An outline of the egg retrieval process from a surgical nurse manager at CCRM.

I’m excited to share some oh-so-holistic IVF info that’s guaranteed to make one of your most monumental days feel like less of an unknown. So this post is going to cover what to expect the day of your egg retrieval!

But, since I’m not personally on-site at IVF clinics during egg retrievals, I thought I’d ask my fabulous fertility colleague Angela Weinheimer (RN, BSN) to shed some light on this big deal day. Angela’s worked in nursing since 2005 and has been the Surgical Nurse Manager at CCRM Minneapolis since 2018.

A quick holistic reminder: IVF-specific education like this helps you feel less anxious by filling in some of the unknown. This shifts your body and mind out of fight or flight and into rest and reproduce. It’s fantastic for your immediate quality of life, and also your blood circulation, endocrine function, nervous and immune system balance, etc — hooray for the win-win!

So here’s what Angela has to say:

Can you talk about how anesthesia meds are administered during egg retrieval and how they feel?

In the operating room after your blood pressure cuff, EKG leads, and pulse oximeter are placed, the anesthesia provider will begin medications that’ll make you feel relaxed very quickly (within seconds) and at ease. Then they’ll begin giving Propofol which will make you sleep (within minutes). Some patients may feel a little burning at their IV site when Propofol is started — that’s common and gets better very quickly. Once asleep, you’re breathing on your own, but not aware of the procedure taking place. 

You will not be awake or aware of the egg retrieval procedure, but you will wake up within minutes of the anesthesia provider stopping Propofol. Most patients are awake within just a few minutes of arriving to recovery.

How will I feel after the IVF egg retrieval procedure and what should I know about post egg retrieval?

You will wake up within minutes following the procedure, but you’ll still feel sleepy most of the day. You may not remember what was discussed while in recovery or may remember only bits and pieces, but you’ll feel more like yourself the next day.

The anesthesia provider takes you to recovery and gives the report to your recovery room nurse. You’re usually in recovery for about 45 minutes. During this time, your nurse will have your partner/driver come sit with you while they go over discharge instructions with you both.

It is really important you do not work, drive, or make important decisions until the next day due to the anesthesia medications you received. You may want to take a nap once you get home and make sure to take it easy the day of your retrieval.

You might experience abdominal cramping or twinges in your ovaries. Tylenol, which is okay for everyone, and Ibuprofen, which you should avoid if you’re doing a fresh transfer, can be helpful for this cramping as well as a warm pack. Any discomfort is usually much improved by the next morning. We also can give IV pain medication such as Fentanyl (a narcotic) and Toradol (an NSAID) while in recovery if needed.

Any vaginal bleeding or spotting shouldn’t be more flow than a normal period. Only use pantyliners or pads for this bleeding. Nothing vaginally. Be sure to notify your clinic if you fill a regular pad in 45 minutes or less.

Most people do not experience nausea following Propofol sedation. But if you do, we can give Zofran IV or place a scopolamine patch behind your ear to help prevent this.

You should make sure there’s no twisting at the waist until your next cycle day 1. Your ovaries can still be heavy following retrieval, and increased twisting motions could cut off blood supply. So it’s important to refrain from heavy exercise and lifting until it’s safer on your cycle day 1.

Be sure to introduce nothing vaginally until cycle day 1 as well, which includes intercourse and tampons, as this could introduce bacteria and lead to an infection. Take the antibiotic as prescribed.

Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) can occur dependent on things like trigger meds, number of follicles, and estrogen values. Increasing sodium in foods and fluids for the next 5 - 7 days will help to eliminate the extra fluid.

What if I’m feeling nervous about saying something weird or getting emotional?

Most patients do not talk as they are going to sleep or as they are waking up. If they are talking, it is usually about something they enjoy like work or hobbies. And it is common to feel emotional before or after your retrieval due to the hormones you have been taking — that’s normal!

Common* discharge instructions.

Here are a few other common post egg retrieval discharge instructions taken right from CCRM’s handouts. *Remember, every IVF clinic will vary. This info is not intended to take the place of asking your clinic about their specific protocols and recommendations.

• Showers are permitted 24 hours after retrieval — no swimming or baths until CD1

• If you feel feverish take your temp and report it if it’s above 100.5 degrees

• Start with a bland diet and advance as tolerated

• You may use a heating pad on your abdomen for cramping

• Only take prescribed medications 

• Over the counter medications recommended for pain:

• Tylenol (max daily dose 4,000mg) 

• Ibuprofen (max daily dose 3200mg)

• Do NOT take Ibuprofen if planning a fresh transfer
  

Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)

OHSS is characterized by swollen, painful ovaries with symptoms of nausea or vomiting, shortness of breath, significant abdominal bloating, difficulty walking, weight gain greater or equal to 3 - 5 lbs per day, and difficulty urinating. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please call your clinic immediately. If you cannot reach your clinic seek other immediate care.

I’m so grateful to Angela for sharing her time and knowledge! She’s one of the most thoughtful and generous IVF providers I know! Even though this is info most people will find out on egg retrieval day from their clinic, getting it sooner can put your mind and body more at ease so you can feel more relaxed on such a big day.

Let me know what you think and shoot me an email if you have day of egg retrieval insight you wish you knew ahead of time!

Warmly,

Nicole

Nicole Lange

LICENSED ACUPUNCTURIST
HOLISTIC FERTILITY EDUCATOR