Egg Retrieval: What to Expect Before, During and After the Procedure

Egg retrieval (oocyte pick-up, or OPU) is the short procedure at the heart of every IVF cycle: the moment the matured eggs are collected from the ovaries and handed to the laboratory. Most patients are surprised by how quick and comfortable it is.

Before the procedure: the trigger shot

After about 8–14 days of stimulation injections and monitoring, a final "trigger" injection matures the eggs. Timing is precise: retrieval happens about 34–36 hours after the trigger, just before the ovaries would release the eggs on their own.

What happens during egg retrieval?

The procedure is performed under light sedation, so you sleep through it and feel no pain. Guided by transvaginal ultrasound, the doctor passes a fine needle through the vaginal wall into each ovary and gently aspirates the fluid from each follicle. The embryologist immediately examines the fluid under the microscope to find the eggs. There are no incisions and no stitches.

How long does it take?

Typically 15–30 minutes, depending on the number of follicles. With preparation and a short recovery in the clinic, expect to spend a few hours in total and go home the same day — accompanied, as sedation means you cannot drive.

Is egg retrieval painful?

During the procedure — no, thanks to sedation. Afterwards, mild cramping, bloating or spotting for a day or two is common and usually well controlled with simple pain relief. Most patients return to normal activities within a day.

Recovery and warning signs

Rest the day of the procedure, drink plenty of fluids and avoid strenuous exercise for a few days. Contact your clinic if you develop severe abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, fever, or rapidly increasing bloating — rare signs of complications such as ovarian hyperstimulation (OHSS), which careful monitoring is designed to prevent.

How many eggs will be collected?

It varies with age and ovarian reserve — anywhere from a few to twenty or more. Quality matters more than quantity: not every follicle contains a mature egg, and not every egg fertilises. Your doctor will set realistic expectations from your monitoring scans.

What happens next?

The same day, eggs are fertilised in the laboratory (by conventional IVF or ICSI). A fresh embryo transfer typically follows 3–5 days after retrieval; alternatively, embryos are frozen for a frozen embryo transfer in a later cycle — whichever suits your medical situation best.