Ooctyte Pick Up (OPU) or Egg Collection

Just like my previous IVF cycle, I didn’t sleep well the night before the OPU. I feel so hot even when the air conditioning is on. But maybe I’m also a bit anxious about the procedure. Anyway, I still feel the tightness of my abdomen due to the unusual size of my ovary (the doctor said that it is about the size of an orange fruit).. but it is more tolerable compared to the previous cycle.

We arrived at the clinic before 8.30am. I settled the remaining payment for the IVF package first at the cashier. Then I was admitted and prepared for the procedure. I changed into the hospital gown (took off everything). Since this is my fourth time to be admitted, I am feeling more comfortable and less nervous of the procedure. The nurses are also more familiar especially the Indian nurse who often gives my IV. She gave me paracetamol, antibiotic and the usual dextrose. There are less patients that day so the environment is more relaxed.

I was then transferred to the operating room. Dr. S took charge of the procedure. There were also a few people in the room that assisted in the procedure. They are all very warm and chatted with me to take off my nervousness. At around 9.45am, I was given the sedative and immediately I passed out. When I woke up, I was already in the observation area outside the operating room. I’m still a bit groggy then, but I remember asking one assistant how many eggs they have collected. She told me that they collected 4. I actually expected that they would collect more so I was a bit worried. In my IVF #1, they have collected 8. Anyway, I hope that all are in good quality and will turn out to be good embryos.

I was then transferred to the recovery area near the nurse’s station. I continued lying down till my dextrose was all absorbed. I felt slight cramping in my right side and at the bottom around my anus. Afterwards, I changed back to my clothes and was discharged. The nurse gave me my presciptions: Progyluton to be taken 3x daily (after breakfast and lunch to be dissolved below the tongue and after dinner to be inserted in the vagina) and Cyclogest 400mg suppository 3x daily (to be inserted in the vagina).

My husband said that he also gave his semen sample while waiting for me.

When we arrived home, we ate our lunch first (I was starving!).  Then I slept. There is still pain in the right and bottom part of my abdomen. It is also quite hard to pass urine. I also observed some blood on the tissue after I peed.. but I read in the internet that it is quite normal so I’m not too alarmed.