Egg retrieval

[Jess800]

Just a question for you girls who have gone through IVF.  Is the egg retrieval process painful?  Also, after the transfer- how soon can you resume regular activity?

[Jess800]

Thanks girls!!!

So I will plan 2 days off work for the retrieval and  2 for the transfer.  My RE mentioned something about progesterone suppositories- is that different than (or in addition to) shots.  Also- my doc said a 3 day transfer but I've read 5 day can be better....what is true?  What are the antibiotics for?  During the pre- retrieval drugs- do you guys normally have early morning appointments?  Also- RE said I need to come in for 2 tests- sonohystogam or something with saline?  and a mock transfer?  How are these??
Also- has anyone told their boss about the process and missing work?  Any suggestions on how or what to tell?

Thanks everyone!!
Maria- congrats!!!!! you give me such hope!!!!

Booklyn, KM andLM- good luck

[lmcrt]

Hi there......I take it your DH's urology appt. didn't go as well as you would have liked. So you will be doing IVF huh????? Well welcome aboard. I go in on Wednesday for my egg retrieval. My Re said I will have no pain during the procedure, but slight cramping afterwards is possible along with drowsiness from the anesthesia. I have to say though I am freaking more about the progesterone in oil shots. I don't know how I'm going to do it. The shots I am doing now are not that bad. I take lupron which is pretty painless and then Bravelle and menopur mixed together in one shot and that one really burns. After the retrieval I start medrol(steriod pill), z-pak(antibiotic pill), and progesterone in oil, progesterone suppositories and estrogen patches. Before I started the IVF drugs I had to be on birth control pills for 3 wks to suppress the ovaries.
Good luck with your journey, keep us posted.

[Maria2707]

Egg retrieval is not painful at all. In fact you wont even know when the process of retrieval is going on as you will be under anesthesia.  After the retrieval they will put you in a recovery room. Once you are awake they would give you tylenol. You will have little, spotting like period. You might experience cramping like periods. Take rest that day and if possible next day too and after that you are fine. Your nurse will give you proper instruction before and after he retrieval.

Yes progesterone shots are painful. You are supposed to start progesterone in oil shots the day after retrieval.  My doctor prescribed a cream that I am supposed to apply on the injection sight an hour before. I dont feel a thing when my DH gives me the shot. But it does pain the next day. You will bear all this pain to get what you want.  You will continue with the shots for 12 weeks if you get BFP.

Also you might be asked to take medrol(antibiotic) for five days from retrieval day. Good luck!!

[brooklyn_gal]

Sorry :( .. I found the egg retrievals painful.  It took me over an hour to recover from anesthesia and they had to give me pain killers via IV and I was on Tylenol for 24 hours.

But I have to admit the progesterone shots are painful too - but my RE has me alternating between the shots and the capsule.  

My RE's policy is - after the transfer,
- take it easy for couple of days.
- No intercourse until beta
    - if beta is negative - resume intercourse
    - if beta is positive - no intercourse until first heart beat via ultrasound.
- assume you're pregnant.

Good luck!

[Jess800]

Thank you!  We are so excited to finally get the process started.  We have MF so we will be doing IVF with ICSI.  It has been (and continues to be) a long road but we stay hopeful.

Take care and good luck to you too!!!!

[kmcarino]

No, the egg retrieval is not painful.  For me, the IV and the progesterone shots were the worst part.  Some doctors tell you to lay down and relax for 24 hours after the transfer which is probably the best thing to do.  Others just tell you to take it easy for the day of the transfer.  But you aren't supposed to have intercourse for like 7-10 days.  Good luck!