The short version
Egg retrieval is done under sedation, so you won't be awake and aware of it happening. Most patients feel little to nothing during the procedure itself. The part people underestimate is the recovery: cramping, bloating, and fatigue in the 24–48 hours after retrieval are common. For the small percentage of patients who develop ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), the discomfort can be more significant and last longer. But for most people, egg retrieval is manageable — uncomfortable rather than unbearable.
The anxiety about the procedure is often worse than the procedure itself. Knowing what's coming helps.
What actually happens during egg retrieval?
Egg retrieval is an outpatient procedure — you go in, they retrieve the eggs, and you go home a few hours later. Here's the basic sequence:
You arrive at the clinic and get an IV line placed. Your anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist gives you a sedative — usually propofol or a similar medication — and within a minute or two you're out. You won't feel anything during the retrieval itself.
While you're sedated, the doctor uses a thin needle attached to a vaginal ultrasound probe to puncture each follicle in your ovaries and aspirate (suction out) the fluid inside. Each follicle takes a few seconds. The whole retrieval typically takes 15–30 minutes depending on how many follicles you have.
You wake up in recovery feeling groggy. Cramping is common at this point — your ovaries were just punctured multiple times. Most patients stay in recovery for 30–60 minutes, then go home with whoever drove them (you can't drive yourself after sedation). See our IVF timeline guide for how this day fits into the full cycle.
What does it feel like when you wake up?
The most common description from patients is: "like bad period cramps, but in your whole lower abdomen." The ovaries are swollen from the stimulation medication and from the retrieval itself. Many people also feel bloated and pressure in their pelvic area.
Pain intensity varies. Some people feel totally fine once the sedation wears off and go about their day. Others need to spend the afternoon on the couch with a heating pad. The number of follicles you had matters — someone who had 20 follicles retrieved has more ovarian trauma than someone who had 6.
Most clinics prescribe a mild painkiller (often ibuprofen or a low-dose opioid like Tylenol with codeine) to take home. Take it on schedule for the first day rather than waiting until you're in pain — it works better proactively. Heating pads help. So does being horizontal for the afternoon.
How long does the discomfort last?
For most patients: 24–48 hours. The cramping and bloating peak the day of retrieval and gradually ease by day two or three. By day three or four, most people feel back to normal.
Some bloating can persist for a week, especially if you had a high egg count retrieval. Your ovaries may remain enlarged for 1–2 weeks after retrieval, which can cause intermittent discomfort. This is normal and doesn't require treatment unless symptoms escalate.
What is OHSS and how do I know if I have it?
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is the complication people worry about with egg retrieval — the ASRM has a full overview here, and it's worth understanding. OHSS happens when the ovaries overreact to stimulation hormones — they become very enlarged, and fluid can leak from blood vessels into the abdomen and sometimes the chest.
Mild OHSS is actually pretty common — some degree of bloating and discomfort affects a meaningful proportion of patients, especially those with high egg counts or polycystic ovaries. Severe OHSS (with significant fluid accumulation, difficulty breathing, or rapid weight gain) is less common, affecting about 1–2% of IVF patients.
Signs that your recovery has crossed into OHSS territory and you should call your clinic:
- Rapid weight gain (more than 2 pounds in a day, or 5+ pounds in a week after retrieval)
- Severe abdominal bloating or pain that's getting worse rather than better
- Nausea or vomiting that prevents you from eating or drinking
- Difficulty breathing or feeling short of breath
- Decreased urination despite drinking fluids
If you develop any of these, contact your clinic immediately. Severe OHSS is treatable — but you need to be assessed.
The good news is that most clinics now use a "freeze all" strategy for patients who show signs of developing OHSS: all embryos are frozen and no transfer happens in the same cycle, which dramatically reduces the chance of severe OHSS. The worst OHSS cases are triggered by the pregnancy hormones produced after a fresh transfer.
Does the needle hurt going in?
You won't feel it — you're sedated. The needle enters through the vaginal wall into the ovaries, which would obviously be very painful without sedation. Some clinics also use local anesthesia in addition to systemic sedation, but the sedation alone is usually sufficient. The few minutes between when you lie down and when the sedation kicks in can feel nerve-wracking, but it works quickly.
Some patients feel slight cramping in recovery before the painkillers fully take hold, especially if they wake up before the local anesthesia has fully worn off. This passes quickly.
Can I work after egg retrieval?
Most people take the day of retrieval off (more on this in our guide to working during IVF) — you need someone to drive you home and you'll likely be groggy for several hours from the sedation. Whether you need the next day off depends on your job and how you feel. Office work from home is usually manageable by day two for most patients. Physical labor, standing all day, or anything that requires being on your feet is harder — some people need 2–3 days.
It's worth being conservative in your planning. Some patients feel great the next day; others don't. Build in a buffer if your job allows it.
Is egg retrieval more painful if you retrieve more eggs?
Generally yes. More follicles means more punctures to the ovarian tissue, more swelling, and more fluid movement. A patient who produces 20 eggs typically has a rougher recovery than someone who produces 6. This isn't a reason to aim for fewer eggs — more eggs gives you more chances — but it's useful to understand why some patients have a harder time than others.
High-responders (patients who produce many follicles) are also the group most at risk for OHSS, so they're typically monitored more closely during the stim phase and have their trigger shot timing adjusted carefully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is egg retrieval done under general anesthesia?
Usually IV sedation (conscious sedation or "twilight"), not full general anesthesia. You're deeply sedated and won't feel anything or remember the procedure, but you're not on a breathing tube. The sedation wears off relatively quickly — most patients are alert within 30–60 minutes of waking up, though groggy for longer.
How long does egg retrieval take?
The procedure itself typically takes 15–30 minutes. Add time for prep, IV placement, and recovery — most patients are at the clinic for 2–4 hours total.
Can I take ibuprofen after egg retrieval?
Yes — ibuprofen is commonly recommended for post-retrieval cramping. Some clinics advise avoiding it in the few days before retrieval (to avoid any effect on follicle rupture), but after retrieval it's generally fine. Your clinic will give you specific guidance on what to take and when.
When can I have sex after egg retrieval?
Most clinics advise waiting until your ovaries have returned to normal size — usually 1–2 weeks after retrieval. With enlarged ovaries, ovarian torsion (twisting) is a rare but serious risk. Check with your clinic for specific guidance based on your situation.