Feel proud of yourself as you approach your egg retrieval. An IVF stimulation cycle is no easy task. You’ve had early morning monitoring, many blood draws, and countless injections. Your body and emotions have been on a wild ride, and your retrieval is the last stop before you can put this cycle behind you.
After egg retrieval, it's common to experience mild cramping, bloating, and sometimes a bit of pelvic discomfort. Please remember to take care of yourself and not rush back to your normal activities. Your body has given a lot and here are ways to support a smooth recovery.
Diet
The food you eat will help your body recover faster. Some guidance on how to eat in the week following your retrieval is as follows:
Cooked -Aim to eat warm, cooked, and easy-to-digest foods that don’t typically upset your stomach like soups, stews, steamed organic vegetables, rice, and oatmeal.
High-Protein - Having food high in protein will help you heal. Great protein sources are meat, fish, eggs, lentils, beans, and tofu.
Green Vegetables - Foods that help filter the liver are great during this time. Consider having a daily green juice with ginger and lemon. Dandelion tea is great. This is the closest to a “detox” this acupuncturist will ever prescribe.
Probiotics - Probiotic-rich and fermented foods like kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, and kombucha are great at supporting the digestive system.
Omega-3s - Foods high in Omega-3 like fatty fish and nuts will help lower inflammation.
Avoid - Raw foods, extremely rich or spicy foods, and alcohol. Limit caffeine.
Continue to follow any individualized advice given by your practitioner.
Rest
On the day of your retrieval, you will be put under IV anesthesia. You will not be able to drive yourself home and will need help from a partner or friend. Once home, please rest. You’ll likely feel groggy and your pelvis may feel tender. If possible, take the day off work, and find child care if necessary. Think of the day as a sick day. Lay on the couch, watch TV, or read, and focus on recovering.
Hydrate
Hydration is key to feeling better because it supports the kidney in flushing out the medications (including anesthesia) you’ve taken and reduces the risk of water retention. Electrolytes are a great option. I like LMNT because it has no added sugar (but it’s very salty so dilute it in 32 ounces of water) or Cure because it’s low in sugar but tastier. Drinking coconut water is also wonderful.
Avoid Getting Constipated
Constipation can happen after a retrieval due to high progesterone levels, pain medications, and lack of movement. Get ahead of it by staying hydrated and eating high-fiber foods like dark leafy greens, vibrant fruits, whole grains, beans, and lentils. Aloe juice and prunes can be helpful. If you’re prone to constipation already, consider having a stool softer at home just in case.
Get Acupuncture
Get acupuncture in the days following your retrieval. It will help reduce bloating, pelvic pain, and regulate your digestion. It will also support your nervous system by lowering cortisol levels improving your ability to recover physically and mentally.
At Home Care Kit
Here are some helpful items to have ready at home
Organic cotton pads- you will likely spot for 2-3 days following retrieval and tampons are not recommended
A heating pad - Your lower abdomen will likely be tender and your stomach may still be bloated. Hug your heating pad.
Pain relievers - Your doctor may send you home with pain medication. A good over-the-counter option is Tylenol to help with pelvic pain.
Cozy clothes- You may continue to feel bloated for a few days and up to two weeks after retrieval. Don’t put unnecessary pressure on your abdomen (and yourself) by squeezing into uncomfortable clothes.
Warning Signs
There is a risk of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) following a retrieval, so look out for these signs and call your doctor right away if you experience any of them.
Significant abdominal swelling
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Sudden weight gain (2-3 lbs in under 24 hours)
Shortness of breath
Things to Avoid
Your ovaries are very sensitive, so avoid any heavy lifting or high-impact exercise on the day of retrieval. To lower your risk of infection, for one week after retrieval no penetrative sexual activity, vaginal douches, and avoid being submerged in water (stick to showers).
Mindset
While recovering you will be receiving updates about your retrieval. You'll likely know the number of follicles retrieved while you're in the recovery room. The day after, you’ll be updated on how many were mature, and if you're creating embryos, how many fertilized. From there you may be updated on day 3 to see how many are still growing. (Some clinics will transfer "day 3" embryos.) You’ll learn about the first round of blastocysts on day 5, and then again if more resulted on day 6 and 7.
This can be a hard week, even when the news is good. Give yourself grace if you’re feeling distracted, anxious, or sad. You’re processing complex emotions while coming off of high levels of hormones. This isn't easy, and it can feel like too much. Surround yourself with supportive people, listen to guided meditations, take care of your body, get acupuncture, get some fresh air, and remember you’re strong. Sending you love!
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