Egg collection (Embryo Retrieval) & ICSI
The egg collection process is mostly taken into the program by the start of stimulation medication
ns for an IVF or Egg Freezing treatment. Egg collection (oocyte retrieval) and ICSI (Injecting the sperm into the egg) are the second step of IVF (In vitro fertilization) treatment. The egg collection procedure can be done 34 to 36 hours after the final injection and before ovulation. It is safe and relatively risk-free.
Egg/oocyte retrieval is done usually with the help of transvaginal ultrasound, rarely abdominal ultrasound may be used together to guide the needle. The procedure takes approximately 20 minutes to collect multiple eggs.
Egg retrieval has to be done in a clinic environment, in an operating theatre. During egg retrieval, you’ll be sedated and given pain medication. In some rare cases, the individual needs to go under deep sedation. In such cases instead of general anesthesia, monitored anesthesia is preferred. Monitored anesthesia offers deep sedation and a much faster recovery time than general anesthesia.
Is Retrieval of Eggs Painful?
To identify follicles, an ultrasound probe is inserted into the individual’s vagina. Your doctor will collect eggs, with the help of a thin needle inserted into the ultrasound guide. This part of the treatment may cause pain but as the individual is under some form of sedation, she will not feel it that much.
Egg Retrieval Recovery: To Do’s and Don’ts
Take it easy, relax and enjoy your time. After egg retrieval, most of the individuals feel back to normal by the next day. Till you feel okay it’s important to rest and relax at home.
One of the most common side effects the individual report after egg retrieval surgery is constipation. Paying attention to your diet, liquid feeding, and drinking much more water than usual will help a little to handle constipation.
You can expect to experience some pain after egg retrieval, your doctor will recommend some pain relievers that will help you through the process.
The other major side effects of egg retrieval are bloating and cramping, breast tenderness, mild soreness in the vaginal area, discharge, or some spots.
After egg retrieval, there are several things that the individual has to pay attention to. As ovaries are still enlarged during this time and maybe tender, you must protect them on the day and the day after egg retrieval. Therefore you have to stay away from sexual intercourse for at least 2 weeks.
It’s recommended not to do any heavy lifting vigorous exercise or high-impact activities. Instead, you may walk and do some light activities that you usually do. Just like before egg retrieval, you must avoid alcohol or caffeine after egg retrieval. Tub baths, hot tubs, Jacuzzis, and swimming are forbidden from the time of the egg retrieval until after the pregnancy test.
How Long After Egg Retrieval is ICSI Done?
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a part of the Vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure. ICSI has two steps. The first step is getting semen specimens and collecting eggs. The second step starts with the follicular fluid entering the laboratory. After the embryologist conducts a “search” for the eggs, which are then placed in the incubator, approximately 50 thousand spermatozoa are injected into each egg cell. This technique allows sperm to fertilize the egg. Over 70% of mature eggs will fertilize after ICSI.
Fertilization is carried out by concentrated sperm 4-6 hours after receiving the eggs. Your doctor will plan the timing for getting semen specimen according to the woman’s ovulation cycle. Probably this will be the day that egg retrieval will be performed. To obtain optimal sperm quality for the IVF procedure it’s recommended to abstain from intercourse for at least two days prior to the egg collection but not more than 6 days.
The ICSI technique has been revolutionary in treating male factor infertility cases. If the sperm parameters do not meet the requirements of standard IVF or previous IVF attempts were unsuccessful, then ICSI treatment can save your dreams.
How is ICSI different from IVF?
The main difference between IVF and ICSI is the methods used on fertilizing the eggs. IVF is a conventional insemination method.
In the IVF method, healthy sperm and mature eggs are both put in a petri dish for fertilization on their own. In this treatment, although much motile sperm reach the egg and many sperm binds to the outer shell or zona pellucida only one single sperm enters the eggs.
In the ICSI method, the fertilization is done one by one by an embryologist. The embryologist directly injects the selected sperm into the egg.
If the semen quality or number is a problem IVF is not recommended as chances of failed fertilization are very high. For these individuals, ICSI is a better option as the sperm is given extra assistance.
