Can you walk me through retrieval day?

Mine will most likely be the end of this week, or this weekend, and I want to be prepared. Can you share your experiences, please?

Re: Can you walk me through retrieval day?

It truly was a lot less stressful then I thought...We arrived at the office 1 hour before so DH could drop off his sample (did it at home). They called me in for a quick sonogram to make sure things looked good. The IVF nurse then walked us to the procedure waiting area. 15 minutes before I went into the OR, the nurse came & got me to bring us in the back so I could change into my hospital gown...I waited there for the anesthelogist. Then I kissed DH goodbye, walked with the anesthelogist to the OR & got up on the table...We were all chit chatting as they did the IV....Before I knew it, I was waking up in recovery (12:05). I went under around 11:35....

Stayed in recovery for less then 15 minutes, nurse showed us the PIO shot & then made me get up & see if I could pee....As long as I could, I was free to go! We were in the car on the way home by 12:30

Re: Can you walk me through retrieval day?

Posted by Kissy331

It truly was a lot less stressful then I thought...We arrived at the office 1 hour before so DH could drop off his sample (did it at home). They called me in for a quick sonogram to make sure things looked good. The IVF nurse then walked us to the procedure waiting area. 15 minutes before I went into the OR, the nurse came & got me to bring us in the back so I could change into my hospital gown...I waited there for the anesthelogist. Then I kissed DH goodbye, walked with the anesthelogist to the OR & got up on the table...We were all chit chatting as they did the IV....Before I knew it, I was waking up in recovery (12:05). I went under around 11:35....

Stayed in recovery for less then 15 minutes, nurse showed us the PIO shot & then made me get up & see if I could pee....As long as I could, I was free to go! We were in the car on the way home by 12:30

Re: Can you walk me through retrieval day?

It's not as bad as I thought it would be. Trust me, if I could get through it, you can - I'm the world's biggest baby. I was more afraid of the IV than anything else, but I have a trick for you that will help.

My retreival was scheduled for 7:30am. I got there at 6:30am. When I got there I told the nurse I am petrified of the IV and will likely pass out - she assured me I wouldn't and told me she wouldn't do the IV until the last possible moment.

In the meantime, I changed my clothes and got into the gown. She let me lay down on the bed and watch TV while she took my vitals. Then, she put numbing cream on my arm where the IV would go, and then gave me a heating pad to put on top of that, to make the vein pop. During that time, anesthesiology came in to chat with me.

She let me chill for 20 minutes, then came back in to do the IV, and because she had used the numbing cream, I didn't even feel it! I asked her to get it over with already and it had already been done! Then I stood up, and she walked me over, with the IV, into the operating room.

I laid down on the bed and in the room was the nurse, the anesthesiologist, my RE and an assistant. The anesthesiologist told I would get sleepy so I closed my eyes as they started to get heavy.

Next thing I know I'm in the recovery room, waking up to the nurse saying my name. Immediately when I woke up I felt like I had to pee like it was no one's business. The nurse said it was just the sensation from the catheter, but she gave me a bedpan and I actually did have to pee.

The RE came in, told me how many eggs they retrieved and DH came in.

I rested for 20 minutes, drank some juice, then got up to use the bathroom, and then they released me.

Good luck!!!

Re: Can you walk me through retrieval day?

Posted by JennyPenny

Posted by Kissy331

It truly was a lot less stressful then I thought...We arrived at the office 1 hour before so DH could drop off his sample (did it at home). They called me in for a quick sonogram to make sure things looked good. The IVF nurse then walked us to the procedure waiting area. 15 minutes before I went into the OR, the nurse came & got me to bring us in the back so I could change into my hospital gown...I waited there for the anesthelogist. Then I kissed DH goodbye, walked with the anesthelogist to the OR & got up on the table...We were all chit chatting as they did the IV....Before I knew it, I was waking up in recovery (12:05). I went under around 11:35....

Stayed in recovery for less then 15 minutes, nurse showed us the PIO shot & then made me get up & see if I could pee....As long as I could, I was free to go! We were in the car on the way home by 12:30

Where do you go, if you don't mind my asking?

Re: Can you walk me through retrieval day?

I asked about this at my last visit...I usually have a difficult time with the cathether during my IUI's, my cervix isn't centered...they said they would give me a rx for valium for before the transfer, a low dosage just to relax me. They said it's very common and will help the cervix to move back where it's supposed to be.

Maybe ask for it if you think you may need it for discomfort.

Re: Can you walk me through retrieval day?

This is a great post and I am three weeks from posting the same thing. Thanks to all who responded.