IUI and IVF procedure
- Thread starter helywong
- Start date
Hello, I am sure that key hole surgery is one option.
When I had IVF then the eggs were collected through the vagina under ultrasound control, using a fine needle that is passed through the vagina into the ovary.
I had IVF in Melbourne however. Here is a link to the hospital I used. They provide a step by step account of the procedure they use. It may be different here.
http://www.mivf.com.au/ivf/ivfoverview/ivfstep1.asp?cat=sub5
When I had IVF then the eggs were collected through the vagina under ultrasound control, using a fine needle that is passed through the vagina into the ovary.
I had IVF in Melbourne however. Here is a link to the hospital I used. They provide a step by step account of the procedure they use. It may be different here.
http://www.mivf.com.au/ivf/ivfoverview/ivfstep1.asp?cat=sub5
As mel_g20 said above, for IVF the eggs are collected from the ovaries via a needle that is passed through the vagina and into the follicle on the ovary containing the egg. Egg retrieval for IVF is done under light sedation, so you should not feel a thing or even remember much of the procedure.
The GP might have meant that a fertility specialist may recommend key hole surgery (a laparoscope) to investigate why you are having trouble getting pregnant, eg, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, scar tissue, damage to fallopian tubes, as this can then help in whether to decide to go ahead with IVF or try the less invasive IUI first. The male's sperm should also be tested for any problems.
Good luck
The GP might have meant that a fertility specialist may recommend key hole surgery (a laparoscope) to investigate why you are having trouble getting pregnant, eg, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, scar tissue, damage to fallopian tubes, as this can then help in whether to decide to go ahead with IVF or try the less invasive IUI first. The male's sperm should also be tested for any problems.
Good luck
IUI Info
I don't know much about IVF, but I have had 4 IUI's. The first two were with clomid and the next two with Gonal-F injections. I am waiting to find out the results of the fourth - fingers crossed. IUI is a pretty straightforward process and is not too intrusive. The only thing which is a pain in HK vs. the UK is that you have to go to hospital to get the HCG (or trigger injection) 36 hours before the IUI procedure. When we did IUI in the UK, they used a different injection which we could do ourselves. Because they like to do the procedure in the morning it means going to hospital at 10pm at night. The other thing which is slightly weird is that you have to go to the lab to pick up DH's sperm and then take it to the Doctor's surgery. It feels a bit weird walking through Central with that in your pocket! I guess it's worth asking where the lab is before you start your treatment - in a hospital it would all be in the same place which is a nicer experience.
The other tip is to ask what response they would be happy with from whatever form of stimulation they put you on. They tend to start with a conservative dose and then monitor progress from there, but I didn't really understand what they were looking for. For an IUI they like to see 2-3 follicles of the right size for optimum chance of success. I think if you have too many they would consider cancelling the cycle because of the high risk of multiples.
I don't know much about IVF, but I have had 4 IUI's. The first two were with clomid and the next two with Gonal-F injections. I am waiting to find out the results of the fourth - fingers crossed. IUI is a pretty straightforward process and is not too intrusive. The only thing which is a pain in HK vs. the UK is that you have to go to hospital to get the HCG (or trigger injection) 36 hours before the IUI procedure. When we did IUI in the UK, they used a different injection which we could do ourselves. Because they like to do the procedure in the morning it means going to hospital at 10pm at night. The other thing which is slightly weird is that you have to go to the lab to pick up DH's sperm and then take it to the Doctor's surgery. It feels a bit weird walking through Central with that in your pocket! I guess it's worth asking where the lab is before you start your treatment - in a hospital it would all be in the same place which is a nicer experience.
The other tip is to ask what response they would be happy with from whatever form of stimulation they put you on. They tend to start with a conservative dose and then monitor progress from there, but I didn't really understand what they were looking for. For an IUI they like to see 2-3 follicles of the right size for optimum chance of success. I think if you have too many they would consider cancelling the cycle because of the high risk of multiples.
Re newbiekt's comment about carrying the sperm for an IUI across town, that would only happen if your Dr did not have facilities for preparing the sperm in his clinic. When I had an IUI, the technician prepared the sperm in the next room and passed it directly to the Dr in the procedure room. The procedure's not that much more painful than a Pap smear.