The Egg Retrieval Process
In order for a woman to produce enough eggs for the in vitro fertilization process, she needs to take hormones that stimulate her ovaries to develop multiple eggs. These hormones are administered by injections that are done at home either by the woman or her partner.
The Ovary Stimulated Drugs
Typically two types of drugs are used to stimulate the ovaries to produce more eggs. One medicine suppresses ovulation to prevent it from happening until doctors are ready to take eggs, and the second is to stimulate actual egg development. Lupron is the most commonly used follicle-stimulating medication used with IVF.
The drug is started around the 21st day of a woman's cycle. The drug is made out of a carefully balanced combination of the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and the luteinizing hormone (FH) meant to provide full control of egg development in the ovaries. It's injected under the skin into the abdomen or thigh. FSH stimulating hormones are then used and the development of the follicles is closely monitored approximately every two days by blood and ultrasound testing.
When testing shows the woman's follicles are mature, the egg retrieval process is performed. This is also called the egg aspiration procedure.
Retrieving the Eggs
Most clinics will try to get eight to 15 eggs during the retrieval procedure. The follicle needs to be mature before it can be removed so doctors will carefully monitor the size with ultrasounds. A mature egg is considered one that is about 15 to 20 millimeters wide.
Anesthesia is administered. The type is determined ahead of time by the woman. Often anesthesia is administered by IV so that the woman is completely unconscious during the procedure. She will have no memory of the event and will feel no pain, but she will still be breathing on her own. Conscious sedation is also an option. Some clinics offer local anesthesia as well.
The doctor uses an ultrasound to guide a needle through the top of the vagina to reach the ovary and follicles. The fluid in the follicles is removed so the eggs detach from the follicle wall. The eggs are then sucked out of the ovary.
The procedure takes about ten minutes. After the woman awakes, she is discharged and closely monitored for about an hour. She is then released and may experience mild to moderate cramping for a few hours. Pain medication may be prescribed.
After the Egg Retrieval
The eggs and the removed fluid are taken to the IVF lab. The eggs are identified. They are then being rinsed in culture media and placed in plastic culture dishes to be stored in specialized IVF incubators. The incubators have carefully controlled environmental conditions to keep the eggs healthy.
