The IVF Egg Retrieval Process:
In an effort to collect a sufficient amount of viable eggs for the in vitro fertilization or IVF process, the female is stimulated with fertility drug injections according to the appropriate IVF protocols to help mature several ovarian follicles and promote multiple healthy eggs to develop. These injections are usually administered by the woman or her partner.
The eggs will mature in fluid filled sac like structures inside of the ovaries which are known as follicles. Each on of these follicles contains a microscopic egg and can be seen and tracked by an ultrasound. The egg sits loosley attached to the wall of the follicle.
when the follicles have matured, which can be determined by measuring your hormone levels or with an ultrasound, the IVF egg retrieval procedure is performed to collect the eggs from the ovaries. During the procedure, the patient will recieve a powerful anesthesia through an IV that will knock her out during the retrieval process. The patient will not remember of feel anything. The actual IVF egg retrieval is performed by using a needle to pass through the vaginal canal with the guidance of an ultrasound, in order to reach the ovary and its follicles. The fluid inside of the sack is aspirated using the needle and results in the egg detaching itself from the follicle wall. The egg is then essentially sucked out of the follicle with the needle. This entire IVF egg retrieval procedure usually takes around 5 to 10 minutes.
The fluid containing the eggs are then sent to the IVF lab where the retrieved eggs will be evaluated and placed in petri dishes which are stored in special IVF incubators that remain in a carefully controlled environment until they are ready for fertilization.
After the IVF egg retrieval process the patient will be closely monitored for about an hour and then be discharged and able to go home.
About 4 hours after the IVF egg retrieval procedure is completed, sperm will be mixed in with the eggs or be directly injected into eggs individually (this is known as ICSI) in hopes that an embryo will result. The next day the eggs will be checked to see if fertilization has occurred and embryos have resulted.
These newly created embryos will then be cultured in a lab for around 2 to 5 days before they will be transferred to the woman’s uterus through the IVF embryo implantation procedure.
Approximately two weeks after the IVF egg retrieval procedure the woman will be given a pregnancy to test her HCG hormone levels to determine if the IVF process worked an conception has occurred. To learn about things you can do to increase the success of the IVF egg retrieval and implantation process you will definately want to check out The IVF Success Guide.
