If you don’t know the ins and outs of the medical process of surrogacy, that’s OK. We’ll walk you through the dos and don’ts before your egg retrieval so that you can feel confident in the procedure and your journey to parenthood.
Knowing how to prepare for egg retrieval will not only alleviate any concerns you have going in, but inform you about what to do before and after.
Contact us online to get the support you deserve in the next steps of this life-changing journey, whether that means finding a fertility clinic to create embryos or beginning the surrogacy planning questionnaire while you wait during the medical process.
If you have extenuating circumstances and questions when it comes to preparing for your egg retrieval, we can find the best solution for you moving forward.
How to Prepare for Egg Retrieval
Preparing for egg retrieval is another important step in this journey toward growing your family. These egg retrieval preparation tips are a good place to start:
Improving egg quality and ovarian function can be done by following the dos and don’ts before egg retrieval but it requires planning. With your eggs requiring maturation that can take up to three months, that’s typically the recommended time to plan ahead by improving your egg quality and ovarian function. In addition to avoiding sugars, Mediterranean diets have been cited by the National Center for Biotechnology Information as having a positive relationship with fertility. Surrogacy can be an emotionally taxing journey. During egg retrieval preparation, decrease your stress by engaging in things that make you happy or practicing relaxation techniques like meditation or support groups. Sleep is important for so many of your bodily functions. Having the proper amount of sleep is an easy egg retrieval tip because the same part of your brain that regulates the hormones for your sleep also releases reproductive hormones. Not getting enough sleep could impact the release of those reproductive hormones that impact the reproductive process. Studies have shown that smoking cigarettes or marijuana can diminish your ovarian reserves. Vaping comes with many unknown chemicals that could harm your body during the surrogacy journey. Egg retrieval preparation requires your ovaries to be stimulated with fertility drugs that will help you produce multiple eggs. Knowing what these drugs do can help you understand their side effects and the role they play in boosting fertility. Staying on top of your regimen of medications is another way to help make the process as smooth and straightforward as possible. Whether that’s having a set time to take them or making sure you have plenty of what you need. Sanitation is important when administering fertility injections. You can have the needed materials and sanitation areas ready address what comes after taking the fertility medications, from a sink to wash your hands to gauze and bandages in case of any slight bleeding.
How Long After Trigger Shot Is Egg Retrieval?
The egg retrieval trigger shot usually happens 36 hours before egg retrieval.
The trigger shot for your egg retrieval is a hormonal injection, typically containing human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) which is a hormone that helps your ovaries to mature and release eggs.
What to Do the Day Before Egg Retrieval?
The day before egg retrieval should be reserved for any last preparations that need to be made, such as packing and making sure you have everything needed for your hospital stay.
Preparations can also include prioritizing your mental health as you go into the retrieval by doing things that relax you whether that’s going for a walk, reading a book or just having a relaxing movie night.
In terms of medical preparations, you should not eat any solid foods after midnight and only drink small amounts of water until a few hours before the egg collection takes place.
The Dos and Don’ts Before Egg Retrieval [FAQ]
Can You Drink Alcohol Before Egg Retrieval?
There’s a wide range of opinions when it comes to alcohol and in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Various studies looking at the relationship between IVF and alcohol have found a negative correlation between the two.
Moderate alcohol consumption around the time of the IVF cycle has shown a negative effect on the outcome, whether that’s fewer eggs collected after IVF, lower pregnancy rates or higher miscarriage rates.
The U.S. Surgeon General advises that women who are thinking about becoming pregnant or are already pregnant should abstain from alcohol completely.
Research on the topic varies and you should consult with your doctor to determine what’s best for your situation.
What to Eat Before Egg Retrieval:
In addition to specific diets like Mediterranean being recommended for positively effects folic acid levels and increasing the likelihood of pregnancy, other foods to eat that support fertility are low-glycemic index foods and plant-based proteins such as:
- Vegetables
- Fruit
- Oats
- Lentils
- Chickpeas
- Beans
- Quinoa
What Not to Eat Before Egg Retrieval:
- Red meat
- Pop
- Candy
- Fried foods
- Saturated fats
- Refined sugars
- Processed carbohydrates
Can You Have Sex Before Egg Retrieval?
Yes, you can have sex before egg retrieval. But be aware that your fertility treatments may impact the experience. During ovarian stimulation, for example, it’s fine to have sex but treatments may result in enlarged ovaries, making the actual act uncomfortable.
Enlarged ovaries can also increase the chances of ovarian torsion or an ectopic pregnancy and other phases later on in the process may require abstinence.
Sex before egg retrieval has dissenting opinions with some studies but the general consensus is to consult with your fertility doctor.
Can You Take Antibiotics Before Egg Retrieval?
There are antibiotics that are taken before egg retrieval like doxycycline or Zithromax during an IVF cycle that can address bacteria that could negatively impact implantation.
But the type of antibiotics you take, your body’s chemistry and your dosage is important too. Your situation may not be the same as another intended parent and you should speak to your doctor to determine what’s best for yours.
Can You Have Caffeine Before Egg Retrieval?
There is no set in stone standard for caffeine before egg retrieval. You can take the better safe than sorry approach or limit your caffeine consumption.
The known effects of caffeine on fertility are limited, but caffeine narrows blood vessels while increasing heart rate, blood pressure, metabolism and urine output, all of which are not ideal for those trying to conceive whether naturally or through IVF.
Can You Exercise Before Egg Retrieval?
Yes, you can exercise before egg retrieval. Exercising is a healthy activity with many benefits but for egg retrieval preparation, you should stick to moderate and low-impact exercises such as:
- Swimming
- Walking
- Yoga
- Pilates
- Tai Chi
High-intensity exercises should be avoided, like:
- Running
- Heavy weight lifting
- High-intensity interval training
Although moderate and low-impact exercise is OK before egg retrieval, during the week of egg retrieval, you’ll need to abstain. Your ovaries are enlarged due to the fertility medications and high-intensity exercise can out you at risk of developing ovarian torsion.
Contact Us Today
Surrogacy is a life-altering journey. If you aren’t familiar with it or other parts of your journey like creating embryos, that’s OK. We’re here for you. We’ve got all the services you need as you look to bring your dreams of parenthood to life.
To minimize your surrogacy wait, you can reach out to us today to begin the surrogacy planning questionnaire and become active with our agency while preparing for egg retrieval. Get the support you deserve and learn more about preparing for your egg retrieval by contacting us today.