Whether you’re donating eggs, freezing them for future family planning, or undergoing in vitro fertilization with the help of a fertility doctor to become pregnant, you may have questions regarding the egg retrieval process. Leading up to your visit to a fertility clinic, here’s a basic guide to the procedure so you know what to expect. 

What Does the Procedure Entail?

Before undergoing this procedure, your fertility doctor will prescribe medication to bring one or more of your egg follicles to maturity. Once it’s determined via ultrasound that the egg has reached an appropriate size for extraction, your doctor will administer a hormone injection called human chorionic gonadotropin or hCG to finalize growth.

Approximately 35 hours after the injection, you’ll go in for egg retrieval. The procedure will start with intravenous sedation. Next, using a guided ultrasound, a needle will be inserted through the vagina into the ovary to extract the egg. The process will take approximately 30 minutes.  

How Can You Prepare?

Since you’ll be under anesthesia or sedated, your fertility doctor may require that you abstain from eating or drinking for at least 10 hours leading up to the appointment. Ask someone to give you a ride to and from the clinic since you likely won’t be up to driving afterward. You’ll need to remove contact lenses, jewelry, and nail polish for the procedure, so plan accordingly before leaving the house. 

What After Care Instructions Do Fertility Doctors Recommend?

After egg retrieval, you may experience discomfort similar to menstrual cramping, which can be treated with over-the-counter pain medication. Take it easy for a few weeks in terms of physical exertion, and refrain from sexual intercourse, taking baths, or using hot tubs. If you experience vaginal bleeding, use pads, not tampons.

Your doctor will also prescribe an antibiotic to prevent infection and a steroid to reduce inflammation in your reproductive organs. You may also be prescribed hormones to support endometrial lining. If you experience a fever, intense swelling, vaginal pain, heavy bleeding, or vomiting, inform your fertility team right away. 

If you’re ready to grow your family, Hawaii’s first IVF clinic, Pacific In Vitro Fertilization Institute, is ready to provide compassionate, effective treatment in their state-of-the-art facility. Since opening in Honolulu in 1985, the premier fertility clinic has helped patients and couples of all kinds become parents. Call today at (808) 946-2226 to schedule an appointment with a fertility doctor, and visit their website for more information on their approach to conception and fertility preservation.