6 Things Egg Donors Want to Know About An Egg Retrieval

There are important things egg donors want to know about egg retrieval day.

The medical specialists tell you that you are responding well to hormone medications. While your bloodwork is evaluating your hormone levels, the ultrasound examination is checking out the egg production in your ovaries.

You’re ready to become an egg donor – here are six things you want to know about it.

1. NPO After Midnight

NPO is a Latin term for “nil per os,” which means nothing by mouth. Because you’ll be under anesthesia, there are some guidelines to follow. While each clinic will have their specific preoperative instructions the day before the egg retrieval procedure, the usual rules are that a patient should have nothing to eat or drink after midnight.

2. Before You Leave

Before you leave for the clinic, remember to wear comfortable clothing. Double check on the things you cannot apply to your body. For example, most fertility clinics tell patients the following for egg retrieval day:

• No perfume, body lotion, or any fragrance
• Do not wear makeup
• No hairstyling products such as hairspray or heavily scented shampoo or conditioner

Don’t hesitate to call the clinic or your egg donor agency coordinator if you have any questions about this.

3. At the Clinic

On egg retrieval day, you already will have chosen a companion to accompany you for the procedure. After you check in, you’ll go to a preoperative area so that you can change into a hospital gown. After you get settled in, a nurse will take your vitals such as your temperature and blood pressure.

Also stopping by will be the anesthesiologist who will explain how they are going to relax you and administer the medication to make you sleep during the procedure.

Next, your nurse will take you to the operating room.  The medical team will put you at ease.

4. The Procedure Takes Under 30 Minutes

An egg retrieval is called a minimally invasive procedure. There are no incisions. There are no stitches. Once your anesthesia is administered, your doctor will start the egg retrieval which lasts between 20 to 30 minutes. The doctor will use an ultrasound probe to help guide them to your ovaries. The eggs will be retrieved through a process called aspiration.

5. After The Egg Retrieval

Following the procedure, you will wake up in a recovery room. Most patients are in recovery for a couple of hours. When you feel up to it, your nurse will give you crackers and something to drink.

While every woman is different, you may experience some spotting, cramping or bloating. Before you leave, you will also receive postoperative instructions including what to take if there is any discomfort.

When you get discharged, your companion will drive you home or to your hotel. While you may feel perfectly fine, get plenty of rest. It’s always recommended to have the companion stay with you for the first 24 hours after an egg retrieval.

6. Recovery and More

Most patients find that they can go back to work or school within two days after their egg retrieval. As far as getting back into an exercise routine, most doctors advise that patients wait until they start their next menstrual cycle which typically happens a week after the retrieval.

Again, these instructions are patient and clinic-specific.