It’s time! Our tips for egg retrieval day help you prepare

IVF can feel like a rollercoaster of emotions, but undoubtedly one of the high points is the day of your IVF egg retrieval. Knowing what to expect can help calm your nerves, so you can focus on taking care of yourself physically and emotionally on this exciting day. Our San Antonio IVF specialists offer these tips for egg retrieval day to make your experience the best it can be.

Here’s how to get ready for your IVF egg retrieval

Dress comfortably. You may feel bloated on the day of your egg retrieval, so we recommend wearing roomy, comfortable, pull-on clothing, such as sweatpants or joggers. You’ll also be more comfortable putting on shoes that you can slip on easily when it’s time to head home.

Have a driver, and take the day off. This is an important one of our tips for egg retrieval day, as we do use anesthesia for your comfort during the egg retrieval. The procedure itself is quick, but because of the anesthesia, you will need someone to drive you home, and you may feel a bit drowsy for a few hours. Plan on settling in at home for the remainder of the day, and focus on getting some rest, watching movies, and lounging around. You worked hard to make those eggs, and you deserve a day just for you! You should be ready to return to work and regular activities the following day.

Take over-the-counter pain relievers when you get home. An IVF egg retrieval procedure is minimally invasive, but you may feel a bit of discomfort and cramping for a few hours. Most women do just fine taking over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), for pain relief.

Have panty liners ready at home. Some light spotting after this procedure is normal, and it’s best not to use tampons until you’ve had some time to heal.

Make sure you’re set up to receive updates. Our embryology team will be monitoring fertilization and embryo development in the IVF lab over the next several days. They will be updating the embryology portal and/or calling you to give you updates, so make sure we have the best contact info to reach you. Watch for incoming calls and messages from our San Antonio IVF lab, Ovation^® Fertility, and your Texas Fertility Center care team, especially as embryos are ready for testing and cryopreservation.

Call when you start your period. Our team will make sure that your body has completed the egg retrieval cycle, and discuss how the next phase of your IVF cycle will take place.

Celebrate! IVF egg retrieval is a big milestone on your path to parenthood. You have worked hard to get to this point, and you made it through! Treat yourself to a restful day, take care of your heart and mind, and surround yourself with the people and things you love over the coming days while you await more news from the IVF lab.

With our tips for egg retrieval day, you’ve got this!

If you have any questions or need help, our San Antonio IVF team is here to assist you with medication advice and tips for egg retrieval day, so reach out any time you need us.

We are here to support you, every step of the way. If you have any questions at any point, just ask.