After monitoring appointments, bloodwork, and daily injections, egg retrieval is the next step. The procedure itself is relatively brief and is performed under anesthesia, so you should not feel the retrieval while it is happening.
At Open Fertility, your monitoring and preparation happen through your Open care team. Egg retrieval is performed by a Spring Fertility reproductive endocrinologist at a Spring Fertility procedure location.
Knowing what each part of retrieval day looks like can make the experience feel more manageable. Here’s what to expect.
The Night Before Retrieval
You’ll take your trigger shot at the specific time instructed by your care team. This medication helps complete the final maturation of the eggs before retrieval.
Your care team will provide personalized preparation instructions, but common guidance may include:
- Follow the fasting instructions provided by your care team before anesthesia.
- Arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure, since you will not be able to drive yourself.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing, as some bloating or abdominal fullness can occur after retrieval.
- Avoid strenuous exercise as directed by your care team.
- Take only medications approved by your care team before the procedure.
- Follow any additional preparation instructions specific to your treatment plan.
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The Morning of Retrieval
Your egg retrieval takes place through Spring Fertility rather than at your usual Open Fertility monitoring clinic. Your care team will give you specific arrival instructions, location details, and timing information in advance.
Once you arrive and check in, you can generally expect to:
- Change into a surgical gown
- Have an IV placed by the clinical team
- Meet the Spring Fertility reproductive endocrinologist performing your retrieval
- Meet with your anesthesia provider
- Review any final instructions and ask questions before the procedure
If a fresh sperm sample is part of your treatment plan, your care team will provide collection instructions. Donor or previously cryopreserved sperm will be prepared according to your treatment plan.
During the Retrieval
While you are under anesthesia, a Spring Fertility reproductive endocrinologist uses ultrasound guidance and a thin needle to collect fluid from the ovarian follicles. The laboratory team then identifies the eggs contained within that fluid.
You’ll wake up in a recovery area with clinical staff monitoring you. Your care team will let you know how many eggs were retrieved once the initial count is available.
The embryology team will then determine how many of the retrieved eggs are mature. Your care team will explain when and how you can expect those results.
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What Does Recovery Look Like After Egg Retrieval?
You’ll spend time in a recovery area after the procedure before being discharged with your designated driver.
Common post-retrieval symptoms may include:
- Mild to moderate cramping
- Bloating or abdominal fullness
- Light spotting
- Fatigue related to anesthesia
Your care team will let you know which pain relievers are appropriate and when it is safe to return to normal activity. Rest, stay hydrated, and follow the recovery instructions provided by your clinical team.
If you experience symptoms that concern you, including severe or worsening abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, fever, difficulty eating, drinking, or urinating, or rapid weight gain over a short period, contact your care team. These symptoms may require additional evaluation.
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What Happens to Your Eggs After Retrieval?
What happens next depends on your treatment plan.
For egg freezing patients: Mature eggs are frozen using vitrification and placed into secure cryostorage through Spring Fertility’s laboratory. Your care team will explain storage arrangements, policies, and ongoing fees specific to your treatment.
Learn more about the process on our egg freezing page.
For IVF patients: Mature eggs are fertilized according to your treatment plan. Spring Fertility’s embryology team then monitors embryo development in the IVF laboratory.
If preimplantation genetic testing is part of your treatment plan, embryos that reach the appropriate stage may be biopsied and cryopreserved while results are pending.
Embryo transfer is a separate procedure performed by a Spring Fertility reproductive endocrinologist.
Learn more about the IVF process on our IVF page.
Open patients benefit from Spring Fertility’s IVF laboratory and embryology expertise throughout this stage of treatment.
Preguntas frecuentes.
Will egg retrieval hurt?
You should not feel the retrieval itself while under anesthesia. Cramping, bloating, and some discomfort afterward are common. Your care team will let you know which pain relievers are appropriate and what symptoms to expect during recovery.
How long will the full appointment take?
Plan to spend several hours at the facility to allow time for check-in, preparation, the procedure, and recovery. Your care team will provide specific arrival and discharge instructions.
Can I drive myself home?
No. Because you will receive anesthesia, you will need someone to drive you home after the procedure. Your care team will provide instructions about when it is safe to resume driving.
How many eggs will be retrieved?
The number varies from patient to patient and depends on factors including age, ovarian reserve, and how your ovaries respond to stimulation.
Monitoring visits help your care team understand how your follicles are developing, but the number of follicles seen before retrieval does not always equal the number of eggs retrieved or the number of mature eggs available afterward.
What if fewer eggs are retrieved than expected?
Not every follicle will necessarily contain an egg, and not every retrieved egg will be mature. If the number is different from what you hoped or expected, your care team will review the results with you and discuss what they may mean for your next steps.
When can I return to normal activities?
Recovery varies from person to person. Many patients return to light daily activities relatively quickly, but your care team will advise you about work, exercise, intercourse, and other activities based on your individual recovery.
Questions Before Retrieval Day?
Your Open Fertility care team is available to help you understand your preparation instructions, procedure location, recovery expectations, and next steps.
If you are considering IVF or egg freezing and have not yet started treatment, schedule a consultation to learn whether Open Fertility may be a good fit for you.