out of my throat. I remember feeling it, and thinking how I would need a slush puppy afterwards. I laid there for a while, then they moved me down the other end of the room when I was fully awake. They called for DH to come upstairs and visit me for a few minutes before the told him to go back downstairs and wait. After awhile they asked if I wanted something to drink. I asked later if I could get dressed, which they said was fine at that time, and grabbed the bag that had all my clothes in it.

When I got dressed, I moved to a room right next door and sat down and they gave me something to eat and drink. After awhile they called DH up to come and sit with me, and eventually I was allowed to go back to the motel.

Nic