Post-Egg Retrieval Care Instructions
Egg retrieval is a key step in IVF or egg freezing treatment.
Before the procedure, patients with fewer follicles may worry about not retrieving enough eggs, while patients with many follicles may worry about abdominal bloating and pain after surgery. It is natural to feel anxious, uncertain, or unsure of what to expect.
I am Yun-I head nurse Yi-Chun Chang. Below are the top 10 common questions after egg retrieval, answered one by one. I hope this information can support you on your fertility journey.
What factors may increase the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome?
- Patients with an AMH level greater than 4, or those who already have polycystic ovary syndrome, are more likely to develop ovarian hyperstimulation after using ovulation induction injections and undergoing egg retrieval.
Therefore, when the follicles are mature enough and a trigger shot is needed, the doctor will choose the type and dosage of the trigger shot according to the patient’s number of mature eggs, usually more than 15–20, and estrogen level, usually above 4000 pg/mL.
This helps avoid ovarian hyperstimulation and reduce patient discomfort.
Is the number of eggs retrieved related to pregnancy success?
- Patients with many retrieved eggs may feel both happy and worried.
The good news is that the chance of pregnancy increases, and there may also be embryos available for freezing. These embryos can be thawed and transferred in the future, increasing the cumulative pregnancy rate.
Patients with fewer retrieved eggs do not need to worry too much. The medical team will do its best to culture these precious embryos and help you fulfill your wish.
At Yun-I, there have been many cases where only one egg was retrieved, one embryo was formed, and the patient successfully gave birth after embryo transfer.
Please feel reassured while waiting for the culture results.
What are common symptoms after egg retrieval?
- Symptoms that can be observed: nausea, vomiting, dizziness after anesthesia, a small amount of vaginal bleeding, and mild abdominal bloating or pain.
- Symptoms that require immediate medical attention: fever, severe abdominal pain, shortness of breath, severe nausea or vomiting, significantly reduced urine output, or heavy bleeding.
What dietary recommendations are there after egg retrieval?
- For patients without ovarian hyperstimulation:
It is recommended to eat fresh vegetables and a light diet.
Daily water intake should be 1500–2000 cc.
Avoid Chinese herbal medicines that promote blood circulation, as they may increase bleeding.
- For patients with ovarian hyperstimulation:
It is recommended to eat fresh vegetables and a high-protein diet, such as fish, meat, eggs, milk, and beans.
Keep the diet low in salt, and drink at least 2000 cc of water and electrolyte-containing beverages daily, which may be diluted.
If abdominal bloating is severe and you cannot eat much, commercially available high-protein drinks may be used as a substitute.
Chinese herbal medicines that promote blood circulation should still be avoided.
Do I need to finish all the oral medications after egg retrieval?
- Egg retrieval is still an invasive procedure.
Postoperative oral medications may include painkillers, antibiotics, and hemostatic medications. It is recommended to finish them to avoid infection and pain.
For patients with ovarian hyperstimulation, dopamine agonist medication may also be prescribed to reduce prolactin and help prevent severe symptoms and ascites. These medications should also be taken on time.
How long should I rest after egg retrieval?
- On the day of egg retrieval, there may be pain from the puncture, and each person reacts differently to anesthesia.
It is recommended to take the day off on the day of the procedure.
After that, rest can be adjusted according to your personal recovery.
When will my period come after egg retrieval?
- The first menstrual period after egg retrieval depends on the type and dosage of the trigger shot.
In general, menstruation usually begins about 10–12 days after egg retrieval.
Can I have intercourse or exercise after egg retrieval?
- After egg retrieval, the ovaries may become swollen and corpus luteum cysts may form.
At this time, intercourse or intense exercise may increase the risk of ovarian torsion or corpus luteum rupture.
Therefore, it is recommended to wait until after menstruation before resuming intercourse.
For the first week after egg retrieval, gentle and static activities are recommended.
For patients with ovarian hyperstimulation, intense exercise should be resumed only after menstruation.
Can I take a bath or swim after egg retrieval?
- Although there is no external wound after egg retrieval, there are still puncture sites in the vaginal wall.
To avoid infection, soaking in a bath and swimming should be avoided temporarily.
Should I continue taking health supplements after egg retrieval?
- This can be discussed with your attending doctor based on the egg retrieval results and the next treatment plan.
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