The two most defining moments of any IVF treatment cycle are egg retrieval and embryo transfer. For many couples, these are also the steps that cause the most anxiety — simply because they don’t know what to expect.

The good news? Both procedures are safe, well-established, and far gentler than most people imagine. Egg retrieval is a short procedure done under sedation, and embryo transfer is usually quick and painless, much like a routine cervical screening.

This guide walks you through exactly what happens before, during, and after egg retrieval and embryo transfer — so you can walk into your IVF cycle informed, calm, and confident. At Myra IVF Centre in Kenya, under the guidance of Dr. Sarita Sukhija, every step is carefully planned and explained to put you at ease.

Where Egg Retrieval & Embryo Transfer Fit in the IVF Journey

Before diving into the two procedures, it helps to see the full picture. A standard IVF cycle has five main stages:

• 1. Ovarian stimulation — hormone injections encourage the ovaries to grow multiple eggs (about 10–14 days).
• 2. Trigger shot — a final injection matures the eggs, timed precisely before retrieval.
• 3. Egg retrieval — mature eggs are collected from the ovaries.
• 4. Fertilisation & embryo culture — eggs and sperm are combined in the lab and embryos are grown for 3–5 days.
• 5. Embryo transfer — the best embryo is placed into the uterus, followed by the two-week wait.

Egg retrieval and embryo transfer are stages 3 and 5 — the milestones this guide focuses on.

Part 1: Egg Retrieval (Oocyte Retrieval)

Egg retrieval, also called oocyte retrieval or ovum pick-up (OPU), is the procedure in which mature eggs are collected from your ovaries. It is performed in our specialised IVF theatre and is one of the most routine procedures in reproductive medicine.

Before Egg Retrieval: The Preparation Phase

The retrieval doesn’t happen out of the blue — it follows roughly two weeks of careful preparation:

• Ovarian stimulation: You take daily hormone (gonadotropin) injections for about 8–14 days to help several follicles — the fluid-filled sacs that hold eggs — develop together.
• Monitoring: Regular ultrasound scans and blood tests track how your follicles are growing and fine-tune your medication dose.
• The trigger shot: Once your follicles reach the right size, you receive a precisely timed “trigger” injection (hCG or a GnRH agonist) to mature the eggs. Egg retrieval is then scheduled for 34–36 hours later — timing is critical, so follow your instructions exactly.
• Fasting: Because sedation is used, you’ll be asked not to eat or drink for several hours before the procedure.

During Egg Retrieval: Step by Step

• Step 1 — Sedation: You are given light sedation or general anaesthesia, so you are comfortably asleep and feel nothing during the procedure.
• Step 2 — Ultrasound guidance: A transvaginal ultrasound probe with a fine needle attached is used to view the ovaries and follicles on screen.
• Step 3 — Aspiration: The thin needle gently passes through the vaginal wall into each follicle, and the fluid containing the egg is carefully suctioned out. No cuts or stitches are involved.
• Step 4 — Egg identification: The follicular fluid is handed to the embryologist, who locates and isolates the eggs under a microscope in the adjoining lab.

Duration: 20–30 minutes | Anaesthesia: Sedation / light general anaesthesia | Eggs collected: Typically 8–15, depending on age and ovarian reserve

After Egg Retrieval: Recovery

• You’ll rest in a recovery area for 1–2 hours while the sedation wears off.
• Mild cramping, bloating, or light spotting for a day or two is normal and usually eased with rest and simple pain relief.
• You will need someone to drive you home, as you should not drive after sedation.
• Most women return to normal light activity the next day.
• Contact the clinic promptly if you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, fever, or significant abdominal swelling — these can be early signs of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which is uncommon but important to catch early.

Part 2: In the Lab — Fertilisation & Embryo Culture

The days between egg retrieval and embryo transfer are when the science happens in our embryology laboratory:

• Fertilisation (Day 0): On the day of retrieval, your eggs are combined with sperm. This can be through conventional IVF (eggs and sperm placed together) or ICSI, where a single healthy sperm is injected directly into each mature egg.
• Embryo development (Days 1–3): Fertilised eggs begin to divide into multi-cell embryos. The embryologist monitors their growth and quality each day.
• Blastocyst stage (Days 5–6): Many embryos are grown to the blastocyst stage, a more advanced embryo that can improve implantation rates and selection.
• Optional add-ons: Depending on your plan, assisted laser hatching or genetic testing (PGT/PGS) may be performed to support a healthy pregnancy.

Your care team will keep you updated on how many eggs fertilised and how your embryos are developing, so you know what to expect on transfer day.

Part 3: Embryo Transfer

Embryo transfer is the final and most anticipated step — placing a healthy embryo into the uterus, where it can implant and grow into a pregnancy. Unlike egg retrieval, this is a simple, non-surgical procedure that usually needs no anaesthesia.

Fresh vs Frozen Embryo Transfer

There are two timing options, and your specialist will recommend the best one for you:

Factor	Fresh Embryo Transfer	Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)
Timing	3–5 days after egg retrieval, same cycle	A later cycle, after embryos are frozen and thawed
Body recovery	Uterus still affected by stimulation hormones	Allows the body and uterine lining to fully recover
Best for	Good responders with an ideal uterine lining	Genetic testing, OHSS risk, or optimising the lining
Genetic testing (PGT)	Not possible in the same cycle	Required — embryos are frozen while results are awaited

During Embryo Transfer: Step by Step

• Step 1 — Full bladder: You’ll often be asked to arrive with a comfortably full bladder, which helps give a clearer ultrasound image of the uterus.
• Step 2 — Speculum: A speculum is gently inserted, just as in a routine cervical exam.
• Step 3 — Catheter placement: A soft, thin catheter loaded with your embryo is passed through the cervix into the uterus, guided by abdominal ultrasound.
• Step 4 — Embryo release: The embryo is gently released into the ideal position within the uterine lining. The embryologist then checks the catheter under a microscope to confirm the embryo has been transferred.

Duration: 5–10 minutes | Anaesthesia: None required | Discomfort: Minimal, similar to a Pap smear

After Embryo Transfer: The Two-Week Wait

The period between embryo transfer and your pregnancy test is known as the two-week wait — emotionally the hardest part for many patients. Here’s what to do:

• No strict bed rest needed: You can resume normal, light daily activities the same day. Studies show prolonged bed rest does not improve success.
• Take your medications: Continue prescribed progesterone support exactly as directed to help the uterine lining support implantation.
• Be gentle with your body: Avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, very hot baths, alcohol, and smoking.
• Eat well and stay hydrated: A balanced, nutritious diet supports your body during this phase.
• The pregnancy test: A blood test (beta hCG) is done about 9–14 days after transfer. Avoid early home tests, as fertility medications can cause misleading results.

Egg Retrieval vs Embryo Transfer: Quick Comparison

Factor	Egg Retrieval	Embryo Transfer
Purpose	Collect mature eggs from the ovaries	Place an embryo into the uterus
Anaesthesia	Sedation / light general anaesthesia	None required
Duration	20–30 minutes	5–10 minutes
Recovery	1–2 hours rest; mild cramping for 1–2 days	Resume light activity the same day
Comfort level	Painless during (asleep)	Generally painless

Tips to Prepare for a Smooth Experience

• Follow timing instructions precisely — especially the trigger shot before egg retrieval.
• Arrange a companion to accompany you and drive you home after retrieval.
• Ask questions in advance — understanding each step reduces anxiety on the day.
• Manage stress with rest, gentle walks, breathing exercises, or counselling support during the two-week wait.
• Lean on your care team — no question is too small, and our staff are here to support you throughout.

Egg Retrieval & Embryo Transfer at Myra IVF Centre, Kenya

At Myra IVF Centre, every egg retrieval and embryo transfer is carried out with precision, care, and compassion. Our approach includes:

• Personalised stimulation protocols — including minimal stimulation IVF options for suitable patients.
• Ultrasound-guided, sedation-supported retrievals performed by experienced specialists.
• State-of-the-art, ISO 9001 certified embryology laboratory for fertilisation, culture, and embryo freezing.
• Advanced techniques — ICSI, blastocyst culture, assisted laser hatching, and genetic testing as needed.
• Dedicated patient support through every stage, including the two-week wait.
• Three convenient locations — Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu.

With over 15 years of experience and a 79% overall IVF success rate, Myra IVF Centre has helped thousands of couples across Kenya and East Africa build their families.

Conclusion

Egg retrieval and embryo transfer may sound intimidating, but they are safe, refined procedures performed thousands of times every year. Egg retrieval is a short, sedated procedure to collect your eggs, and embryo transfer is a quick, painless step that places a carefully selected embryo into your uterus. Knowing what to expect at each stage is one of the best ways to feel calm and in control of your IVF journey.

If you’re preparing for IVF or simply want to understand your options, speak with our fertility specialists at Myra IVF Centre — we’ll guide you through every step with clarity and care.

Book a consultation today. Contact us at +254 786656236 or drsarita2007@gmail.com.