Egg retrieval is a big step on your in vitro fertilization journey

If you’ve decided to rely on in vitro fertilization, or IVF, to help you conceive, you can expect to undergo an egg retrieval procedure. Your doctor will retrieve eggs after the step of ovarian stimulation. The team at our Dallas-Fort Worth fertility clinic uses proven techniques to safely perform this outpatient procedure. The result then moves you one step closer to starting or growing your family.

What can you expect during an egg retrieval for IVF?

When your eggs mature after taking injectable fertility medications (gonadotropins), you’ll take a final “trigger shot” of hCG. This shot encourages your ovaries to release the eggs through a process known as ovulation.

About 36 hours after taking the final shot, you will come to our Dallas-Fort Worth fertility clinic for the outpatient egg retrieval procedure. You will receive sedation and pain medication to keep you comfortable during the procedure.

To start, your doctor will place an ultrasound probe into the vagina to visualize the egg-containing follicles. Then, he or she will place a tiny needle through the vagina and into the follicles. Using light suction, your doctor will retrieve eggs through the needle. The entire procedure takes about 20 minutes or less.

You will then wake up in a recovery area, and you’ll receive a report about how many eggs your doctor retrieved. You can return home the same day, but you will need someone to drive you. After the retrieval, you may experience some cramping or feelings of pressure. You can take Tylenol to manage this discomfort, but please avoid ibuprofen products (Advil and Motrin).

What is the next step after doctors retrieve eggs?

After your doctor performs your retrieval procedure, the eggs will be sent to the IVF laboratory. An embryologist will place the mature eggs in a culture medium and then incubate them. All the healthy eggs will be combined with sperm from your partner or a donor to hopefully achieve fertilization and create embryos.

If you would like to learn more about IVF, contact us for an appointment. Our Dallas-Fort Worth fertility clinic is here to help you start on your path to parenthood.