Egg collection

I figure if this blog is to be of any interest or use to anyone I might as well describe exactly what the IVF experience has been like for me. That is not to say that my experience is definitive, but in hindsight I would have liked to talk to someone about what to expect. I’ve gone into this thing with only the basic, official information.

So I’m back sitting at my computer with a pretty bloated belly and a slightly dizzy feeling. It’s 1:30pm. I got to the clinic at 9:00am. I had my details double checked, signed some forms, put on a gown, took off my undies, and had visits from a couple of nurses and the scientist who explained the procedure.  My doctor arrived at about 9:25 and I was in stirrups at 9:30. She doesn’t mess around.

My partner was there the whole time which was really good for me – I wouldn’t have wanted to do this by myself, but I know some people do, for various reasons. He was the only boy in the room. It was me, the doctor, a nurse and a scientist.

I had the sedative in my hand and it made me feel numb and dizzy. To my left was the ultrasound monitor and Big H was sitting to my right. All up I was in there for about half an hour. At first there was a lot of putting-in-of-things, which was uncomfortable – like a pap smear, but not terrible. Once the collection was happening, the doctor did a lot of wiggling and jiggling with the needle as she was sucking out the fluid, which was a bit odd. At times this was pretty painful – I’ll be honest. If you have any experience with meditation or deep breathing techniques, I strongly suggest you prepare to utilise them. I found once I let go and focused on my breathing, it got easier.  It also hurt when the needle went through the cervix, but not for long.

Once we got going, the nurse was putting all the fluid into test-tubes and the scientist was collecting them as we went. Directly opposite me on the wall was a large monitor which showed exactly what the scientist was seeing. Lots of bits and pieces, bloody, membraney looking stuff… and in the end, four eggs.

Not a lot, four… but better than nothing. The scientist was shouting out the count as we went so I knew what we were heading for. They wheeled me into recovery before she had quite finished but she came in soon after to let us know that was it. I was fine until I read on her face that she was disappointed. Then I felt flat.

Big H did his thing and after a cup of tea and some raisin toast, some antibiotics and some codeine pain killers – thank you, lovely, attentive nurses – I slowly and carefully got out of my reclining chair and went to the change room.

By the time we got to the car park I was feeling kind of tired, a bit crampy but ok. I did however cancel an appointment for this afternoon, as I’m not sure I can concentrate the way I would need to.

Maybe the drugs haven’t worn off yet, but I’m feeling ok. As about 5 people said at various times during the morning; “you only need one!”.

So now we wait for the fertilisation report tomorrow morning. I don’t know how I’ll get through the week. They were talking about a day 5 transfer. Saturday seems a long way off.