(No) Sex, drugs and rods with holes

Egg collection is a little like no sex, drugs and rods with holes. The lack of sex is obvious. You can't do it before and you can't do it for 2 days after.

The drugs part is all about the sedative you're given once you're in theatre. It's only a minor procedure. You'd think with the 2 week fanfare prior that it would be a bit more significant, but it's not. The only thing worth looking forward to in the procedure is the drugs.

Dr. D always takes at least 2 tries to find a vein at the top of my hand. The needle used is not small and it hurts! but finally once the needle is in and the sedative injected directly into the vein, a nice warm feeling of happiness takes you over and you more than amicably put your legs up in stirrups and do whatever you're told to do.

Now the rods with holes is the serious part. The rod is the internal ultrasound and the hole in it holds a very long and thick needle that goes right through the uterus and into each ovary. The ovaries are then drained of all the fluids which are then given over to the scientist who manually looks under a microscope for each tiny and precious egg. I pray our scientist had 20/20 vision, though i was so disappointed that of the 22 follicles, only 7 eggs were found.

After the procedure, the drugs wear off quickly and I felt like vomiting. Just wished i could have more of that happy juice to get me through the next few weeks (and maybe for the rest of my life!). But instead, it wears off and you start getting your wits back. Not so nice. You have an ache in your belly and feel kind of dizzy for a little bit.

G is sent off to give his contribution while i recover. (Apparently he gets given a jar and told that he can have a bigger jar if he needs.) We only need 7 good looking swimmers so i think the smaller jar sufficed.

After recovery, i went to an accupuncture appointment. Dunno if it'll help but what the hell, i might as well spend the $120 just in case.

Then a bite to eat and back home to rest in bed. It's not too bad. Just a really achey belly but hopefully it will be fine in a couple days.

Tomorrow they'll call me and let me how many of our oocytes (aka. eggs) have fertilized. Then on day 3 they will update us on their progress. On day 5, we'll be back in surgery to have whatever is good squirted back up. This unfortunately happens without drugs.