I received twilight anesthesia during the retrieval procedure, which resulted in a peaceful nap. I didn’t experience any pain from the retrieval itself, just some discomfort and bloating from the follicles. However, it was difficult to discern the source of these sensations.
Although many have already shared their experiences, I wanted to contribute mine just in case. I underwent egg retrieval a couple of years ago and was put under for the procedure. Due to my PCOS, a large number of eggs were retrieved, totaling 55. Following testing, 36 were deemed viable and 19 made it to day 5. Recovery was challenging for about a day due to fluid build-up in the sacs, causing discomfort and difficulty in lying down. However, with plenty of water intake and support from my husband, I managed to alleviate the discomfort and was practically back to normal within a day. Despite the temporary challenges, the outcome made it all worth it.
I underwent 4 egg retrieval procedures where I received a sedative as well as gas and air. While there were moments of pain during the collections, it was bearable. I felt no pain afterwards and spent the afternoons relaxing at my mom’s house before returning to work the following day.
I didn’t experience any pain, just bloating afterwards. It didn’t prevent me from working or doing activities that day.
I underwent six retrievals, each yielding between 3 to 11 follicles, with minimal discomfort. I experienced only mild cramps during recovery, which did not require pain medication. I used a heating pad and miralax as a precaution. After each retrieval, I took the day off work, resting and dozing off throughout the day.
I did not require sedation (I am in Canada) and there was no pain whatsoever. Best of luck to you!
I was unable to provide feedback on the actual procedure as I was under anesthesia, but I experienced severe lower abdominal pain and discomfort after returning home. My husband had to assist me with basic tasks like walking and using the toilet due to Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS). Initially, I did not have constipation but later developed it because of the pain. My recovery was difficult but thankfully only lasted three days. I recommend bringing comfortable clothes, slippers, a robe, charger, and something to keep yourself occupied while waiting. Don’t forget to bring a drink bottle with a straw in case you have difficulty sitting up. Wishing you a successful procedure and remember that you are stronger than you realize.
I traveled to my clinic, which involved a ferry ride, and decided to stay overnight in the city instead of traveling right after. The procedure was painful for me as a red head with different medication metabolism. I had to take extra doses and felt fatigued and sore. I took it easy that night and managed the week after by taking Tylenol and naproxen regularly, glad I had the week off work.
I was put under at my clinic and the recovery from my surgery was extremely painful. It took at least 3 days of bed rest before I started feeling like myself again. My advice is to take stool softener prior to surgery, use a heating pad, drink electrolytes, eat warm food, and rest as much as possible. Also, pack an extra pillow for your comfort if you’re traveling. Wishing you luck in your recovery process! Make sure to take extra strength Tylenol every 6-8 hours.
I’ll be completely honest - the experience was incredibly rough and painful due to my stage 3 endometriosis and adenomyosis. I wish I had heard more stories like mine before going through it. Doctors should be more upfront about the potential for pain, as it’s not always a smooth process. Each person’s experience can vary, and I hope yours is as painless as possible. In my country, anesthesia is standard, and I’m thankful for that. I recommend staying hydrated, taking pain medication, and resting. Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous movements for the first week. Most people can return to work the next day, but everyone’s recovery is different. My personal experience was intense, but others I met had minimal pain and were back to normal quickly.
I am a nurse on my fifth retrieval and was surprised to see so many people using heating packs immediately after the procedure. While I don’t want to be a nag, I don’t think it’s the best idea, at least not on the first day. I decided to consult my ChatGPT to make sure I was thinking clearly, especially since I am six days into my stim meds and experiencing brain fog. It is generally recommended to use a cool pack (not directly on the skin) after IVF egg retrieval to reduce swelling, discomfort, or cramping. Cold therapy can help constrict blood vessels and reduce inflammation, aiding in the immediate recovery period. Heating pads should be used with caution as they can increase blood flow and potentially exacerbate swelling. If you are unsure or experiencing significant discomfort, it is best to consult your fertility specialist for personalized guidance.
I am located in the US where they offer full anesthesia. Leading up to the procedure, I experienced bloating and slight discomfort when transitioning from sitting to standing. However, I did not experience any significant pain. Following the egg retrieval, I had some cramps which were alleviated with the heating pad. Thankfully, I did not have any stomach problems or constipation.
I completed mine at 10 am on Wednesday. I got 20 retrieved and went back to work at 8 am the following Thursday. I must admit, I didn’t feel great, but as a hairstylist, I was on my feet all day!
I underwent 6 egg retrievals and did not experience any pain. No pain medication was required. I dealt with severe constipation after surgery and some mild cramping. Retrievals were done when I was 39-40, resulting in a lower egg count. More post-retrieval symptoms may occur with a large number of eggs retrieved or if anesthesia is not used during the procedure.
Which level of sedation will be administered to you during the procedure? In most cases, Propofol sedation is used, which is not as deep as general anesthesia. General anesthesia is seldom used.
How many follicles are anticipated during the procedure?
Do you have endometriosis or adenomyosis?
These factors will influence your experience. I took diclofenac and it greatly helped during the procedure with 37 eggs.
I share the same concern. I have to travel four hours for medical appointments and have had a negative experience with a painful gynecological procedure in the past. I don’t handle these situations well, and I feel that doctors tend to be dishonest about the level of pain involved.
I was in a bit of pain, but it was manageable, and it improved with each passing day.
I have undergone two egg retrievals and was given “twilight anesthesia” for both. My experiences in terms of pain and recovery were different for each. I stayed in a hotel overnight for both retrievals and found driving uncomfortable due to bloating. I suggest something soft for your stomach and taking breaks to stretch while traveling.
For the first retrieval, I felt nauseous and in pain after waking up. Despite medication, I was out of it and nauseous for a couple of days. I used an electric heating pad for pain, which was manageable like period cramps. There was spotting for several days. For the second retrieval, I informed the medical staff of my previous bad reaction and received a combination of medications that made me feel much better upon waking up. I experienced no pain and minimal spotting.
During recovery, staying hydrated with electrolytes/Gatorade, using an electric heating pad, and wearing comfortable clothing are helpful. Rest, relaxation, and protein-packed snacks and meals are recommended. It is advised to recover for two nights after retrieval for better comfort while traveling home. Best of luck to you!
After experiencing two rounds, I can confirm that the first one was less painful than the second. Overall, it was a terrible but brief experience. I would compare the pain level to a painful HSG, at least in my case. I recommend asking your doctor to prescribe a beta blocker or anti-anxiety medication to take before the procedure. If you haven’t taken it before, test it out beforehand to know how quickly it will take effect. Personally, I took lorazepam. The aftermath of both rounds was unpleasant, with lingering pain and bloating for 3-4 days.
After having 21 eggs retrieved, I experienced significant pain on the day of the procedure, but I have endured worse pain from previous treatments. I was prescribed codeine to take with paracetamol, and I would compare the pain to feeling like a dull knife scraping over my uterus.
By the second day, the pain had lessened to mild discomfort, and by the third day, I hardly felt any pain but was extremely fatigued. I didn’t feel like the codeine was helping with the fatigue. As for day 5, it has been more about fatigue than pain in the past couple of days.
I started taking a stool softener before the egg retrieval, and even though the clinic advised me to wait for a bowel movement, I took it the night of the procedure and a laxative on the second day. Having a bowel movement on day 3 made a significant difference in relieving the bloating and discomfort.
The clinic also took various measures to prevent ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), including a Lupron trigger, letrazole to reduce estrogen levels for two days, and 5 days of cetrotide and lovenox after the egg retrieval, which may have contributed to my overall recovery.