The main surgical procedure in your IVF cycle is the egg collection. You will also hear this procedure called egg pick-up, oocyte pick-up, OPU, and sometimes egg harvesting. They all mean the same thing

The procedure is carried out in an operating theatre. The doctor has a small needle (much smaller than it looks in this rather scary diagram) attached to an internal ultrasound probe. The device is inserted into the vagina and when in position, the needle is advanced so that it passes gently through the top wall of the vagina. 

Guided by the ultrasound (which you and your partner can see as well), the doctor inserts the needle into one follicle after another, draining the fluid from each through a tube.

A typical egg collection procedure takes about 20 minutes. During the procedure all that a woman is generally aware of is some pressure on the ovary, followed by an ache that subsides. About 1 in 20 women will experience sharp pain, although it is usually very short in duration. There’s often a small amount of bleeding from the wall of the vagina. Other complications such as major bleeding, damage to an internal organ or infection are possible, but rare.

After the follicles have been emptied they often fill up again with fluid, so the feeling of fullness may return. Some women also complain of a cramping sensation for a few days following egg collection. This can be relieved with paracetamol (with or without codeine).

Side effects are often more marked after the procedure, as the hormone processes following ovulation persist, even though the eggs have been taken out. These side effects include mood changes as before, but also physical effects indicative of heightened ovulation such as pronounced abdominal swelling, breast tenderness and lower abdominal discomfort.

Anaesthesia

There are two options for pain management during the procedure. The first is a combination of sedation and local anaesthetic. The other is general anaesthesia.

The vast majority of egg collections at Sydney IVF are performed under local anaesthetic with mild sedation. Some women may prefer a general anaesthetic and we can usually accommodate this wish, but we cannot guarantee this option if egg collection falls on a weekend.

There are a number of advantages in being awake for the procedure, including:

• General anaesthesia carries higher risks and uncertainties
• It is an amazing and special experience to see your eggs collected and sorted on the TV monitor
• Partners can be present to see and experience the procedure
• It takes less time to recover
• General anaesthesia will cost extra.

Egg preparation

Also in the theatre during the operation is your Sydney IVF embryologist. As the follicles are emptied the collected fluid is passed to the embryologist, who using a powerful microscope, begins locating and extracting the eggs, transferring them to special plastic dishes ready to be incubated. The microscope that the scientist uses is attached to a video camera, allowing you to watch it all happen.

Recovery

After your procedure, we will take you to the recovery room. If you have had a general anaesthetic, your partner can be with you as you wake. If you've had sedation or general anaesthesia, make arrangements for an adult to be responsible for you and to accompany you home. Do not plan to drive yourself or travel alone; it's unsafe to do so, no matter how well you feel. Be sure not to carry out any critical activities - such as driving a car, operating machinery, or signing important documents - for 24 hours from the time of your sedation or anaesthesia. It is not usually necessary to take time off work on the days following the procedures, but if you feel that you need a medical certificate, you can discuss this with the nurses.

If the male partner has an ESA or TESA operation at the same time as the female partner has her egg pick-up, you will need a third person to take you home.

In the very unlikely event that further surgery is needed for your safety, Sydney IVF day surgeries are fully equipped to handle emergencies.