Retrieval Tips – Plan Ahead for the Day of Retrieval
Pre-Retrieval
- The day of the egg retrieval is the only day you will need to take off. You’ll need to arrange this in advance.
- You should have nothing to eat or drink after midnight the day before your egg retrieval. You may brush your teeth.
- Leave all valuables at home, do not wear any jewelry to your retrieval.
- If you wear contacts, leave them at home and wear your glasses.
- You must have an adult chaperone accompany you to and from the procedure and stay with you for the remainder of the day. You will not be allowed to drive yourself, use public transportation or use any form of ride share, such as Uber or Lyft. Coordinate in advance with a trusted friend or family member who is willing to be responsible for getting you home.
Day of Retrieval
- You will need to arrive on time! THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! Please allow extra travel time in inclement weather.
- Wear comfortable clothes.
- Once you check in, you will be brought back by a member of the medical staff. An IV will be started for your anesthesia.
- You will be taken into the procedure room for your retrieval. The retrieval takes about 15-20 minutes.
- After the retrieval you will wake up in the recovery room. You will be observed for 30-60 minutes prior to being released to go home.
Learn more about the Egg Retrieval Procedure.
After the Procedure
Take the rest of the day after the retrieval to relax.
You might feel a little bloated, or have cramps, or have light bleeding, but otherwise, you shouldn’t feel pain or any severe symptoms (of course, in the rare chance you are experiencing severe symptoms, call 911).
Make sure to read over the post-op instructions you were given to learn about any symptoms to be wary of.
The next day, you’ll most likely be back to your normal self. Unless your body is telling you that you still need to recover, you can go back to school and/or work. No exercise until after your next menstrual cycle.
