What Is Egg Retrieval (Oocyte Retrieval)? How Should You Prepare, and What Should You Eat to Avoid OHSS?

A Complete Guide to Preparation + Nutrition

If you have reached the egg retrieval stage, you have most likely not had an easy journey. This is the point where treatment moves from “evaluation and diagnosis” into the phase of “real action,” and that is exactly why anxiety becomes stronger.

Many people at this stage face similar questions:

Is egg retrieval painful?
How is the anesthesia done?
Could I develop OHSS?
What should I do, and what should I avoid?

The truth is that egg retrieval, despite what many imagine at first, is a standard and controlled procedure. At the same time, it is one of the most sensitive stages of IVF—a stage in which both medical decisions and personal behaviors can affect your experience.

What Exactly Is Egg Retrieval?

Egg retrieval, also called oocyte retrieval or puncture, is a stage of assisted reproductive treatments such as IVF in which eggs are removed from the ovarian follicles so they can be prepared for fertilization in the laboratory. This procedure is usually done under light anesthesia so that the person does not feel pain and has a calmer experience.

During the procedure, the doctor uses a transvaginal ultrasound to precisely visualize the follicles. Then, with a very fine needle that passes through the vaginal wall, the fluid inside the follicles—which contains the eggs—is removed. The entire procedure usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes, and in most cases, the person is discharged the same day.

Where Does This Process Actually Begin?

One of the common misunderstandings is that IVF begins at the very first visit to the doctor, when in reality, this journey starts only after the initial evaluations are fully completed and the need for assisted reproduction is confirmed.

So, the egg retrieval pathway begins when:

Initial evaluations and ultrasound assessments have been completed
Different tests (hormonal tests, sperm analysis, ovarian reserve tests) have been done separately for the woman and the man
The need for assisted reproduction, laboratory fertilization, or IVF has been confirmed

Then:

The process begins on days 1 to 3 of the menstrual period (depending on the individual case)
Transvaginal ultrasounds are performed repeatedly every 2 to 3 days
If the ovaries are ready, stimulation medications are started

Egg Retrieval Is Not Always for IVF

An important point that receives less attention is that egg retrieval is not done for only one purpose; depending on the individual’s situation, it may serve different goals:

Egg freezing
Embryo freezing
Egg donation

In some cases, the purpose of egg retrieval is simply egg freezing; that means the eggs are collected and stored for future use without fertilization. This is very useful for people who want to postpone pregnancy or preserve fertility before treatments such as chemotherapy.

In another scenario, egg retrieval is done for embryo freezing. In this case, the man also provides a sperm sample at the same time. This sample is cleaned in the laboratory, and then the embryologist performs fertilization using different methods. The resulting embryos are grown for several days in a controlled environment and then frozen for later use.

In cases where donor eggs are used, a donor undergoes egg retrieval, and the eggs are used for the recipient. In this situation as well, fertilization usually takes place in the laboratory, and the embryo is prepared for transfer or storage.

The Ovarian Stimulation Stage (Before Retrieval)

At this stage:

Hormonal medications are injected daily or several times a day at specific times
Adherence to the exact timing of injections and medications is extremely important during retrieval and IVF cycles
The goal is to stimulate the growth of several follicles in one menstrual cycle instead of just one natural egg

This stage usually lasts 10 to 14 days.

During this time:

Repeated ultrasounds
Follicle size monitoring
Medication dose adjustments

are done every 2 to 3 days, depending on the doctor’s judgment.

Medication Injections and Precise Timing with the DLady Medication Reminder Module

Before egg retrieval, the body enters a stage in which the ovaries are stimulated with hormonal medications so that several follicles grow instead of just one. This phase usually lasts 10 to 14 days, and during it, the person is closely monitored with ultrasounds and laboratory tests.

Missing a dose of medication or an injection—or taking it at inconsistent times—can negatively affect the quality of the process. By installing the DLady app and setting the times for your injections and medications, you can reduce your stress. DLady sends relevant notifications based on the name of your medication. Install DLady now through this Google Play link.

When the follicles reach the appropriate size, an important injection is given that plays a key role in the final maturation of the eggs. After this injection, timing becomes extremely important, because egg retrieval should usually be performed about 34 to 36 hours later. Based on the time scheduled for your procedure, your doctor will tell you the exact hour to take the trigger injection.

So when the follicles reach the right size:

A very important trigger injection is given to release and mature the eggs
This stage is highly sensitive—even a few hours of error can affect egg quality, so pay close attention to the exact timing you are given
Install the DLady app so you don’t forget your medications and injections

🏥 What Happens on the Day of Egg Retrieval?

On the day of egg retrieval, the person usually needs to be fasting, and because light anesthesia is used, evaluations such as an ECG and a consultation with the anesthesiologist may be done. These requirements may vary slightly depending on the protocol of each treatment center, but the main goal is to ensure the patient’s safety.

Before the procedure:

You usually need to be fasting
Necessary tests such as:
- ECG
- Blood tests
- Consultation with the anesthesiologist

are done according to the clinic’s protocol.

During the procedure:

Don’t worry, because:

The anesthesia is light
The procedure is painless
It usually takes 20–30 minutes

and you recover quickly.

After the procedure:

Enjoy a glass of natural fruit juice.

1–2 hours of recovery is usually enough
Discharge happens the same day
If you work and do not have a physically demanding job, you may return to work the next day (provided you do not develop OHSS)
Do not lift heavy objects
Do not exercise until your ovaries return to normal size

Give your body rest and pay attention to your symptoms. Usually everything goes well, but sometimes OHSS can occur.

⚠️ What Is OHSS and Why Does It Matter?

One of the most important concerns at this stage is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, or OHSS. This happens when the ovaries respond too strongly to stimulation medications and become swollen, often with fluid accumulation.

Who is more at risk of OHSS?

People with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)
People with high AMH
Younger individuals
People with many follicles

The severity of this syndrome can vary—from mild symptoms such as bloating and abdominal discomfort to more severe cases that require urgent medical attention.

🚨 Warning Signs That Should Not Be Ignored

If after retrieval you experience symptoms such as:

Severe abdominal pain
Significant bloating
Nausea and vomiting
Reduced urination
Shortness of breath or severe weakness

you should contact your doctor and go to the treatment center or hospital emergency department without delay. These symptoms can indicate severe OHSS or other important complications. When you go in, be sure to mention that you recently had egg retrieval.

🔬 How Is Fertilization Performed?

After the eggs are collected and the sperm is prepared, there are two main methods for fertilization, and the choice depends entirely on the couple’s condition:

ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection)
Conventional IVF

In ICSI, a single sperm is injected directly into the egg. This method is usually used when sperm quality or motility is low, or when natural fertilization did not occur in the past.

In conventional IVF, the egg and sperm are placed together so that the sperm enters the egg naturally. This method is used when sperm quality is suitable and natural fertilization in the laboratory is likely.

Why Is Exercise Restricted During This Period?

During ovarian stimulation and after egg retrieval, the ovaries become larger and more sensitive than usual because of the growing follicles. For this reason, intense activities such as running, jumping, or abdominal workouts can be dangerous.

These activities may increase pain, worsen symptoms, and in rare cases even cause ovarian torsion. Therefore, during this period, light activity such as gentle walking is a much safer choice.

What Role Does Nutrition Play During This Period?

Contrary to popular belief, there is no specific food that alone can prevent OHSS. However, proper nutrition can help the body tolerate this stage better.

During this period, eating protein-rich foods, drinking enough fluids, and in some cases using drinks containing electrolytes can be helpful. For example, foods such as eggs, chicken, fish, yogurt, and light soups may help maintain balance in the body.

Drinks such as lightly salted doogh can also help provide electrolytes, but excessive fluid or salt intake is not recommended, and medical advice should always be followed.

📊 Nutritional Summary

Goal	Why It Matters	What to Eat
High protein	Helps maintain body fluid balance	Eggs, chicken, fish, Greek yogurt
Fluids	Prevents dehydration	Water, low-salt doogh, soup
Electrolytes	Maintains body balance	Lightly salted doogh, coconut water
Light and easy to digest	Reduces digestive strain	Soup, plain rice
Fruits and vegetables	Provides vitamins and fiber	Banana, vegetables

What Happens After Egg Retrieval?

After this stage, the journey continues toward embryo transfer. If you want to know what happens next, we suggest reading the following article:

Complete Guide to Embryo Transfer

📱 The Role of DLady in This Journey

At stages like this, what matters most is tracking your menstrual cycle and staying fully committed to the timing of medications and injections. Also, DLady’s preconception checklists for both women and men, which are available separately in the app, can make the path toward finding the best fertility approach much easier for you.

In the medication and injection reminder section, the DLady app helps you stay consistent with your medication schedule. It also helps you better understand your body’s changes by recording symptoms, allowing you to move through this journey with more awareness.

Download the app now and receive personalized solutions for both women and men on the fertility journey: https://dlady.app

Final Summary

Egg retrieval may seem complicated and even scary at first, but in reality it is a standard and manageable part of the IVF journey. With greater awareness, following medical advice, proper nutrition, and avoiding high-risk activities, this phase can be experienced with much more peace of mind.

You are not alone in this journey, and the more informed you are, the more control you will feel.

The DLady fertility library articles, together with the unique features of the app, are here to support you throughout this path.