How Many Eggs Do You Get With An IVF Egg Retrieval?

How Many Eggs Are Retrieved During an IVF Egg Retrieval?

If you’re considering in vitro fertilization (IVF), one of the common questions you may have is: how many eggs are typically retrieved during the process? I had no clue what the answer was when I first started looking into IVF.

The answer varies depending on several factors, but understanding the process, what affects egg retrieval numbers, and what happens after retrieval can help you feel more prepared as you begin your IVF journey.

How Many Eggs Are Retrieved During IVF?

On average, doctors aim to retrieve 10 to 15 eggs during an IVF cycle. However, the actual number can be more or less, depending on your unique situation. My doctors were able to get 68 eggs. Which was crazy high, and something they didn’t see that often.

Some factors that influence egg retrieval numbers include:

• Age: Women under the age of 35 typically have more eggs, while those older may retrieve fewer. Egg quality and quantity naturally decline with age.
• Ovarian Reserve: This refers to the number of eggs a woman has available at any given time.
• Response to Medication: During IVF, you’ll take fertility medications to stimulate the ovaries and encourage multiple eggs to mature. Some women respond well to stimulation, producing a good number of follicles (which contain eggs), while others might have a lower response.
• Underlying Health Conditions: Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can lead to a higher egg count due to increased ovarian activity, while diminished ovarian reserve (common in older women or those with certain medical histories) can lead to fewer eggs. I do have PCOS so this was part of it.

While retrieving more eggs offers more opportunities for successful fertilization, it’s important to remember that not all eggs retrieved will be mature or of the best quality. On average, about 70-80% of the eggs retrieved are typically mature and ready for fertilization.

They fertilized 29 of my eggs. And ended up with 8 embryos at the end.

The IVF Egg Retrieval Process

To give you a better sense of what happens during egg retrieval, let’s walk through the stages of an IVF cycle leading up to the actual procedure.

1. Ovarian Stimulation

The first step in IVF involves stimulating the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. Normally, a woman releases just one egg during a menstrual cycle, but in IVF, the goal is to produce several. You’ll take daily hormone injections (such as follicle-stimulating hormone, or FSH) for around 8-14 days, depending on how your body responds. During this time, your doctor will monitor your follicle development through blood tests and ultrasounds to ensure your ovaries are responding well.

2. Trigger Shot

Once the follicles reach the right size (usually 18-20 mm), you’ll take a “trigger shot” of hCG to help the eggs reach final maturation. This shot is time-sensitive and typically given 36 hours before the egg retrieval procedure.

3. Egg Retrieval Procedure

Egg retrieval is a minimally invasive procedure. It usually takes place under light sedation or anesthesia, so you won’t feel any pain during the process. Here’s what happens:

• The doctor uses an ultrasound-guided needle to gently aspirate the fluid from each follicle, collecting the eggs contained within.
• The process typically takes about 20-30 minutes, depending on how many follicles there are.
• After the procedure, you’ll rest for a short time before being discharged.

4. Recovery

Most women recover quickly from egg retrieval, experiencing only mild cramping or bloating, similar to period pain. It’s common to feel tired from the anesthesia, but symptoms usually subside within a day or two.

5. Fertilization and Embryo Development

Once the eggs are retrieved, they are taken to the lab, where they are either fertilized through conventional IVF or Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), where a single sperm is injected into each egg. After fertilization, the eggs become embryos, and over the next few days, the embryos will be monitored for development. Your doctor will assess the quality and recommend how many embryos to transfer or freeze.

What Happens If Fewer or More Eggs Are Retrieved?

It’s normal to feel concerned if fewer eggs than expected are retrieved, but it’s important to focus on quality, not just quantity. Many women go on to have successful pregnancies with fewer eggs if those eggs are of high quality.

On the other hand, retrieving a larger number of eggs, particularly if you have conditions like PCOS, can increase the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), a condition where the ovaries become swollen and painful. Your doctor will monitor you closely to prevent this from happening and may adjust your medication if needed.

The egg retrieval process is a key step in IVF, and the number of eggs retrieved can vary depending on several personal factors. It’s important to trust your medical team to guide you through this journey and focus on the overall goal—a successful pregnancy. Whether you retrieve a few eggs or a dozen, every step gets you closer to that goal.

If you’re considering IVF or are in the middle of your fertility journey my inbox is always open to chat. You are not alone!