Egg Retrieval
Oocyte Retrieval in Our Durham, NC Infertility Clinic
Oocyte (egg) retrieval is a procedure for removing the oocytes, or eggs, from the ovarian follicles using an ultrasound-guided needle.
Sperm Collection for Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
On the day of the retrieval, we will need to collect a semen specimen. Couples will be given the choice of collecting at home or at the clinic.
To do the collection at home, you will need to be able to bring the specimen to the clinic within 30 minutes. Be sure you have the appropriate specimen container and label before you leave the clinic.
The semen should be collected by masturbation without lubricants. Do not attempt to collect any semen that was not deposited directly into the collection container. Double check the lid of the container to make sure it is properly sealed and put the identification label on the container.
You will then put the container inside the plastic bag and subsequently inside the brown paper bag, which have been provided for you. Be sure to complete and sign the slip of paper that is included in the bag.
Individuals who wish to collect their specimen at the clinic will be given directions and containers upon arrival at the clinic. A collection room is available for privacy. Materials are available in the collection room to provide the appropriate visual stimulus for ejaculation.
During the week most specimens will need to be turned in by 8 a.m. When you are given written instructions for the retrieval process, you will also receive instructions regarding specimen collection.
Our Durham, NC Fertility Clinic’s IVF Egg Retrieval Process
Remember not to eat or drink anything when you wake up on the day of your IVF egg retrieval. Refer to your suggested arrival time on the written instructions (usually 8 a.m. for weekday retrievals and 6 a.m. for weekend retrievals).
When you arrive at the clinic you will be checked in and taken to the recovery and observation area. A nurse will put in an intravenous catheter (IV) and administer sedatives when you are ready to go to the operating room. Additional sedatives and pain medication will be given as needed during the procedure.
The IVF egg retrieval procedure takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes. The nurse will connect monitors used to evaluate your pulse, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation during the procedure. Additional medications can be administered safely as needed.
A cleansing solution and speculum will be used to wash the labia and vagina to remove bacteria. Once the cleaning preparation and equipment set up is complete, the retrieval takes place.
During Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (Icsi), an ultrasound probe fitted with a special needle guide is used to align the probe, needle, and follicle. Just like in the clinic, the follicle will be centered on the screen, and instead of measuring the follicle, the needle will be inserted into the follicle.
This allows for precision aspiration of each of the follicles, which will hopefully each contain an oocyte. As the oocytes are aspirated into the needle, they are drawn into a test tube. This tube is then passed into the incubator. From here the embryologist will identify the oocytes and count them as they are found.
After egg retrieval is complete, you will be taken back to the recovery area. You or your partner will be told the final oocyte count prior to leaving the clinic. Recovery after egg retrieval takes one to two hours on average. Prior to discharge you will be given discharge instructions including directions for supplemental HCG. Oocyte donors do not need supplemental HCG.
The oocytes are identified in the follicular fluid by an embryologist. The number of follicles will be known at the completion of the procedure or shortly thereafter.
The Recovery: After Egg Retrieval in Our Durham, NC Infertility Center
After egg retrieval, the recovery takes one to two hours on average. You will be given discharge instructions by the nurse that was present at your retrieval. Because the medications used for the retrieval often cause memory impairment and drowsiness, you should plan to have the remainder of the day free of any activities. Most importantly, do not plan to drive after egg retrieval, as you will not be allowed to drive yourself home.
The next day after egg retrieval, the monitoring physician will call you with fertilization results, which usually arrive before 1 p.m. Do not expect to have 100 percent of the oocytes that were retrieved fertilized. There is no good way to predict how many eggs will actually fertilize. Depending on several factors, including number of fertilized eggs and age, the embryos will be transferred into the uterus on either day two or day three following the retrieval.
Supplemental HCG or progesterone will be administered following the retrieval. If you are instructed to take HCG, you will need a total of 5,000 units of HCG.
Mixing instructions will be given to you along with your discharge instructions prior to leaving after egg retrieval. You will need to mix 10,000 units with 2 ml of liquid. This will make a solution that contains 5,000 units in 1 ml. Administer 0.5 ml (2,500 units) the day after retrieval and again in three days (four days after retrieval).
After egg retrieval, donor oocyte recipients will use intramuscular injections of progesterone twice daily to prepare the uterus for implantation and provide support for an early pregnancy. For those taking progesterone, it is usually continued for approximately nine to 10 weeks into the pregnancy until the placenta has completely taken over the hormone production function.
A pregnancy test will be done around 14 days following the embryo transfer. This test should be done even if menstrual bleeding occurs since there is still a good possibility of an ongoing pregnancy.
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