Egg Retrieval Side Effects

Are there any egg retrieval side effects?

The egg retrieval procedure at Bay IVF only takes a few minutes (usually 5 to 10) and is very safe. It typically has no complications or side effects.

We use comfortable conscious sedation for analgesia. As a result, most of our patients sleep through the brief procedure without the need for general anesthesia. This way, any potential risks and side effects of general anesthesia are avoided.

Since 1985, we have performed many thousands of egg retrievals and gained extensive experience in retrieving eggs from the ovaries.

Theoretical egg retrieval side effects may include:

• Infection: Bacteria normally present in the vagina may be inadvertently transferred into the abdominal cavity by the needle. The estimated incidence of infection after egg retrieval is less than 1 in 1,000. Prophylactic antibiotics are used before the egg retrieval procedure to reduce the risk of pelvic or abdominal infection.
• Bleeding: The needle passes through the vaginal wall and into the ovary to obtain the eggs. Both of these structures contain blood vessels. The incidence of significant bleeding problems has been estimated to be less than 1 in 1,000.
• Trauma: Despite the use of ultrasound guidance, there is a very slight risk of damaging other intra-abdominal organs during egg retrieval.
• Analgesia: The use of analgesia during egg retrieval can produce unintended complications such as an allergic reaction, low blood pressure, and nausea or vomiting.
• Failure: It is possible that egg retrieval will fail to obtain any eggs, or the eggs retrieved may be abnormal or of poor quality, leading to the failure to produce a viable pregnancy.

In conclusion, egg retrieval side effects are infrequent. Oocyte retrieval is a very safe procedure, especially when the use of general anesthesia is avoided.