What Is The Retrieval & Recovery Process Like?
The retrieval is done in our office and takes about 15-20 minutes. It is a non-invasive, outpatient surgery where an ultrasound guided needle is inserted through the vaginal wall. The needle to drain the fluid from your ovarian follicles to retrieve the mature eggs. Because this procedure is done vaginally, there are no incisions or scarring. All donors are put under twilight sedation (similar to a wisdom-tooth extraction), so they will not feel any pain or discomfort during the retrieval.
On the day of retrieval, donors are not able to drive or exert themselves. We recommend that donors do not engage in any strenuous activity on the day of retrieval and for a couple of days before and after. However, most women can go back to their normal lives within 24-48 hours.
Many donors experience symptoms similar to those of a menstrual cycle during their recovery. They may notice some cramping, nausea, and spotting. Our nurse will provide all donors with a pain medication to help alleviate any cramping. She will also follow-up with donors after the retrieval to ensure a smooth recovery. To learn more about how the donor egg retrieval process works, please click here!
