If you are going to undergo treatment or are interested in knowing what this assisted reproduction technique consists of and how it is performed, we will tell you everything you need to know.
Follicular puncture (also known as ovarian puncture) is a fundamental intervention in In Vitro Fertilization treatments. It consists of the aspiration of the woman’s ovarian follicles to recover her eggs.
Naturally, an egg leaves the ovary every month: this is the process known as ovulation. But to carry out a successful IVF cycle we need a good quantity of eggs. For this reason, the patient receives a hormonal treatment for ovarian stimulation that favours the maturation and ovulation of the greatest possible number of oocytes.
The next step is to retrieve these eggs before they leave the ovary spontaneously and we are unable to locate them. That is why follicular puncture should be performed when the follicles have reached the appropriate size and natural ovulation has not yet occurred. During stimulation, follicular development is monitored using ultrasounds and blood tests to determine when the optimal moment arrives.
What does it consist of?
At this point, the follicular puncture is scheduled. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and is painless. A fine needle guided by ultrasound is used to access the ovarian follicles and aspirate their contents. The sample obtained is taken to the laboratory for analysis and to determine the total number of mature eggs obtained (those that will later be fertilized). The doctor or laboratory manager then informs the patient of how the extraction went and the number of oocytes that have been extracted.
It is a safe and effective technique that lasts on average between 10 and 15 minutes. There are hardly any side effects, although occasionally there may be very mild abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding or slight discomfort. These effects usually disappear in one or two days.
If you are going to perform a puncture, keep the following in mind
•You will spend two to three hours resting in one of our private rooms until you have fully recovered from the anesthesia and are feeling fit.
•You should rest that day. You can eat and drink normally throughout the day.
•We recommend that you come accompanied.
•You will have to come fasting for eight hours prior to the intervention (without even drinking water).
•Come without makeup, perfumes, contact lenses, metal objects (piercings, rings, earrings, etc.), false or enameled nails.
If you are interested in further information or would like a free, no-obligation appointment for a fertility study, you can do so here or by calling 946 510 700.