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What Happens At Egg Retrieval
By: Dorothy E. Mitchell-Leef, M.D.
After completing the full course of ovulation induction medications (gonadotropins and GnRh agonists) and receiving hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) to mature follicles that have been developed, the egg retrieval is performed. The patient is given intravenous sedation, depending on the patient's desires to be awake or asleep during the procedure.
The patient is then taken to the Operating Room, where the anesthesiologist who administers the IV sedation is in attendance. The egg retrieval is then performed after the vagina is prepped and a probe inserted. A needle guide is inserted along the vaginal probe, and under direct ultrasound visualization the needle is directed into the ovary to aspirate the egg from each follicle. Once all follicles have been aspirated from one ovary, the needle is repositioned to remove the eggs from the other ovary. It must be remembered that not every follicle has a egg (oocyte) present. Occasionally the follicle must be flushed with special media to help remove the eggs. Each time follicular fluid is aspirated, it is placed in the laboratory where the embryologists evaluate the fluid for the presence or absence of eggs. Once all the oocytes have been collected, the embryologists will then incubate the eggs with sperm, or perform ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) if a male factor is present. Once the procedure is completed, the patient is taken to the Recovery Room for 30 minutes, and is then discharged home.
Copyright 1996. The American Surrogacy Center, Inc.(TASC), Marietta, GA
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