Egg retrieval is a precise medical procedure and a major step in the process of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) or fertility preservation. This short, minimally invasive surgery involves collecting mature eggs from the ovaries for fertilization or freezing. Understanding the exact steps and requirements allows an individual to approach the procedure with preparation.
Preparing for the Egg Retrieval Procedure
The preparatory phase is highly time-sensitive, culminating in a final hormone injection known as the “trigger shot.” This injection is precisely timed to ensure the eggs reach final maturity just before retrieval. The trigger shot, typically human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or a Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) agonist, is administered roughly 34 to 36 hours before the scheduled retrieval time. Accurate timing is paramount because the eggs must be mature enough to be retrieved but not released from the ovaries through spontaneous ovulation.
The choice of trigger medication depends on your specific ovarian response, as an hCG trigger carries a higher risk of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) compared to a GnRH agonist. Beyond the trigger shot, you will receive strict pre-procedure instructions, including a requirement to fast for at least eight hours before the procedure. This means no food or drink after midnight the night before, which is necessary to prevent complications related to anesthesia, such as aspiration.
You will also be asked to sign final consent forms and arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home afterward, as you will not be permitted to operate a vehicle due to the sedation. On the day of the procedure, wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing and avoid wearing jewelry, makeup, or perfume.
The Retrieval Process Explained
The egg retrieval is a minor surgical procedure performed in an outpatient setting, often at the fertility clinic itself. Upon arrival, you will change into a gown and meet with the medical team, including the physician and an anesthesiologist. The procedure is performed under conscious sedation or “twilight anesthesia,” which is administered intravenously to ensure you are comfortable and do not feel pain.
Once the sedation takes effect, the physician performs the retrieval using a technique called transvaginal ultrasound aspiration. An ultrasound probe is inserted into the vagina to visualize the ovaries and the fluid-filled sacs, or follicles, that contain the eggs. A fine, hollow needle is then guided through the vaginal wall and into each follicle.
Gentle suction is applied to drain the follicular fluid, which contains the eggs, from each follicle. The fluid is immediately passed to an embryologist in a laboratory next to the procedure room. The procedure is brief, typically lasting only 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the number of follicles present.
Immediate Recovery and Post-Procedure Care
Immediately following the procedure, you will be taken to a recovery area where you will be monitored for approximately one to two hours as the effects of the sedation wear off. It is common to feel drowsy, fatigued, and slightly “hazy” for the rest of the day. Mild to moderate cramping and a feeling of abdominal fullness or bloating are the most common physical side effects, often described as similar to menstrual cramps.
These discomforts are caused by the ovaries, which are temporarily enlarged from the stimulation medications and the retrieval process itself. Over-the-counter pain relievers, along with a heating pad, are usually sufficient to manage the cramping. Light vaginal spotting can occur because the retrieval needle passes through the vaginal wall, but heavy bleeding is uncommon.
For the first 24 to 48 hours, it is necessary to rest, stay well-hydrated, and avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting, and driving. Hydration, especially with electrolyte-rich fluids, is helpful for reducing bloating and potentially lowering the risk of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS). You must contact your clinic immediately if you experience severe abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, excessive weight gain (more than two to three pounds in a day), or decreased urination, as these can be signs of more significant OHSS.
Understanding the Results and Next Steps
Before you are discharged from the recovery room, a member of the clinical team or the embryologist will communicate the initial count of eggs retrieved. Not every follicle aspirated will contain an egg, and not all retrieved eggs will be mature enough for fertilization. The final number can vary widely, and the focus shifts quickly to the quality and maturity of the collected eggs.
Once the eggs are collected, the next phase begins almost immediately in the laboratory. If pursuing IVF, the eggs are prepared for fertilization. This is done either through conventional insemination, where sperm are placed in the same dish, or through Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), where a single sperm is injected directly into each mature egg. If the purpose of the retrieval was fertility preservation, the mature eggs are cryopreserved, or flash-frozen, for storage.
The lab will monitor the fertilized eggs, now called zygotes, for several days as they develop into embryos. The clinic will typically contact you the day after retrieval with an update on how many eggs successfully fertilized. Depending on the treatment plan, a fresh embryo transfer may be scheduled to occur three to five days after the retrieval, or the embryos may be cryopreserved for a frozen transfer at a later date.