Preparing for Egg Retrieval Procedureby Pattie Hughes | More from this Blogger 21 Feb 2009 08:19 PM Egg retrieval is an integral part of the IVF cycle. Throughout the first half of the cycle, you will take fertility drugs to stimulate the development of several eggs. There are a few different injectable medications on the market that are used for this purpose. Your doctor will determine the most effective drug for you. As the eggs are developing, you will be monitored by transvaginal ultrasound and blood work to track your hormone levels. When the eggs are ripened, the egg retrieval procedure will be scheduled. The retrieval generally takes place in the infertility clinic. The procedure is known as egg aspiration. You will be given IV and local anesthesia, so you won't be awake for the procedure. Once you are out, the doctor will insert a needle through the vagina and to the ovaries. Ultrasound is used to guide the doctor in retrieving the eggs. After the retrieval, the anesthesia is allowed to wear off. You will awaken without any memory of the procedure. In most cases, you will be monitored in the office for at least an hour and then will be allowed to return home. In a few days, you will return to the clinic for the embryo transfer. Your eggs will be taken to an embryologist for examination. The embryologist will examine the eggs and determine which are healthy and ripe enough to be used in the IVF procedure. A few hours after the retrieval procedure, your eggs will be mixed with sperm from your partner and put into an incubator. Over the next few days, the embryologist will monitor and evaluate the eggs to determine which are fertilized and developing properly. These will be used in the IVF procedure and some may be frozen for use in future cycles. Related Articles: What is In Vitro Fertilization? Is it Worth it to Try ART More Than Once? Learn more about Pattie Hughes  Pattie Hughes is a freelance writer and mother of four young children. She and her husband have been married since 1992. Pattie holds a degree in Elementary Education from Florida Atlantic University. Relevantpregnancy tags User Comments threeDsono (5) 22 Feb 2009 02:13 PMSingle embryo transfers (in particularly) require accuracy and precision in placement within the uterine cavity. "The Maximal Implantation Potential (MIP) Point" is the optimal target for embryo placement. The MIP point can only be identified using 3D/4D ultrasound. It has been shown in a series of over 5,000 cases that "3D/4D Ultrasound - Guided Embryo Transfer" was associated with an overall increase of pregnancy rates by more than 10 percent. Upgrading to this novel technology during embryo transfer will benefit any patient seeing to maximize her chances for a success. More info and video on www.3Dsono.com » Discuss this article
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