Procedure prep
Fasting Before IVF Egg Retrieval
Egg retrieval (oocyte retrieval) is a short procedure — often just 20–30 minutes — but it's done under sedation or light anesthesia, so fasting is essential. The timing is unusually strict because it's set by your trigger injection.
Fasting for this procedure
→ Get your exact fasting times with the calculator
Medicines to check
- Keep taking your IVF medicines and the trigger injection exactly on schedule — the timing is critical to the cycle.
- Blood thinners / aspirin — many fertility patients take low-dose aspirin or heparin; ask your clinic whether to take it on the morning of retrieval. See medications to stop.
- Regular medicines and inhalers — confirm which to take with a small sip of water.
When this surgery may be delayed
- Fever, a new cough/cold, or a chest infection
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Very high blood pressure or blood sugar
- You ate or drank outside your fasting window
- Signs of ovarian hyperstimulation (severe bloating, rapid weight gain, breathlessness) — call your clinic
Reports & documents to carry
- Photo ID and insurance card
- A written list of all your medicines and doses
- Any blood tests, ECG, or scans your team asked for
- Consent forms or referral letters, and allergy details
- Your clinic's exact arrival time and trigger-shot time
- A responsible adult to take you home (you can't drive after sedation)
What to ask your anesthesia team
- What time is my retrieval, and when exactly should I stop eating and drinking?
- Which of my medicines do I take on the morning, and do I take aspirin?
- Will I have sedation or general anesthesia?
- What pain or bloating is normal afterward, and when should I call?
Your prep checklist
Tick things off as you sort them — saved on this device only, nothing is sent anywhere.
A general guide — your hospital's own instructions always come first.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to fast for IVF egg retrieval?
Yes. Even though it's a short procedure, it's done under sedation or light anesthesia, so you must fast — typically no solid food for about 6–8 hours and no clear liquids for about 2 hours before your arrival time.
Why is the timing of egg retrieval so strict?
Retrieval is scheduled about 34–36 hours after your trigger injection, when the eggs are mature but before they're released. That's why your arrival time is fixed and the trigger shot must be given exactly on time — plan your last meal backward from your slot.
Why am I asked not to wear perfume or scented products?
The eggs are handled in a sensitive embryology lab, where strong scents and chemicals can affect the eggs and embryos. Most clinics ask you to skip perfume, scented lotions, and nail polish on the day.
Can I drive home after egg retrieval?
No. Sedation and anesthesia make it unsafe to drive for the rest of the day, so arrange a responsible adult to take you home and stay with you.