At 36 hours after the administration of hCG, eggs are harvested from the donor. This procedure is performed at The Institute s operating facility at the Atkins Kent Building, across the street from the Medical Center. Retrieval involves aspirating the fluid in the ovarian follicles with a special needle to obtain the eggs. The pain-free procedure, performed with the patient under intravenous anesthesia, is done in the Same Day Surgery Center by a physician using ultrasound visualization and does not require an incision. Egg donors can return home a few hours after the egg retrieval.
Safety regulations restrict the patient from operating machinery after sedation.
The donor should rest that day and avoid intercourse or aerobic activity. It is important that the donor have a companion for the first 24 hours after the retrieval. Although complications are unlikely, the most common time for serious complications to occur is during the 24 hours after retrieval. Aftercare for the Egg Donor To make sure that she recovers completely from the egg retrieval, each donor should follow a few simple guidelines. Check in with The Institute within 24 to 48 hours after egg donation.