Egg Retrieval - Local versus General Anasthetic

Hello everyone
This is my first post and I am currently starting my Puregon injections. Pretty excited about this journey.
One thing I am still 2 minds about is whether I should opt to go under GA rather than just the local/sedative
that my FS has recommended during the egg retrieval (sorry if I am not using the right terms, still trying to
get use to all of this). The reason they want me to be on local rather than general are the risks
associated with GA but at the end the decision lies with me.
Like to hear from you all what your experiences have been in regards to this.
I think my pain tolerance is OK but dont want to be put off by the whole process
Thanks!

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~~

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.

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!

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.

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!

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 :D. 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.

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. :p
that does reassures me, thanks

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.

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. ::D

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.

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.

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:D

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. :pray: