Sedation for egg retrieval

[mrsawhite]

So I’ve just had the call to say ER is going to be Friday morning. I’ve been calm throughout this whole process. Now I’m not. I’ve never had anything like form of anaesthetic before. Is it conscious or deep sedation? The leaflet doesn’t say and I forgot to ask nurse. She just said I’d not know a thing about it. Eeek am worried now! I’m Glasgow royal infirmary if it makes a difference!

Hi 👋🏻
I've had 2 retrievals and both times it's felt like I fell asleep and I didn't remember a thing from it. I'm also GRI.

Once it's your turn, it feels like it all happens quite quickly, they take you into the treatment room and your asked to confirm your DOB and your partner's (if applicable - not sure of the process if you're using donor sperm). Then they put the cannula-thingy into your hand and that's more or less all I remember until I woke up back on the recovery ward.

I'm not sure whether they refer to it as conscious or deep sedation though. Sorry if that's not very helpful.

Thank you. How did you feel when you woke up?

@mrsawhite i was super anxious before my ER as I had also never had anything like that before! I had ‘deep sedation’ I think they called it and it was great, I remember she said my head would start to spin a bit, which it did, and next thing I knew I was being woken up back on the ward! It was pretty dreamy actually!

Felt totally fine when I woke up, just a bit sleepy, I’d have no problem doing it again

I'd agree I was mostly just sleepy. I felt like I'd had an amazing sleep that I didn't really want to wake up from.

They offer you tea and toast once you're a bit more awake and you need to go pee before they'll discharge you. They'll tell you you can't drive or sign important documents afterwards either.

Like @jenk91 I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

Thanks all! Also silly question. What do you do with your phone etc while getting it done? Do they look after it with your clothes etc?

I just left it with my stuff in the recovery bay. It wasn't locked away or anything like that - I think its pretty much a leaving it at your own risk kind of thing.

I really enjoyed my sedation each time haha. They put the cannula in and then put a mask on my face and then usually the anaesthetist would talk to me or ask me to count or something and I would fall asleep before I got to the end of whatever I was doing. And then I would be woken up by the nurse. Always felt fine coming round, just wished I could sleep a bit longer! Sometimes felt a little bit high but nothing major and it was a nice high, not feeling sick or anything - just fun 😂 maybe I need to get out more…

I was pretty nervous ahead of mine as had not undergone any sedation before. Honestly I really enjoyed my experience. You spend some time in the recovery bay at first and so try and relax there, I just popped on a long T and socks. The anaesthetist will come in and explain what will happen when you arrive into theatre. They will roll you through to theatre and give the sedation. Before that you do have to confirm your personal details. Sedation happens so quickly and the next thing I remember was slowing awakening back in the recovery room - that’s where you leave your bag and things. I was ready to sit up after 15 mins and really enjoyed my tea and toast! I’d have go a back the next day if had needed to it was a nice morning.