UW MEDICINE | PATIENT EDUCATION|| After Your Egg Retrieval Without an|| Embryo Transfer
Self-care at homeThis handout explains self-care after your egg retrieval when it does notinclude an embryo transfer. It includes what to do, what medicines totake, and when to call for help.

For 24 Hours• Rest at home for the rest ofthe day.
• Have someone with you tohelp care for you.
• You received an anesthetic
during your egg retrieval.
This medicine helped you
relax, but it may affect yourjudgment and ability tothink for a short while.
Because of this risk, during
the next 24 hours, do not:– Drive– Use machinery or tools– Drink alcohol– Be responsible for thecare of another person

Rest at home for the rest of the dayafter your egg retrieval.

– Make important decisions or sign any legal documents• You may resume your regular diet right away.
• You may shower as desired.

What to Expect• You may have light vaginal bleeding or spotting for 1 to 2 days after
your procedure. This is normal. You may use pads or panty liners. Donot use tampons.
• You may have some pelvic pain after the retrieval. If you do, you may
take 650 mg of acetaminophen (Tylenol and other brands). Keep_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Page 1 of 2 | After Your Egg Retrieval Without an Embryo Transfer

University Reproductive Care | Box 354692
4245 Roosevelt Way N.E., 4th floor, Seattle, WA 98105 | 206.598.4225

taking it every 4 to 6 hours as needed. If you need stronger pain relief,please call University Reproductive Care (URC).
• On the day after your retrieval, it is important to protect your ovaries:– Do not do any heavy exercise or high-impact activities such asrunning.
– You may walk or do other light activities that you usually do.
• For 2 weeks after your retrieval, do not have sexual intercourse.

Prescription Medicines
Doxycycline
Take your 1st dose of doxycycline in the evening on the day of yourretrieval. Take it 2 times a day for 5 days. Take this medicine with food.
Take all of the medicine as prescribed until the bottle is empty.

When to Call
Weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.: Call URC at 206.598.4225.
After hours and on weekends or holidays: Call 206.598.6190 and
ask for the URC provider on call to be paged.
• Call us if you have:– Heavy bleeding (soaking a full-sized sanitary pad with bright red
blood in less than 1 hour)– Severe pain that is not eased by pain medicine– Nausea or vomiting that will not go away

Questions?
Your questions are important.
Call your doctor or other
healthcare provider if you havequestions or concerns.
University Reproductive Care:
206.598.4225 weekdays
between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
After hours and on weekends
or holidays, call 206.598.6190
and ask for the URC provider
on call to be paged.

– Dizziness or lightheadedness• You do not need to check your temperature unless you feel ill. Call theURC if you feel ill and have a fever higher than 100.4 F (38.3°C).
• Call 911 right away if you have:– Chest pain
– Sudden, severe headache– Problems breathing or speaking– Weakness on one side of your bodyWebsite:http://depts.washington.edu/
obgyn/URC_____________________________________________________________________________________________© University of Washington Medical Center
Published PFES: 07/2016
Clinician Review: 07/2016
Reprints on Health Online: https://healthonline.washington.edu

Page 2 of 2 | After Your Egg Retrieval Without an Embryo Transfer

University Reproductive Care | Box 354692
4245 Roosevelt Way N.E., 4th floor, Seattle, WA 98105 | 206.598.4225