IVF treatment includes a series of processes to identify the chances of pregnancy. Egg retrieval is one of the big steps essential to yielding the best results. In general, IVF treatment involves collecting the eggs from the ovaries of a mother or donor to fertilize them with sperm in a laboratory.
Once the egg has turned into an embryo, it will be injected back into the uterus. The egg retrieval process has also been carried out to preserve fertility when patients are undergoing certain serious treatments, such as gender transition, cancer treatment, or any other personal reasons.
This article explains the process associated with the collection of eggs from ovaries for IVF. It gives you an idea about how the procedure would be.
Step-by-Step Guide to the Egg Retrieval Process
Egg retrieval is a significant procedure in IVF treatment. Fertility specialists collect the egg from one or both ovaries to improve the chances of pregnancy. Here are the lists of steps involved in this process:
Positioning and Ultrasound Guidance
You will be placed in a lithotomy position for optimal access to your reproductive organs. Your legs will be raised and supported with stirrups. A thin, flexible ultrasound device is inserted into the vagina to find follicles. While entering, it creates the image of your ovaries and follicles, which allows them to visualize clearly and collect the eggs.
Follicle Aspiration
To ensure the comfort of patients, you will be given either general or local anesthesia. General anesthesia will make you totally unconscious, while local anesthesia will cover the area around your vagina. With the guidance of an ultrasound device, a thin needle is inserted through the vagina wall. It gently draws the fluid from each follicle, containing mature eggs, to fertilize.
Egg Collection
The fluid collected from each follicle is examined under the microscope to separate the mature eggs suitable for fertilization. If you’re curious about how many eggs are needed for IVF, the required number can vary depending on factors like age, ovarian reserve, and overall fertility health. After the completion of the procedure, you’ll be under observation until the anesthesia power wears off.
Role of the Embryologist in Egg Retrieval
Embryologists play a key role in the different stages of IVF, from egg retrieval to the development of an embryo. This is not a doctor’s role, but they are specialized in handling cells such as sperm and eggs. Their involvement is essential in every stage of the IVF treatment.
Egg retrieval: When the follicles are mature, they are collected using a needle from the ovaries. The embryologist has to segregate the eggs from the harvested fluid and prepare them for the further process of treatment.
Embryo Development: Once the eggs are processed, they have been introduced to the sperm for fertilization, resulting in embryo development. When it comes to specialized procedures like ICSI, embryologists use the micromanipulation method to insert sperm directly into the egg. This process can be performed in the extreme case of male infertility.
Check for Fertilization: Eggs and sperm are combined together in a laboratory for embryonic development. The process takes certain days to complete. Until then, the embryologist has to examine the process using the microscope to ensure the fertilization is going properly.
Embryo Transfer: The embryo has reached the multiple-cell stage in a maximum of 5 days. Then 1 or 2 embryos are transferred into the woman’s uterus to grow. Here, the embryologist has to evaluate and select the quality embryos and load them into a catheter. So that the doctors can inject it into the uterus using the needle.
Embryo Freezing: More than embryo development, embryologists use a special process to freeze healthy embryos. Until it is thawed, the biological activity in those embryos hasn’t taken place, and simultaneously, they’re not damaged by ice crystals.
Egg Identification and Examination
Egg identification is crucial in IVF treatment. After the follicles are harvested from the ovaries, the eggs in them are thoroughly examined under a microscope to assess their quality and potential for fertilization. Embryologists will segregate the quality eggs apt for fertilization to improve the chances of a successful pregnancy.
Storage and Preparation for Fertilization
There are two common methods used to fertilize eggs with sperm:
Conventional Insemination: In this process, the healthy sperm and mature eggs are fertilized in a controlled environment to form an embryo. It has been injected into the uterus of a woman to grow.
ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection): A single healthy sperm is directly injected into the mature eggs in the woman’s uterus. This procedure is used when the male has potential infertility.
Rest & Recovery
After the procedure, the patients can get back to their normal condition within an hour. They will be relatively pain-free and discharged home. The nurses will give some recovery instructions that are essential to follow for certain days; probably you are advised to take rest for the next 2 weeks.
Many patients can plan to do their work the next day, but it can significantly impact your ovary’s health. Ensure you are not performing any heavy activities like exercises, household chores, or driving. Following these guidelines increases the successful recovery.
Conclusion
Egg retrieval is a crucial step towards your dream of pregnancy in IVF treatment. The process is generally well-managed with anesthesia, ensuring minimal discomfort, so there’s no need to worry about the pain associated with egg retrieval. As per the aforementioned details, you need to follow certain instructions for quick recovery. Beyond that, your fertility specialist will give you customized care and guidelines according to your health condition. If you have any additional queries, clarify them with your team immediately.
FAQs
To improve the egg quality naturally, you need to focus on your healthy lifestyle, including:
- Balanced diet
- Regular exercise
- Stress management
- Hydration
- Consult your doctor for personalized care.
No, shaving is not so essential before the egg retrieval process. It won’t affect the procedure.
The signs of good-quality eggs are not directly visible to the naked eye. But your fertility specialist identifies the quality of eggs through:
- Normal hormonal levels
- Regular menstrual cycle
- Successful fertilization and embryo development
