Egg Retrieval Day: What No One Tells You
Egg retrieval can sound intimidating, especially the first time. The procedure, the preparation, the unknowns—it is natural to feel nervous or uncertain about what to expect. What many people discover is that understanding exactly what will happen, step by step, can help reduce fear and make the day feel more manageable.
This article walks through what egg retrieval day actually looks like from start to finish in a calm, realistic way. The goal is to reduce fear by setting clear expectations without sugarcoating the experience. By knowing what to expect at each stage, you can arrive prepared, ask better questions, and feel more in control of your fertility journey.
Preparing for Egg Retrieval Day
Early Arrival and Fasting
You will need to be at the clinic at least 30 minutes before your scheduled egg retrieval time. Plan to arrive early to allow time for check-in, paperwork, and getting settled. The clinic will provide you with specific instructions about when to arrive, but arriving early gives you a buffer for traffic, parking, and any unexpected delays.
You should not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your egg retrieval. This means no food, no water, no coffee—nothing by mouth. This fasting requirement is important because you will be receiving sedation for the procedure. Having an empty stomach reduces the risk of complications if you should experience nausea or if any stomach contents were to enter your lungs during sedation.
It can be challenging, especially if your procedure is scheduled for later in the morning. Some people find it helpful to set a reminder for midnight to have a small snack or drink of water before the fasting period begins. Check with your clinic about any specific instructions, as some may have slightly different fasting requirements.
Check-In and Consents
What Happens When You Arrive
When you arrive at the clinic, you will check in at the front desk. You will likely be asked to verify your name, date of birth, and the reason for your visit. The staff will confirm that you have followed the fasting instructions and will check that you have someone with you who can drive you home after the procedure.
You will then be given consent forms to review and sign. These forms outline the procedure, potential risks, and what to expect. Take your time reading through them, and ask questions if anything is unclear. Common questions include details about the sedation, the recovery process, and what happens to the eggs after retrieval.
Once the paperwork is complete, you will be taken to a preparation area. This may be a private room or a curtained space where you will change into a hospital gown and prepare for the procedure.
Changing Into a Gown and IV Placement
Getting Ready for the Procedure
You will be asked to remove all your clothing, including underwear and jewelry, and put on a hospital gown. You may also be given a cap to cover your hair and nonslip socks to wear. It is important to remove jewelry, watches, and any removable piercings before the procedure.
A nurse will then place an intravenous line, or IV, in your arm or hand. This is similar to having blood drawn, but the needle stays in place so that medications can be given directly into your bloodstream. The IV is used to administer the sedation medications and any fluids you might need during the procedure.
The IV placement is usually quick, and you may feel a brief pinch or sting when the needle goes in. Once the IV is in place, it should not be painful. The nurse will secure it with tape to keep it from moving. If you have concerns about needles or IV placement, let the nurse know—they can help make the experience more comfortable for you.
Meeting Your Care Team
Who Will Be in the Room With You
Before the procedure begins, you will meet the members of your care team. This typically includes your fertility doctor, an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist who manages the sedation, a nurse who assists during the procedure, and possibly an embryologist who will work with your eggs after they are retrieved.
This is a good time to ask any last-minute questions or voice any concerns. Your care team wants you to feel comfortable and informed. They will explain what is about to happen and answer any questions you have. If you have specific worries or requests, this is the moment to share them.
The team will verify your identity one more time and confirm the procedure details. They may also review your medical history and any medications you are currently taking to ensure everything is up to date.
Sedation
Going Under Anesthesia
The egg retrieval procedure is performed under general anesthesia, but without intubation. This means you will be fully asleep and will not feel any discomfort during the procedure, but you will not need a breathing tube. Instead, you will breathe on your own with support from the anesthesiologist.
The sedation medications are given through your IV. You may feel a cool sensation as the medications enter your bloodstream, and you will likely start to feel drowsy very quickly—often within seconds. Many people do not remember falling asleep or remember very little of the time right before the procedure begins.
You will remain asleep for the entire procedure, which typically lasts 10 to 30 minutes depending on how many follicles are being retrieved. You will wake up in the recovery area after everything is complete, usually within 10 to 15 minutes of the procedure ending.
The Egg Retrieval Procedure
What Happens During the Retrieval
While you are asleep, your doctor will perform the egg retrieval using ultrasound guidance, similar to the vaginal ultrasounds you have had during your monitoring appointments. A needle guide is attached to the ultrasound probe, and a long, thin needle is introduced through the guide.
Under direct visualization on the ultrasound screen, your doctor will carefully puncture each follicle—the fluid-filled sacs that contain your eggs—and aspirate, or draw out, the fluid along with the egg floating inside it. The fluid from each follicle is collected in a test tube, and the process is repeated for each follicle.
The procedure typically takes about 10 to 30 minutes, depending on how many follicles you have and where they are located in your ovaries. Most people have somewhere between 5 and 20 follicles retrieved, though the number varies widely based on your individual response to the stimulation medications.
Once all the follicles have been aspirated, the procedure is complete. The needle is removed, and you are taken to the recovery area where you will wake up from the sedation.
Recovery: 30 to 60 Minutes
Waking Up After the Procedure
You will wake up in the recovery area, where a nurse will monitor you as you come out of the sedation. This recovery period typically lasts 30 to 60 minutes. You may feel groggy, disoriented, or a bit confused at first, which is normal after anesthesia.
The nurse will check your vital signs—blood pressure, heart rate, breathing—and make sure you are recovering well. They will also check for any bleeding or unusual discomfort. If you experience pain, the nurse can give you pain medication through your IV or by mouth once you are more awake.
You will likely be offered something to drink, such as water or juice, once you are fully awake and your swallowing reflexes have returned to normal. You may also be given a light snack. It is important to let the nurse know if you feel nauseous, as they can provide medication to help with that as well.
Cramping and Bloating: What Is Normal
Expected Discomfort After Egg Retrieval
Some discomfort is expected for a few hours following the procedure, and this is completely normal. You may experience cramping, similar to menstrual cramps, and you may feel bloated or have a sense of fullness in your abdomen. This is because your ovaries have been stimulated and may still be enlarged from the medications.
You can take Tylenol (acetaminophen) every 4 hours as needed for pain, but avoid ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory medications unless your doctor specifically tells you it is okay. Some people also find that a heating pad on the lower abdomen helps with cramping.
Occasional nausea might also occur, though this usually dissipates within a few hours. If you experience persistent nausea or vomiting, or if your pain is severe and not relieved by Tylenol, contact your clinic right away.
The cramping and bloating typically improve significantly within the first 24 hours. Most people feel much better by the next day, though some mild discomfort may persist for a day or two.
Egg Count Results
Finding Out How Many Eggs Were Retrieved
After your eggs are retrieved, they are immediately sent to the IVF laboratory where embryologists search through the follicular fluid to find and isolate the eggs. This process happens while you are in recovery.
You will typically be told how many eggs were retrieved before you leave the clinic or very soon after. Your nurse or doctor will share this information with you and your partner or support person. Keep in mind that the number of eggs retrieved may be different from the number of follicles seen on your last ultrasound, as not every follicle contains a mature, retrievable egg.
The embryologist will examine each egg to determine its maturity and quality. Mature eggs are the ones that can be fertilized. This information, along with the total egg count, will help your team plan the next steps in your IVF cycle.
Discharge and Getting Home
Leaving the Clinic After Recovery
Once you are fully awake, relatively pain-free, and your vital signs are stable, you will be given discharge instructions by the recovery nurse. These instructions will include information about rest, activity restrictions, what to watch for, and when to contact the clinic if you have concerns.
You must be accompanied by someone who can drive you home—you will not be allowed to drive yourself due to the sedation. Plan to have a friend, family member, or partner pick you up and stay with you for the rest of the day. The sedation effects can linger for several hours, and it is important to have someone available to help if you need anything.
You should not be left alone for the rest of the day after the procedure. Even though you may feel fine, it is important to have someone nearby in case you experience any complications or need assistance.
Rest Day: No Exertion
Taking It Easy After Egg Retrieval
You should plan to rest for the remainder of the day after your egg retrieval. Avoid any heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, or high-impact activities. Light activities like walking around the house are usually okay, but you should avoid anything that requires significant physical effort.
It is important to protect your ovaries and allow your body to recover from the procedure. Your ovaries may still be enlarged from the stimulation medications, and strenuous activity could increase the risk of complications such as ovarian torsion, where an ovary twists on itself.
Many people can plan to go back to work the next day, while others may need an additional day or two to rest and recover fully. Listen to your body and give yourself permission to take the time you need. If your job involves heavy lifting or physical labor, you may need to take more time off or arrange for modified duties.
Follow-Up Communication
When to Expect Updates
You will usually receive follow-up information about your eggs on the same day as the retrieval or the next day. This update typically includes the final count of mature eggs, how many eggs were successfully fertilized if fertilization was attempted, and the initial assessment of embryo development if applicable.
This information may be shared through a phone call, a message through your patient portal, or during a follow-up appointment. Your clinic will let you know when to expect this communication and how they will share the information with you.
It is normal to feel anxious while waiting for these results. Try to distract yourself with something restful or enjoyable, and remember that your care team is working carefully to give you the most accurate information possible.
What to Watch For: When to Call Your Clinic
Signs That Need Medical Attention
While some discomfort is normal after egg retrieval, certain symptoms require immediate medical attention. Contact your clinic or seek emergency care if you experience:
- Severe abdominal pain that is not relieved by Tylenol
- Heavy bleeding (soaking through a pad in an hour or less)
- Fever above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
- Persistent nausea or vomiting
- Difficulty breathing or chest pain
- Dizziness or fainting
- Signs of infection, such as redness, warmth, or discharge at the injection site
It is always better to call with a concern than to wait and wonder. Your care team is there to help, and they would rather answer your questions than have you worry unnecessarily.
How Her Serenity Supports You Through Egg Retrieval
Transparency and Education Throughout Your Journey
At Her Serenity, we believe that transparency and education empower patients to navigate their fertility journey with confidence and reduced anxiety. This article reflects our commitment to providing clear, honest information without pressure—walking through each step of egg retrieval day realistically, including what to expect, potential discomfort, and recovery, without minimizing the experience.
Our approach to egg retrieval day care includes:
- Clear communication about every step of the process, from arrival to discharge
- Honest discussion about what to expect, including both the medical aspects and the emotional ones
- Support that acknowledges the courage it takes to undergo fertility procedures
- Accessibility and kindness in how information is shared and questions are answered
This commitment to transparency and education helps ensure that patients feel prepared and can make informed decisions every step of the way. We believe that knowing what to expect reduces fear and anxiety, and that feeling supported during this process is essential to your overall well-being.
Taking the Next Step
Preparing for Your Egg Retrieval
If you are preparing for an egg retrieval or considering IVF, knowing what to expect can help you feel more confident and less anxious. You deserve to have all the information you need to prepare mentally and physically for this step in your fertility journey.
Your care team at Her Serenity is here to answer your questions, address your concerns, and support you throughout this process. We can walk through the details of what to expect, discuss any specific concerns you have, and help you feel prepared for egg retrieval day.
Egg retrieval is a significant step in your fertility journey, and it is normal to have questions and concerns. With the right information and a supportive team beside you, you can approach this day feeling informed, prepared, and empowered. You are not alone in this process, and we are here to support you every step of the way.