Fertility Blog

Some Ask Monica episodes may contain references to our previous name, RMA of CT. Learn more here.

You're finally ready to take the next big step on your IVF journey: egg retrieval and embryo creation. This is an exciting stage, but can also feel disheartening as you receive daily reports of your dwindling egg or embryo count. Is this normal? And what is IVF attrition rate?

If IVF was a movie, the medications would be the villainous sidekicks. Not the menacing bad guy, but all the annoying, unwanted plot points along the way. Even when you know they're essential to the journey, you still wish you could skip to the end without encountering them.

As you prepare for your IVF egg retrieval, you may be wondering: What kind of sedation or anesthesia will be used for my egg retrieval? What measures are in place to ensure I remain comfortable? Get answers to all these questions and more, straight from an experienced surgeon at a fertility clinic.

Fertility treatments are considered very safe, but all medical procedures carry some risk of potential side effects. With in vitro fertilization (IVF), each stage of the process can bring on a unique set of symptoms. Here's what IVF side effects you can expect throughout your journey.

You’ve finally made it to your egg retrieval! As you prepare for this big milestone, let's walk through the biggest side effects of IVF egg retrieval - what to expect, what symptoms to look out for, how to spot OHSS, and what comes next on your fertility journey.

As a nurse at Illume Fertility who has also been a patient here, I know how daunting fertility treatment can be. One of the big milestones in IVF is egg retrieval day - let's talk about what to expect before, during, and after your procedure so you feel as prepared as possible!