Are you concerned about whether the egg retrieval process for IVF is painful?
Don’t worry. It is a usual process, you may experience no pain during or after the completion of this egg retrieval procedure. It is also known as oocyte retrieval which can be done at initial process in the invitro fertilization procedure. The collected eggs are then fertilized with egg and transferred into the uterus as embryo implantation.
There are only three common reasons available for taking the egg retrieval process. Some women may choose egg retrieval for undergoing artificial fertilization treatment. Few people may want to freeze their embryos or eggs for future use. And some have a kind mind to donate their eggs to others.
Is Egg Retrieval for IVF Painful?
No. Although the act of retrieving an egg is not painful, you might experience some slight discomfort. If you have an egg retrieval procedure scheduled for the first time, this question can come up.
The procedure of Egg Retrieval
As this process is minimally invasive, it is the first phase in your in-vitro fertilization procedure. You are given several medications for stimulating the growth count of multiple eggs before your egg retrieval procedure. Once your eggs have reached a sufficient size, like 18 mm, they are ready to retrieve. Now you are given an hCG trigger shot to prepare you for an egg retrieval procedure. Some women may experience mild symptoms of egg rupture after the hCG injection.
The procedure of egg collection may be taken in an operating room. Within 20 minutes, your whole egg retrieval process may end. On the day of collecting your eggs, your healthcare provider will insert an ultrasound into your vagina to look out for the mature eggs in your ovaries. This may not be painful; you are completely fine with this procedure. Mature eggs are collected transvaginally using ultrasound-guided aspiration. This follicle aspiration collects the mature eggs using this ultrasound guidance.
Using a light suction, the collected eggs are aspirated by your healthcare provider. The collected eggs are then placed in a tube and named with a unique identification number. This further went to the embryo development process or egg freezing for future use.
Once the process is completed, you are then checked for your vaginal wall and ovars. Now you may feel some discomfort or cramping. Your healthcare provider may guide you to take some painkillers.
Pain Management During Egg Retrieval
During the egg retrieval process of IVF, some sedatives or anesthesia are given for the patient to remain comfortable and relaxed.
In some cases, local anesthesia is used to create numbness over the vaginal area, so the patient may not experience any discomfort by using transvaginal-guided aspiration.
In advanced assisted reproductive technology, egg retrieval is commonly a well-tolerated procedure. Your healthcare provider may take crucial steps to reduce your risk of pain management during the process by providing anesthesia or sedation. Medications are also suggested for reducing the mild cramping.
Post-Procedure Discomfort
To encounter mild cramping after the egg retrieval procedure, your healthcare provider may advise you to take some painkillers for soothing your vaginal pain. While egg retrieving is a harmless process, some may experience abdominal pain, cramps, fatigue, constipation, and bloating like in the menstrual period.
Severe complications like OHSS (ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome) can occur because of stimulating high egg production. This may cause severe pain, nausea, and fluid retention. Closely monitor your symptoms and convey them to your physician regularly.
Potential symptoms occur after the egg retrieval procedure:
- Ovarian stimulation: The recommended drug for increasing ovarian production may result in larger ovaries, which would be uncomfortable.
- Follicle aspiration: There may be some short-term, mild pain from the needles that are put into the vagina to extract the follicles.
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: It is a rare and serious condition that is not experienced by all women, but some may experience this syndrome, which is caused by a heavy response to fertility medications.
- Infection: Some may feel infections due to ultrasound-guided aspiration.
- Pelvic discomfort: Due to fertility medications, the increased blood flow into the ovaries causes heaviness and pain.
- Constipation: The medications cause sudden hormonal changes that lead to constipation problems.
Pain Management After the Procedure
To minimize the pain after your egg retrieval procedure, you may have to follow some steps to reduce pain as follows:
- Stay Hydrated: To avoid bloating and support fast recovery you may need to drink more water to hydrate your body.
- Take complete rest: The following days of the egg retrieval procedure, allow your body to take complete rest to balance your hormonal changes and mood swings.
- Avoid lifting heavy objects: Strenuous activities should be avoided to reduce your abdominal pain. Don’t provide additional stress to your abdomen during this time.Â
- Follow the medications properly: Follow the medications as instructed by your physician.Â
- Use heat pads: Try using heated pads to create a calming sensation to prevent abdominal pain and cramps.
- Eat fiber-rich foods: Vegetables high in fiber lower the chance of constipation.
Conclusion
Most of people belive IVF is painful, especially egg retrieval, Each person may experience different symptoms while undergoing the egg retrieval process. While experiencing the egg retrieval process, the patient may undergo a hand-in-hand feeling with infertility treatment. Don’t compare your treatment journey with others. You may have a different one. Trust the process and hope for your positive outcomes. Your physician will understand your difficulties and emotional experiences. They strive to make the process as comfortable and stress-free as possible.
People Also Ask
IVF egg retrieval is a common process that does not cause more harm than mild cramping and pain in the abdomen. This can be resolved by taking medications.
Your recovery after IVF egg retrieval could take up to two weeks.
The egg retrieval and waiting period for final IVF outcomes are the hardest parts of IVF treatment.
