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Does IVF require major surgery?
No. Since the mid to late 1980s the vast majority of egg retrievals are performed
using an ultrasound probe which is placed in the vagina. A small needle is placed
through a guide attached to the probe. This allows for the aspiration of fluid-filled
follicle cysts, each of which contain a single ripe egg.
The procedure is performed with sedation on an outpatient basis in a procedure room designed specifically for this purpose. Embryo transfer is performed two days later by placing a small plastic catheter through the cervical opening to transfer the embryos during a simple pelvic exam. We perform IVF as an outpatient "sameday" procedure in our adjacent Ambulatory Surgery Center.
