The interventions discussed below, do not belong to IVF treatment as such, but they can occasionally arise from it.

   

Every IVF treatment begins with the stimulation phase, to make the ovaries produce a crop of ripe follicles. The stimulation is rounded off with an injection of hCG hormone, to induce ovulation.

In the period before the hCG injection, a number of ultrasound scans will be performed, to check for the formation of cysts in the ovaries. These cysts do have a purpose and are produced through the natural function of the ovaries. Therefore there is no cause for concern if cysts are detected. Only if the cysts are producing hormones of their own which could interfere with your treatment, will it be necessary to remove them. It is the Monitoring Department which decides this and arranges an appointment for the cyst removal.

The procedure for the removal of a cyst consists of puncturing and draining it under ultrasound visualization. A needle is inserted through the vaginal wall into the cyst and its contents aspirated. This sounds worse than it is. It is a very quick and only mildly uncomfortable intervention. Depending on the position of the cyst, a local anaesthetic will sometimes be administered, but usually this is not really necessary. You may eat a light meal on the day of the procedure and you may go home an hour or so after the cyst has been drained. You do not need to register at the admissions desk, just go straight to the operating theatre in the CRG at the time arranged.  

    

In about 5% of women who become pregnant from medically assisted techniques, the pregnancy fails to progress and the embryo dies. In order to remove the products of conception from the uterus, you will be given the so called 'abortion pill', which you will have to take twice at an interval of 48 hours. The first dose will be given in the consultation department and the second on the ward VPE 03. A few hours afterwards, the miscarriage will take place and the products will be expelled from your uterus via the vagina. An ultrasound scan will confirm whether the uterus is completely empty. If there is any material still retained in the uterus, you may need to have a D&C in order to remove it.

D&C (dilation and curettage) is the emptying of the uterus in the operating theatre. It is performed under local anaesthetic. In the unlikely event that the procedure must be performed under general anaesthetic, it will be arranged as a day case admission. In any case, you will only need to stay in the hospital for a few hours. You will be slightly uncomfortable afterwards and may experience some cramp like pain in your lower abdomen. Therefore it is best that you do not drive yourself, but arrange for your partner to come and collect you. This will also provide you with some emotional support. For a downloadable information sheet regarding D&C, click here.

    

It can sometimes happen, that the embryo does not implant in the uterus, but in one of the fallopian tubes, or in another inappropriate place within the abdominal cavity. An ectopic pregnancy can sometimes be treated with medicine, which is administered on the ward VP 03. The treatment consists of one injection.

However, it is often necessary to remove the pregnancy surgically, be means of a  therapeutic laparoscopy. The intervention is performed under general anaesthetic and as a day case admission.