Yes, you will almost certainly receive some form of sedation for egg retrieval. In the United States, about 95% of fertility programs use intravenous sedation, which puts you into a sleep-like state where you’re unaware of the procedure and don’t feel pain. It’s not quite the same as full general anesthesia with a breathing tube, but from your perspective, the experience is similar: you fall asleep, and the next thing you know, you’re waking up in recovery.
What Type of Sedation Is Used
The most common approach is called monitored sedation, sometimes referred to as “twilight” sedation. Propofol, the same drug used for colonoscopies, is the standard choice because it works fast and wears off fast. You’ll get it through an IV line, typically along with a pain medication to keep you comfortable. An anesthesiologist monitors your breathing, heart rate, and oxygen levels throughout the procedure.
In most cases, your airway is maintained with just an oxygen mask. A breathing tube is rarely needed. This makes the sedation lighter and the recovery quicker compared to full general anesthesia, where a tube is placed in your throat. That said, you won’t be aware of what’s happening or remember the procedure afterward.
Full general anesthesia is used at some clinics, particularly in the UK, where about 28% of centers take that approach. Regional anesthesia (a spinal block, similar to an epidural) is a third option but much less common. The choice often comes down to the clinic’s preference and your medical history. If you have strong feelings about it, ask your clinic which method they use during your pre-procedure consultation.
Can You Do It Without Sedation?
A small number of patients do undergo egg retrieval fully awake, with no sedation or pain medication at all. This is uncommon and typically chosen by people who have medical reasons that make anesthesia risky, or who strongly prefer to avoid sedation. In one study at a fertility center in Israel, only 2% of patients who chose to go without sedation regretted the decision. However, the procedure is genuinely painful for most people, involving a needle passing through the vaginal wall to reach each ovary, so going without any pain relief is not standard practice.
How to Prepare the Night Before
Because you’ll be receiving sedation, you need to fast beforehand. Standard anesthesia guidelines call for no solid food for at least 6 hours before the procedure, and no clear liquids for at least 2 hours before. If you eat heavy, fatty, or fried foods the night before, you may need to stop eating 8 or more hours ahead. Your clinic will give you specific instructions, but a light dinner the evening before and nothing after midnight is the typical rule of thumb.
You’ll also need a responsible adult (18 or older) to accompany you to the clinic, stay on-site during the procedure, and drive you home. You cannot drive yourself. If both you and your partner have procedures scheduled the same day, you’ll need a third person for transportation.
What the Procedure Feels Like
The retrieval itself is short, usually 15 to 30 minutes. Once you’re in the procedure room, the anesthesiologist will start your IV sedation. Most people are asleep within seconds. The doctor uses an ultrasound-guided needle inserted through the vaginal wall to drain fluid from each ovarian follicle, collecting the eggs. You won’t feel or remember any of this.
You’ll wake up in the operating room or a recovery area. Expect to feel groggy at first. Your nurse will monitor your oxygen levels, blood pressure, heart rate, and pain level. Once you’re alert, your doctor will tell you how many eggs were retrieved. Most patients are discharged 60 to 90 minutes after the procedure is finished.
Recovery and Side Effects
Nausea and vomiting are the most common side effects of sedation, and you’re at higher risk simply by being a younger woman, which is already the demographic undergoing egg retrieval. If you have a history of motion sickness or have gotten nauseous after anesthesia before, let your anesthesiologist know ahead of time so they can give you anti-nausea medication preventively.
Cramping and pelvic discomfort after the procedure are normal. The pain is generally mild to moderate, similar to period cramps. Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen are commonly offered in recovery. Some clinics use anti-inflammatory suppositories or stronger pain relief if needed. Most people find the discomfort manageable within the first day.
Dizziness and unsteadiness can linger for several hours after sedation wears off. Plan on spending the rest of the day resting at home, and have someone stay with you for at least the first 24 hours. You should not drive, operate machinery, or make important decisions for the remainder of that day.
Does Sedation Affect Your Eggs?
This is a common concern. Anesthetic agents do show up in the fluid surrounding your eggs, which has raised questions in the fertility field. However, research comparing sedation to general anesthesia has found that monitored sedation with propofol is actually associated with higher pregnancy rates than full general anesthesia. The differences are modest, and both approaches are considered safe for IVF outcomes. This is one of the reasons sedation has become the dominant approach worldwide.