What happens after ovarian stimulation?

Medication encourages several follicles to mature while the clinic follows your response with ultrasound and sometimes blood tests. When follicles are ready, the team schedules a final maturation injection and gives precise instructions about its timing. Egg collection may then take place using a procedure arranged by the fertility clinic. If the cycle is for fertility preservation, suitable eggs can be prepared for freezing after collection.

Follow medication and appointment instructions exactly, including the time of the final injection. Mild bloating, pelvic heaviness or tenderness can occur as the ovaries enlarge. Wear comfortable clothing, avoid strenuous activity if advised and keep the clinic’s after-hours number nearby. Do not change medicines or miss monitoring without contacting the team.

Call your fertility clinic urgently for rapidly increasing abdominal swelling, severe pain, repeated vomiting, shortness of breath, faintness or much less urine than usual. These symptoms can signal ovarian hyperstimulation or another complication requiring assessment. Heavy bleeding or fever after egg collection also needs prompt medical advice.

Ask how your follicles are responding, when the final injection and collection are planned, how eggs will be handled, and which symptoms should trigger an after-hours call.