Contents
In an eggshell...
- Take a deep breath- you’re almost at the finish line with the egg collection procedure
- Try to rest up, prepare, and follow clinic instructions before your procedure
- Don't stress out, avoid strenuous exercise, and make sure you have a caretaker on the day of surgery
It’s D- day and you’re a bunch of emotions.
Nervous, tired, excited, eager- to finish the round of stimulations, to go through the procedure and finally enter.. the rest stage 🧃
So we talked to an embryologist and our medical team to bring you all the deets before the procedure.
Here’s our easy-to-follow checklist on your dos and don'ts before the egg collection procedure!
Ready? Jot it down 📝
Dos:
Do take fertility supplements
In the days or weeks leading up to egg retrieval, your clinic may recommend supplements such as Vitamin D, CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10), omega 3 fatty acids and prenatal vitamins that can help maintain egg quality and ensure better preparation for egg collection.
Do sign your consent forms
You’ll be given consent forms for general anaesthesia or conscious sedation before your egg retrieval procedure. Regardless of the option you choose, or your doctor decides is best for you, make sure to sign the consent forms and stay informed of the type of anaesthesia opted for.
Do take time off work
Part of having a smooth egg retrieval experience is making sure your schedule is cleared for the same. If your egg retrieval is scheduled early in the morning, you may be asked to stay under observation until the afternoon or evening.
Once you come off of anaesthesia, feel better and can have some solids and liquids, you’ll be cleared from the clinic to travel home.
So, take that time off work, rest up, relax and prepare before your retrieval.
Do wear loose-fitting clothes
Once at the clinic, you’ll be asked to change into hospital gowns for the procedure. However, make sure you wear loose clothes such as trousers or joggers with an elasticated band to avoid pressure on the abdomen. You may feel some discomfort before and after retrieval due to bloating, so it helps to have clothes that make you feel comfortable and relaxed.
Do have a caretaker tag along
On the day of retrieval, you will still be recovering from sedation and not in a position to drive home or take public transport by yourself.
Hence, it's best to have a caretaker, a family member or a friend look after you post-procedure and help you get home safely.
Dont’s:
Don’t eat or drink the night before egg collection
“We advise patients to not ingest food or liquids such as water at least 7-10 hours before the egg retrieval,” says embryologist Navya Muralidhar. “This is because the procedure requires the patient to be on general anaesthesia or sedation, and having any food or liquid in the stomach can lead to issues such as vomiting”
However, if you do have any medication that you take daily such as thyroid medications, it’s best to ask your healthcare provider whether to ingest or skip it before retrieval.
A good tip would be to have a reminder on your phone or have a family member check-in for you the night before, to stop intake of food or water. This way, any complications such as vomiting are prevented during the egg retrieval and sedation process.
Don't wear jewellery, nail polish or perfumes
This is an extra, yet necessary precaution taken to ensure cleanliness, and hygiene and reduce the risk of bacterial contamination in the surgical room.
Additionally, any lotions or oils that have fragrance, contact lenses, piercings or makeup are also not allowed.
“The embryology lab is also adjacent to the surgical room where the retrieval takes place,” says embryologist Navya Muralidhar. “The lab has strict quality control guidelines, and toxins from nail polish, or perfumes can cause harm if stuck onto lab surfaces, although unnoticeable to the eye”
Don’t consume alcohol or excess caffeine, and avoid smoking
In the days leading up to the retrieval, avoid smoking, excess caffeine and alcohol as they can have a negative effect on egg quality and also your response to stimulation medication.
Post-retrieval, consuming alcohol can also impair or slow down the recovery process. As with any surgical procedure, it's best to avoid anything that impacts the success rates or recovery.
Don’t engage in unprotected intercourse
Sex is quite a no-no in the days leading up to the retrieval and up to a week or two after, depending on what your clinic advises. “This is because the stimulation medications cause multiple follicles to grow, and there are chances that unprotected sex may lead to natural, but multiple pregnancies, which is quite risky,” says Navya Muralidhar.
“On the other hand, there’s also the risk of issues such as ovarian torsion. Due to medications, the ovaries tend to enlarge in volume, making any mobility near the abdomen, such as intercourse, a risk factor for ovarian torsion”
Don’t engage in strenuous activity
By the way, we mean this for before, and after your egg retrieval. Before your egg retrieval and the days leading up to it, you will be on fertility medication that has side effects such as bloating, headache, fatigue, etc.
In general, your ovaries are gearing up to grow more follicles, and strenuous exercise that might affect this process is not recommended.
On the other hand, after your retrieval, your ovaries are recovering and healing from the procedure. During this recovery period, it’s best to hold off on any heavy weight lifting or exercises that might lead to pain, discomfort or conditions such as ovarian torsion.
But do consider light movements such as walking or light jogging and yoga, which can help you during recovery.
Considering egg freezing in the UK? Amilis can help
While egg collection is one part of the process, the way you respond to medication and cycle success rates are influenced by your entire egg-freezing journey.
And at Amilis, we’re here to make it smoother, accessible and affordable for millions of women in the UK.
If you're considering egg freezing or just curious about your fertility, here’s how Amilis can help:
- Affordable AMH tests in the UK (50% less than private clinics!)
- Free 1-1 consultations with Amilis experts (have questions on your fertility or egg freezing? Get them all answered!)
- Free consultations (worth £250) with top, vetted egg freezing clinics in London (chat with a fertility specialist, with zero appointment fees)
If you’re not there yet, there’s still a personalised egg-freezing quiz that you can take to get started.
We’re here to help match you with the best reproductive care in the UK, with support at every step 🫶
We’ve got your back ❤️
