Ovarian rupture or twisting of the ovary may occur as well. Although very unusual, surgery may be necessary should either of these conditions develop. As with the administration of any injectable medication, there is the possibility of systemic allergic reaction as well as pain, bleeding, infection, or local injury at the injection site. Mild discomfort and possibly a bruise, bleeding, infection or scar at the needle sites may be associated with blood drawing and injections of medication. The need for repeated ultrasound examinations and hormone tests on at least a daily basis during the days of monitoring requires the woman's presence in the Washington, D.C. local area for several days prior to and after the expected time of egg collection.
Conscious sedation is used for pain relief during the egg retrieval.
The egg retrieval takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes. A vaginal ultrasound probe with a needle guide attached is placed into the vagina and the ovaries are visualized on the ultrasound screen. After cleansing the vagina with sterile saline, an aspiration needle is passed along the needle guide and through the vaginal wall alongside the cervix. Under visualization on the ultrasound screen, the needle is directed in turn into each follicle in the ovary. The fluid contents of the follicle are aspirated into small tubes and given to our IVF laboratory for evaluation to find the egg.