To request conscious sedation for egg retrieval (IVF)

[SquashedSquashess]

I have IVF coming up in the next few months.

Our NHS IVF clinic offers only gas and air as standard for the egg retrieval procedure. Our nurse was emphatic that this is clinically effective, and has persuaded my husband (who won’t be having a needle repeatedly jabbed through his uterus wall into his ovaries) that this is fine.

A friend of mine who has been through IVF recommended sedation, and seemed shocked I’d only be offered gas and air.

I’m concerned that, as with so much in women’s health, this “clinically effective” option is offered to keep costs down without any consideration of whether it’s best for me.

In addition, I previously had PTSD from a rape which I’ve overcome. I’ve been through various intrusive procedures on the IVF journey without incident, but don’t fancy the prospect of being re-triggered if gas and air is going to result in the egg retrieval process being both invasive and painful.

Grateful for any insights from others that have been through this.

YABU: gas and air will be fine
YANBU: request the sedation

I strongly disagree. I have no problems with a smear, but egg retrieval was the most painful thing I’ve ever experienced.

Had this a couple months ago (currently pregnant with my IVF baby and wishing you all the luck). You need to be sedated. I had twlight sedation and it was lovely and I felt totally fine as soon as I came out.

I’ve had multiple procedures without twilight sleep (D&C, scar tissue removal twice from my uterus) and I now refuse to do any gyno procedures like that again without being put under. It’s horrible and painful and I am so sick of women having to put up with painful procedures to save money.

Want to add to this that I was given diazepam an hour before my embryo implantation and it was lovely! I was aware of what was happening, felt very relaxed and pain free and was able to enjoy the process. Truly an amazing experience to see your little embryo and watch it be implanted.

They also told me to take diazepam that evening and I had a really wonderful rest!

More I think about this and was 10yrs ago - I think I blanked it out

had to look at ivf notes

first one was painful and dh said he heard me next door in pain

I kinda rem this now he’s said it - so I did mind blank it

and they did give me something to make me dopey for the second and third

so apologies

but wasn’t iv drugs so maybe was a diazepam

but didn’t have anything for the 5 transplants . That bit was fine and like a smear

so yes request sedation

It's all to do with ease and cost for the NHS . I would ask for sedation , I've had sedation for many procedures and have never had ill effects from it .

all my ivf were private so don’t know if makes any diff in how they do it as im paying for it

Mine were all private too but still only gas & air!

I had two, both on fentanyl. The first one I completely blacked out and I was out of it for a while. The second one I remember coming round and screaming because it hurt, and that one they didn't finish getting all the eggs, which was annoying. I don't think I would have fancied gas and air if that's less effective, because it was painful enough when I woke up in the middle of the second one.

I would say, make sure whoever comes with you is there to listen to whatever you're told - both times with me they told me stuff immediately afterwards and I had no proper memory of it because I was still out of it.

Good luck!

I was definitely unconscious. I remember the anaesthetist joking about me being hardcore as I didn’t flinch when he put the IV in my hand, then I had to count backwards, fell asleep and woke up in recovery.