Egg retrieval is one of the steps of IVF treatment. Are you unsure what to expect or how to prepare yourself for the retrieval? Don’t worry. Here is everything you need to know about egg retrieval in IVF.
Egg retrieval is the third step in the IVF cycle after stimulation and monitoring. Once the follicles swell to the desired size, it indicates that the eggs are mature and ready to be harvested. In some cases, the doctor might also perform a hormone test to confirm this.
The egg retrieval is done after injecting hormone or fertility drugs into the woman for a few days. These injections aim to stimulate the ovaries to release more mature eggs in the coming menstrual cycle. The higher the number of eggs retrieved, the higher the chance of the IVF cycle succeeding.
In an IVF treatment, both the female partner’s egg and the male partner’s sperm are retrieved. Both are then combined in a lab dish to facilitate fertilisation. The doctors need the eggs for fertilisation or insemination to happen. Only the viable embryos are transferred back into the uterus, thus increasing the chances of a successful pregnancy.
The egg retrieval process is usually done in the following manner:
Once the swollen follicles or hormone test indicates the eggs are mature, the fertility specialist will give you a trigger shot. This injection signals the body that it is time for egg retrieval.
The trigger shot may cause some side effects like abdominal pain, mild bloating, abdominal cramps, or irritation at the injection site. About 36 hours after the trigger shot, the ovaries will release the eggs for retrieval.
On the retrieval day, you may have to reach the clinic an hour or 30 minutes before the procedure. You will be given general anaesthesia, and you will feel nothing throughout the procedure. You will mostly wake up in about 15 minutes after the retrieval procedure.
General rules for anaesthesia include keeping the stomach empty (no water or food) for about six hours before the procedure. You can drink water an hour after the anaesthesia wears off and progress to soft foods. You can resume your regular diet in 2 or 3 days.
The eggs are retrieved using a needle attached to the ultrasound probe. They will insert the needle into this probe, and the doctor will guide the needle to each follicle while closely monitoring them on the screen.
Slowly and carefully, the doctor will next puncture each follicle and aspirate the fluid and egg inside. The eggs will be floating in the fluid in each follicle. Once all the follicles are punctured and all the eggs are retrieved, they will be stored in a test tube and sent to the lab. The entire retrieval process should take only about 10 to 15 minutes.
So, what happens after the egg retrieval?
● The fertility specialist will collect the eggs in pre-warmed test tubes and send them to the lab for incubation.
● When the sperm is ready, the egg and the sperm are put together in a petri dish for fertilisation.
● Fertilisation results in an embryo.
● The embryos are left undisturbed for about 3 to 5 days. The cells rapidly multiply during this stage.
● Next, according to certain pre-decided conditions, they will transfer the embryo into the uterus on day 3 or 5.
● After 2 weeks, your doctor will perform an ultrasound and blood test to determine whether the implantation was successful and whether you are pregnant.
Egg retrieval is a quick procedure. You will be under anaesthesia the whole time and will not feel any pain. However, like with every medical procedure, egg retrieval also has its own set of limited risks:
● You may experience the side effects of general anaesthesia, such as nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, sore throat, and sleepiness.
● There may be light spotting or bleeding soon after the retrieval. However, this will stop at some point. In very rare cases, the spotting can continue for a few days.
● A pelvic infection in rare cases. Sometimes, it can lead to the formation of an abscess due to a bacterial infection. This can usually be resolved with antibiotics and other medications.
Wondering if you need to prepare for or do something before starting your IVF treatment? Here are some tips to help you prepare for the egg retrieval:
1. Take all your medications prescribed for the IVF as per the schedule.
2. If you are on other regular medications, let your fertility doctor know and find out if you need to stop or alter their schedule.
3. Start eating healthy and following a healthy lifestyle
4. Do your research and note down all your doubts and concerns to discuss with your fertility doctor in your next appointment
5. Ensure you don’t eat anything for a good 6 hours before your egg retrieval, as you will be on general anaesthesia.
6. Be on time for your appointment and bring your partner or a friend for moral support.
7. Wear loose-fitting clothing
8. Empty your bladder before the procedure
9. Collect all information regarding your recovery time, when you can start eating after the procedure, when you can leave, etc.
10. Watch out for any concerning symptoms or side effects after the procedure. If need be, consult your doctor before your scheduled visit.
Egg retrieval is a crucial step in IVF treatment. It must be done on time to retrieve the maximum number of eggs. Talk to your doctor, get an exact timeline for the IVF treatment, and ensure every step is carried out as per the schedule.
After egg retrieval, the eggs and sperm are combined for fertilisation. Once the embryo forms, it is left undisturbed for about 3 or 5 days before being transferred into the uterus. A successful implantation leads to pregnancy.
The more eggs retrieved, the higher the chances of the IVF cycle succeeding. The number of eggs retrieved varies from cycle to cycle and depends on how the ovaries react to the fertility drugs.
Yes, you should take a few tests and medications to ensure your body is ready for the IVF treatment. You should also follow a healthy diet and an active lifestyle. You should stop smoking and drugs and also reduce alcohol consumption. All these will help your body respond better to the treatment.
The egg retrieval in an IVF treatment is done using a needle guided by an ultrasound. The fertility specialist will gently guide the needles, puncture the follicles one by one, and aspirate the fluid containing the egg from the follicles.
