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08/26 2022

The Ultimate Guide to Egg Retrieval – Everything You Need to Know!

For women undergoing egg retrieval for the first time, it’s natural to feel nervous about the procedure, worrying about potential risks and side effects 😓.
To help you better understand this essential step in IVF, egg freezing, or egg donation, GENE INFERTILITY MEDICAL CENTER mascot, Little Gene, will guide you through the preparation and post-procedure care 🤫.

-- Before Egg Retrieval Surgery --

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Do not wear makeup, nail polish, or contact lenses. Avoid applying scented lotion or perfume.

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Fasting for 8 hours before surgery (including water!).

-- During the Procedure --

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The procedure takes approximately 30 minutes (about the length of one anime episode!).
Intravenous sedation and anesthesia will be used, so you will be asleep and feel no pain.

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Using transvaginal ultrasound, the eggs are retrieved with a needle, and the follicular fluid is handed to embryologists to find the eggs under a microscope.

The needle passes directly through the vaginal wall, not through the fallopian tubes, so the incision is minimal and will heal naturally without special care.

-- After the Procedure --

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Once the anesthesia wears off, you may experience temporary dizziness, dry mouth, nausea, or mild coughing due to the anesthesia. These symptoms vary from person to person but typically resolve within an hour. You can return home the same day without hospitalization.

General anesthesia temporarily affects memory, judgment, and reflexes. For safety reasons, an accompanying adult is required, and driving or riding a motorcycle is not allowed on the day of the procedure.

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Due to ovarian stimulation, there is a slight risk of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS). After the procedure, we recommend:
► Drinking electrolyte-rich beverages (e.g., sports drinks).
► Consuming plenty of water and high-protein foods (e.g., chicken soup, fish soup).
► Avoiding hard-to-digest, spicy, and high-sodium foods.

If you experience severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, abnormal urination, difficulty breathing, or sudden heavy bleeding, please contact the hospital immediately!

We hope that after reading this, you’ll realize that egg retrieval is not as scary as it seems! If you have any questions about reproductive medicine, feel free to contact us for consultation!