How Are Eggs Collected for IVF?

If you’re considering IVF or egg freezing, you’ve probably Googled this question in the quiet hours: How exactly do they collect my eggs?

You’re not alone. It’s a step that sounds clinical, maybe even a little scary—but understanding the process can help it feel less daunting and a lot more empowering.

At fertie, we believe knowledge is power. So here’s everything you need to know about how eggs are collected during IVF—from preparation to recovery—with clarity, kindness, and zero judgment.

First: Why Do We Need to Collect Eggs?

In a natural menstrual cycle, your body matures one egg per month. But in IVF, the goal is to retrieve multiple mature eggs in one cycle to boost the chances of fertilisation and embryo development. To do this, hormone medications are used to gently stimulate your ovaries to grow more eggs than usual.

Step-by-Step: The Egg Collection Process

1. Ovarian Stimulation (Approx. 8–14 Days)

You’ll take daily hormone injections to encourage your ovaries to mature multiple follicles (each follicle contains one egg). Your fertility clinic will monitor your response closely with ultrasounds and blood tests.

📌 Tip: This is the phase where bloating, mood swings, or fatigue may kick in—rest and hydration help!

2. Trigger Shot

When your follicles are ready (usually when they reach ~18mm), you’ll be given a trigger injection to mature the eggs inside. Timing is everything—the egg collection will happen 36 hours after this shot.

3. The Egg Retrieval Procedure

This is the main event—but it’s quick and low-risk. Here’s what happens:

• You’ll be under light sedation or anesthesia (you won’t feel pain).

• The doctor uses a thin ultrasound-guided needle to retrieve the eggs via the vaginal wall—no incisions or cuts.

• The entire procedure takes about 15–30 minutes.

You’ll rest in a recovery area afterward and usually go home the same day.

What Does It Feel Like?

The egg retrieval itself is not painful because of sedation, but afterward, you may feel:

• Cramping or bloating (like period pain)

• Tiredness or grogginess from anesthesia

• Mild spotting for a day or two

Most people take 1–2 days off work to rest. A hot water bottle, comfy clothes, and lots of snacks are your best friends.

How Many Eggs Are Collected?

It depends on your age, ovarian reserve, and how your body responds to stimulation. Some retrieve below 10 eggs, others 15–20 or more. Quality matters just as much as quantity—and your fertility team will guide you on what’s best for your goals.

Emotional Check-In

Egg retrieval isn’t just a medical step—it can bring up a lot emotionally. Relief, hope, anxiety, even grief. That’s all normal. Give yourself permission to feel it all.

This is a big deal—and we’re proud of you.

What Happens After Retrieval?

• If you're freezing eggs: they’ll be frozen and stored safely.

• If you're doing IVF: the eggs will be fertilized with sperm, and embryos monitored for transfer or freezing.

Your doctor will debrief you within a day or two.

Final Thoughts

Egg collection can feel like a big, medical moment—but understanding what’s happening helps turn it into an informed, empowering step. Every follicle, every appointment, every decision is part of something hopeful.

👉 Inside our Fertility 101 course, we walk you through the IVF and egg freezing process—from hormones to recovery—so you know what to expect and how to prepare.

You deserve to feel informed and supported—and we’re with you every step of the way.

You don’t have to figure this alone

Inside fertie, you’ll get:

• Expert-led courses to make informed decisions

• Private support from women on the same path

• Exclusive partner clinic perks & discounts

Disclaimer: Prices and treatment protocols vary by clinic and individual. Always consult with your fertility specialist for accurate, up-to-date pricing and guidance tailored to your situation.