IVF Virtual Tour: IVF Egg Retrieval

Thirty-two to thirty-five hours after the administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) the eggs are removed from the ovaries. This is performed in the surgical suite at Southeastern Fertility Center.

Patients are given intravenous medications for pain control and sedation. During retrieval, a needle is guided by ultrasound into each follicle in the ovary to remove the fluid containing the egg. The ultrasound and egg retrieval is performed vaginally; therefore, neither incisions nor surgery is required. The eggs are collected into a test tube and each test tube is then carefully passed into the embryology laboratory where the egg is removed from the surrounding fluid and prepared for insemination with the male's sperm.