Top Tips to Prepare for Your Egg Retrieval
Preparing for an egg retrieval can feel like a daunting and nerve-wracking experience, but with the right information and mindset, you can approach this important step in your fertility journey with confidence and clarity. In this comprehensive guide, we'll dive deep into the key steps to prepare physically, mentally, and emotionally for your egg retrieval procedure.
Understanding the Egg Retrieval Process
The egg retrieval is a critical milestone in the in-vitro fertilization (IVF) or egg freezing process. It's the culmination of weeks of hard work, from taking medications to stimulate your ovaries to monitoring your follicle development through regular ultrasounds and blood tests. Once your eggs have reached maturity, it's time for the retrieval procedure to collect them for fertilization or cryopreservation.
As Dr. Lora Shahine, a double board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and OBGYN, explains, "The egg retrieval is one very important step in the IVF or egg freezing process. You have worked so hard to get to that point, and then all of a sudden, you're getting ready for the egg retrieval. It's okay to be nervous, it's okay to be anxious, but I am here to help you prepare and give you some tips to be ready."
Preparing for the "Day Of"
Timing is Everything
One of the first things to understand about the egg retrieval process is the timing. Unlike other medical procedures, the exact date of your egg retrieval won't be known until just a couple of days before the event. This is because your body is in charge, and the timing is determined by the maturation of your follicles and eggs.
As Dr. Shahine explains, "You never know exactly what day the egg retrieval is going to be until 2 days before the egg retrieval. Your team might be able to give you a guess, like 'I think your egg retrieval is going to be in this 3 to 4 day window,' but really, your ovaries are in charge."
The key is to stay flexible and be prepared for the unexpected. Your clinic will let you know the exact date of your egg retrieval about 48 hours in advance, after they've had a chance to monitor your follicle development and determine the optimal timing.
Prioritize Rest and Relaxation
Once you have the date of your egg retrieval, it's time to start planning for the day. The most important thing is to prioritize rest and relaxation. You should arrange for a responsible adult to drive you to and from the clinic, as you won't be able to drive yourself after the procedure.
As Dr. Shahine advises, "You should not have any obligations for the rest of the day. You shouldn't try to work, you shouldn't try to have scheduled meetings. If you do have children or you care for children for any reason, you should not have the sole responsibility of caring for anyone else that day except for yourself."
Instead, focus on pampering yourself. Plan for takeout meals, cozy movies, and a comfortable space to rest and recover. This is your day to prioritize your own well-being and self-care.
During the Procedure
What to Expect
On the day of your egg retrieval, you can expect to be at the clinic for approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. The actual procedure itself only takes about 15-20 minutes, but there's time for check-in, preparation, and recovery.
When you arrive, you'll likely change into a gown, and the clinic will double-check that you haven't had anything to eat or drink since midnight the night before. You'll then receive an IV, which will provide you with relaxing and sleep-inducing medications.
As Dr. Shahine explains, "You'll most likely walk into the procedure room and lie down on the procedure table. If you've never had a surgery or a procedure before, it can feel really foreign and a little nerve-wracking. It's okay to feel really vulnerable. Let your team know, and they'll embrace you and take good care of you."
Visualization and Relaxation
While you're lying on the table, your doctor may take a moment to chat with you and help you feel more at ease. As Dr. Shahine shares, "I like to come and chat with people as they're going to sleep. We talk a little bit, and I try to make them feel comfortable. I want them to reflect on the fact that they've worked so hard to get to this point, and an egg retrieval is like this exam that you've been studying for."
One technique Dr. Shahine often recommends is visualization. "We're always talking about, 'Okay, so you're getting ready to take a lovely nap, and so let's think about where you want to go on vacation. You get to decide because you're going right now.'"
Engaging in this type of visualization can help you feel more relaxed and present during the procedure, transporting your mind to a peaceful, restorative place.
The Retrieval Process
During the actual egg retrieval, the doctor will use a vaginal ultrasound to guide a small needle through the upper wall of the vagina and into the ovaries. This needle will then drain the follicles, where the mature eggs are located, and the embryologist will isolate the eggs from the follicular fluid.
As Dr. Shahine explains, "The liquid that we get, the follicular fluid, we give to embryologists, and they look through that fluid with a high-powered microscope and they isolate the eggs from the follicular fluid. So that's why the procedure takes about 15 or 20 minutes. It's very simple, all done under direct visualization with an ultrasound, and your team is there to support you."
Post-Retrieval Care
Waking Up and Recovering
After the procedure, you'll be taken to a recovery area, where you'll be monitored as you wake up. As Dr. Shahine notes, "When you wake up, which typically happens pretty quickly, you might be a little tired, you might feel a little groggy, you might feel a little crampy, and there could be some spotting."
Before you leave the clinic, your medical team will provide you with an update on how many eggs were retrieved. This information is crucial, as it will help set your expectations for the next steps in your fertility journey.
Potential Side Effects
In the days following your egg retrieval, you may experience some mild side effects, such as cramping, spotting, or constipation. As Dr. Shahine advises, "If you're having pain that's out of proportion to what you're expecting or pain that's not controlled by the medications that your clinic gave you, nausea, vomiting, or heavy bleeding, don't hesitate to call your medical team. That's what they're there for, to help you through any concerns or issues that may arise."
It's important to follow your clinic's instructions for post-retrieval care, which may include taking it easy, staying hydrated, and managing any discomfort with over-the-counter pain medication.
Next Steps and Communication
After your egg retrieval, your next steps will depend on whether you're planning a fresh embryo transfer or a frozen embryo transfer. If you're doing a fresh transfer, your team will provide you with guidance on when to start any necessary support medications, like progesterone.
If you're planning to freeze all of your embryos, you can expect to get your period about 7-10 days after the retrieval. As Dr. Shahine notes, "This period can be heavier and crampier than you may experience on a regular basis, so it's important to know what to expect and how to communicate with your team about it."
Regardless of your next steps, it's crucial to have a clear understanding of how you'll stay in touch with your medical team. As Dr. Shahine advises, "It's important to know how you're going to communicate with your team. Before the egg retrieval, you've probably seen your team or even your doctor a couple of times a week, but after the retrieval, especially if you're not doing a fresh embryo transfer, you might not see your team for a couple of weeks. So it's important to set those expectations, so you get the communication that you need."
Final Thoughts and Encouragement
Preparing for an egg retrieval can be a daunting experience, but with the right information and mindset, you can approach this milestone with confidence and clarity. Remember, your medical team is there to support you every step of the way, and it's okay to feel nervous or anxious – that's completely normal.
As Dr. Shahine reminds us, "It's okay to be nervous, it's okay to be anxious, but I am here to help you prepare and give you some tips to be ready. This is a big hurdle and a wonderful goal to reach in your treatment, and I'm here to help you have the best outcome possible for your egg retrieval."
For more information and resources from Dr. Lora Shahine, be sure to check out her weekly newsletter, Brave or Curious podcast, and her books on fertility and reproductive health. You can also follow her on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter for more valuable insights and support.
Stay up to date with Dr. Shahine's weekly newsletter on fertility news and recommendations.
Listen to her Brave or Curious podcast for more expert advice and personal stories.
Explore Dr. Shahine's books on fertility and reproductive health.
Follow @drlorashahine on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter for valuable insights and support.
