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Original poster

Egg retrieval without sedation

77 replies

Aylah1 · 18/07/2023 01:28

Hi ladies,

I just started stims last night and I'm getting so much anxiety thinking about egg retrieval as my clinic is a low cost clinic and does not do sedation/anesthesia. I will only be given 10mg of Valium orally before the procedure.
Has anyone done this and can share their experience with me please?
Thank you.

OP posts:
notanicepersonapparently · 18/07/2023 08:08

I suppose it’s also possible that I was given intravenous sedation once I was in the operating theatre but that I was unaware of it. It was a long time ago and it was a bit of a blur.

Hop27 · 18/07/2023 08:13

OP I will personally deliver opiate pain meds to you, DO NOT DO THIS ON VALIUM ALONE !!!!
Do you have any allergies or reactions to meds?
Step 1 - call your clinic tomorrow ask if they will give you a local (be warned that stings)
Step 2 - on the same call ask if the green whistle is available
Step 3 - go to your GP tell them the procedure your having done and ask for a script of Panadine fort or Endone (make sure the appointment is in person, with a doctor who has seen you before or they can't prescribe)
Any GP with a heart will give you a small dose of pain meds.
(Also in OZ, did awake collection once - nearly bit clean through the green whistle would not recommend, but if you have to take panadol prior - GOOD LUCK)

Hop27 · 18/07/2023 08:14

10mg of Valium will do very little.

Hop27 · 18/07/2023 08:15

And you will be able to pay for the green whistle or sedation it just won't be bulk billed.

BritInAus · 18/07/2023 10:30

I'm also in Aus. Can I ask which state and clinic this is? I thought it was very unusual in Aus to not have sedation. Surely you can pay the $300 ish extra to have an anaesthetist present to sedate you?

Original poster
Aylah1 · 18/07/2023 13:54

BritInAus · 18/07/2023 10:30

I'm also in Aus. Can I ask which state and clinic this is? I thought it was very unusual in Aus to not have sedation. Surely you can pay the $300 ish extra to have an anaesthetist present to sedate you?

I am in NSW. I would have definitely paid extra for anesthesia if it was available. They said they will offer the laughing gas during the procedure which will last only about 10 minutes.

OP posts:
Original poster
Aylah1 · 18/07/2023 13:58

Hop27 · 18/07/2023 08:15

And you will be able to pay for the green whistle or sedation it just won't be bulk billed.

I have blood test on Friday. I will definitely ask again with a different the nurse. They said they will offer the laughing gas and panadeine forte apart from the Valium, I'm hoping this helps a bit. I was extremely down and anxious after reading all the comments but I'm already half way through stims, I can't change clinic. So, I'll put a brave face on and pray it's not as bad 🤞😅

OP posts:
Hop27 · 18/07/2023 23:06

You'll be fine on laughing gas and PF (take ibuprofen too) and Valium. If your worried ask the Dr to give you low grade Valium for before you get to the clinic or Endone.
Good luck OP 💕

3luckystars · 18/07/2023 23:12

Just, if you do get the gas, keep your eyes closed. It really works if you keep your eyes closed. All the best.

Original poster
Aylah1 · 18/07/2023 23:35

Hop27 · 18/07/2023 23:06

You'll be fine on laughing gas and PF (take ibuprofen too) and Valium. If your worried ask the Dr to give you low grade Valium for before you get to the clinic or Endone.
Good luck OP 💕

Thank you so much, that makes me feel better 🤞🙏♥️

OP posts:
Original poster
Aylah1 · 18/07/2023 23:36

3luckystars · 18/07/2023 23:12

Just, if you do get the gas, keep your eyes closed. It really works if you keep your eyes closed. All the best.

Thank you for the tip, I was worried the laughing gas didn't work when I had my son. I will definitely keep my eyes closed this time 💕

OP posts:
CC4712 · 19/07/2023 00:04

TBH- I'm shocked. I assumed you were from a developing country OP!!! Where in NSW is this??? A small, country town? Is it a hospital? A little clinic?

Pre-covid, I used to work between Sydney and London each year and had TTC and fertility investigations in both places. I looked into IVF in Sydney, and the 2 places I looked at in detail did egg retrieval at their local, private hospital- with proper sedation and anesthetists. They never mentioned just taking a valium! Not saying its not possible, but valium can make you feel sleepy (for MANY hours due to the long half life)- but its not an analgesia or amnesic!

I ended up have rounds of IVF in the UK, each time with what they called twilight sedation. There was an anaesthetist I met beforehand to ask about any previous issues, allergies, dental issues just incase etc and was given a light sedation via IV in a theatre like room within the fertility clinic. I felt nothing at all, had no pain after, no recollection of anything and was up and out within the hour. It wasn't as heavy as a general, but I was indeed completely out of it.

OP- I'd be asking what happens if you find the pain too much? What is their plan B? Do they have an anaesthetist onsite at all times if you do need a proper sedation? Is any of this in their T&C's? Best of luck whatever you decide.

Original poster
Aylah1 · 19/07/2023 00:14

CC4712 · 19/07/2023 00:04

TBH- I'm shocked. I assumed you were from a developing country OP!!! Where in NSW is this??? A small, country town? Is it a hospital? A little clinic?

Pre-covid, I used to work between Sydney and London each year and had TTC and fertility investigations in both places. I looked into IVF in Sydney, and the 2 places I looked at in detail did egg retrieval at their local, private hospital- with proper sedation and anesthetists. They never mentioned just taking a valium! Not saying its not possible, but valium can make you feel sleepy (for MANY hours due to the long half life)- but its not an analgesia or amnesic!

I ended up have rounds of IVF in the UK, each time with what they called twilight sedation. There was an anaesthetist I met beforehand to ask about any previous issues, allergies, dental issues just incase etc and was given a light sedation via IV in a theatre like room within the fertility clinic. I felt nothing at all, had no pain after, no recollection of anything and was up and out within the hour. It wasn't as heavy as a general, but I was indeed completely out of it.

OP- I'd be asking what happens if you find the pain too much? What is their plan B? Do they have an anaesthetist onsite at all times if you do need a proper sedation? Is any of this in their T&C's? Best of luck whatever you decide.

I'm actually in Sydney and the clinic is a small low cost clinic affiliated with IVF Australia but much less expensive. All the specialists are the same from IVF Australia. When I go on Friday for blood test, I will ask about what happens if I can't tolerate the pain or I have a panic attack during the procedure. These are my worries because the more I think about it, the more my anxiety level goes up the roof.

OP posts:
GodspeedJune · 19/07/2023 00:21

I don’t want to scare you, but the women I saw coming back from their retrievals who did have sedation were sobbing! Doing it without sedation sounds utterly barbaric. I had a general anaesthetic and would do the same again, it was only about £500 extra.

CC4712 · 19/07/2023 00:28

I assume some women cope with just valium, (otherwise they wouldnt offer it) but I would certainly be asking what is their plan B. Is the collection in a hospital where an anaesthetist backup is an option- even for an additional fee? How much extra is regular IVF compared to this low cost option?

Mummyoflittledragon · 19/07/2023 00:57

I accidentally had egg retrieval on no meds. As in the local anaesthetic hadn’t kicked in for the first ovary but had by the second. It was really, really painful and I almost passed out. All I remember is my gynae pushing the chair back so that I was fully prostrate. This was an unsuccessful cycle and the gynae said the following time he’d wait 10 mins as the local anaesthetic took longer to kick in for me than most.

I gave birth on just gas and air. I also had an episiotomy and was stitched up on just gas and air so as long as you’ve got this, you’ll be fine.

DifficultBloodyWoman · 19/07/2023 03:18

OP, I also had IVF in Australia. I’m stunned that you have been offered egg retrieval without sedation! Even if it is a cheap Charlie clinic, they WILL have the ability to arrange an anaesthetist albeit at an extra cost to you. I would imagine in the region of $500. In your shoes, I would absolutely insist on it.

I was very sick after the first egg retrieval. I thought it was overstimulation but they said it was more likely too much anaesthetic and pain relief. I was in absolute agony afterwards. Second egg retrieval was also under sedation but no pain and no negative after effects. Just letting you know that it can vary from cycle to cycle even for the same woman.

DifficultBloodyWoman · 19/07/2023 03:21

I wonder if there has been a miscommunication with the nurses regarding being a bulk billing patient? I’m pretty sure that anaesthetic for egg retrieval cannot be bulk billed. But, again, the clinic will still be able to arrange an anaesthetist for you.

MrsTerryPratchett · 19/07/2023 03:25

I swear I used to have 10mg of Valium for flying. If I could still walk, talk and be allowed on a flight, it isn't a lot.

Gremlinsateit · 19/07/2023 03:36

Hi OP, I would also say ring the clinic to check, as you did get different info from the 2 nurses. I reckon if you have valium plus gas plus panadeine forte it will be a similar effect to twilight sedation. I did twilight sedation with a dr who later went to IVF Aust, and didn’t love it, possibly because of previous surgical scarring and other issues, but it wasn’t unbearable.

Seddon · 19/07/2023 03:47

MrsTerryPratchett · 19/07/2023 03:25

I swear I used to have 10mg of Valium for flying. If I could still walk, talk and be allowed on a flight, it isn't a lot.

Same! Combined with 2 x panadeine forte though (that's 60mg codeine) I'd struggle to stay awake. I'm still not sure it's enough to kill off acute pain but you'd be super stoned so probably wouldn't care or remember.

Augend23 · 19/07/2023 04:02

I don't have experience with sedation or retrievals etc, but I think you were misled about the procedure if they said there would be "Twilight sedation" available and are now saying it won't be. I would be tempted to ring them up ASAP to fully discuss as if you didn't have all the info, how could you consent when you agreed to pay?

Loreleii · 19/07/2023 04:22

OP - can you look up online reviews/forum discussions for this particular clinic? If the usual pain relief procedure is ineffective I'd expect the previous patients would be complaining about it. Hopefully it's just a miscommunication on their part.

Original poster
Aylah1 · 19/07/2023 04:32

Loreleii · 19/07/2023 04:22

OP - can you look up online reviews/forum discussions for this particular clinic? If the usual pain relief procedure is ineffective I'd expect the previous patients would be complaining about it. Hopefully it's just a miscommunication on their part.

I just called the clinic to request anaesthesia but they said this is not an option at the clinic. They said the combination of Valium and panadeine forte along with the laughing gas will make me feel very sleepy and I will only feel pain when the needle goes through my ovaries twice. They said the only other option was for them to transfer me to IVF Australia which is 5 times more expensive. I looked at reviews online before paying for the cycle and there were only good reviews.

OP posts:
Original poster
Aylah1 · 19/07/2023 04:35

Augend23 · 19/07/2023 04:02

I don't have experience with sedation or retrievals etc, but I think you were misled about the procedure if they said there would be "Twilight sedation" available and are now saying it won't be. I would be tempted to ring them up ASAP to fully discuss as if you didn't have all the info, how could you consent when you agreed to pay?

I think I was so fixated on having a sibling for my son who is already 6 that I jumped in immediately, not thinking about anything. I honestly thought it was twilight sedation before this was clarified by another nurse. They did say the combination of panadeine forte, Valium and laughing gas will make me feel very sleepy.

OP posts: