Egg Retrieval Checklist: What to Have On Hand Before, During & After Your Cycle
If you’re reading this, it means the big event is likely up ahead: your egg retrieval day. The whole cycle of either egg freezing or IVF, and every single injection has led to this moment. And it’s completely normal to have a little bit of the pre-retrieval jitters… trust us.
One way to calm the nerves and help you feel prepared for anything that comes your way post-procedure is keeping a tidy list of egg retrieval essentials on hand. Having your medicine cabinet stocked with things like IVF injection supplies and anything to help with post-egg retrieval recovery is one way to keep stress at bay: That way, you’ll have no surprise pharmacy runs or astronomical last-minute delivery bills when you’re trying to rest after the fact.
Whether it’s your first time experiencing the egg retrieval stage of treatment, or you know the drill from a prior egg freezing experience and want a quick refresher course, it can be tricky to decide exactly what to buy before your egg retrieval. What’s a necessity for recovery vs. a nice-to-have item? Luckily, we’re here for you with all the logistics you need to shop and be aware of - from egg retrieval comfort items to egg retrieval recovery tips that will get you through this period as smoothly as possible:
What to expect during an egg retrieval and during egg retrieval recovery
Up to the point of the retrieval, your body has already gone through a lot in the egg freezing preparation or IVF stimulation stage: likely 10-14 days of daily injections to stimulate the growth of egg follicles, along with ultrasounds and bloodwork to monitor the growth process.
Another big moment leading up to egg retrieval is the trigger shot, an injection that often contains the “pregnancy hormone” hcG in order to jump-start the maturation of the eggs so that you can have the healthiest group of egg cells for the retrieval. Getting the timing exactly right can be a stressor, because it could impact the success of the egg retrieval, but your clinic (and Sunfish’s care coordinators) will guide you with all the IVF stimulation tips, including the exact instructions to administer the trigger shot between 34 and 36 hours prior to the egg retrieval procedure. It’s natural to feel some ovarian stimulation bloating and discomfort, and to need some extra TLC before and after your procedure.
During the egg retrieval itself, you’ll most likely be sedated under anesthesia (so you may have to fast from the evening before) and shouldn’t feel the procedure at all except for the placement of an IV. The same ultrasound probe you’ve seen during your monitoring scans is used; the only difference is a needle that comes out the end of the ultrasound probe and is used to suction out the eggs. Between 15 and 30 minutes later, it’ll all be over and you’ll wake up—just remember to secure a safe ride home in advance from a designated family member, significant other, or friend, because you won’t be able to drive for the rest of the day and most clinics do not permit rideshare pick-ups post retrieval.
Post-egg retrieval recovery varies based on the person, but it’s natural to feel groggy, and have some bloating, cramping, even constipation or nausea, and pelvic heaviness or tenderness when moving, as you might when you have period cramps. Sunfish Medical Advisor and REI Dr. Arian Khorshid explains that “Typically there shouldn't be any spotting afterwards. If there is, it doesn't mean something is wrong necessarily, but it does mean that there is bleeding from a needle puncture site.” Light spotting post-procedure can sometimes occur but should resolve by the next day; if you experience heavier bleeding like a menses, notify your clinic immediately. You’ll want to rest for at least the remainder of the day—your clinic will give you more detailed instructions about when you can resume exercising. It can take as long as 2 weeks to feel 100% back to your usual self after an egg retrieval.
It’s a good idea to have both some recovery essentials and egg retrieval comfort items within arm’s reach to help you feel your best after the retrieval. Planning ahead will make the stress of the trigger shot, retrieval, and recovery that much less stressful.
What to have on hand for your egg retrieval cycle
Injection Support
- Dandi shot targets for easier injection placement
- Ice packs for pre-injection numbing
- Heating pad for soreness
- Sharps container, ensuring safe injection disposal
- Alcohol wipes
- Medication organizer or calendar
Recovery & Comfort
- A ride home from a designated person on the day of your retrieval (not a rideshare)
- Electrolyte packs to boost hydration
- Loose or stretchy pants
- Grippy socks
- Heating pad to soothe post-retrieval bloating or cramps
- Oversized sweatshirt or cozy layers
- Pillow for the car ride home
- Stool softeners (if approved by physician)
- Easy-to-digest snacks
- Water bottle with straw
Wellness & Emotional Support
- Low-effort meal prep or delivery plan
- Favorite comfort TV/books/podcasts
- Journal or notes app
- Support person or scheduled mental health clinician check-ins
- Calendar cleared for recovery time
Optional “Nice-to-Haves”
- Blue-light glasses to help regulate your sleep post-anesthesia
- Silk eye mask for maximum relaxation and daytime naps
- Acupuncture appointments for recovery
- Fertility treatment organizer bag
- Compression socks for travel
How Sunfish Can Help
There’s enough to worry about in the preparation for fertility treatment in general, and enough stress the day of the egg retrieval, between thinking about how you’ll feel afterward and how many eggs the procedure may yield. Let us handle everything else: The logistics of billing, scheduling, and check-ins after your egg retrieval so that you’ll know what’s up ahead. That’s the best way to focus on yourself and your comfort as you rest and recover.
Learn more about our all inclusive Egg Freezing and IVF Success programs.
