EGG COLLECTION PROCEDURE
Egg collection is the process of getting the eggs from the ovaries. It lasts about 30 minutes and is practically painless, as it is done under analgesia-sedation. For this reason, the woman should be fasting. Using a transvaginal ultrasound to have a continuous image of the ovaries, the doctor inserts a thin needle through the wall of the vagina and punctures the follicles. The contents of each follicle are aspirated into special tubes and delivered to the embryological laboratory, where the embryologist examines the follicular fluid under the microscope, detects and collects the eggs.
The woman remains in the unit for 1–2 hours after the end of the egg collection. Then it would be advisable to avoid intense activity for that day.
Complications of egg collection are rare, occurring in about 3-5 per 1,000 cases and involve cases of bleeding, inflammation or intra-abdominal abscess. They are usually treated conservatively and rarely requires a surgical approach.
