Slight weight gain during IVF treatment (5–10 pounds) is considered absolutely normal. Contrary to popular belief, an increase in body weight is most often caused by hormonal changes and water retention during ovarian stimulation (not IVF itself).
Weight gain can also occur with egg retrieval. However, this is usually a sign of water retention and ovarian hyperstimulation.
Maintain a healthy diet. Eating a healthy, balanced diet can help you manage your weight during IVF. Avoid processed foods and base your diet on whole, nutrient dense and ideally organic food.
It's not uncommon for women to gain a little weight during IVF treatments. Hormone injections can affect your weight and also your hunger levels (read # 4).
"Most women will quickly lose any extra fluid accumulated and will go back to their normal body weight within two weeks." That in itself, however, may also be short-lived if the egg retrieval and implantation are successful.
Ovarian stimulation causes the ovaries to get big
Depending on your size, this drastic change in the ovaries can be felt and even seen with a distended abdomen. Producing a greater number of eggs can cause physical effects like pelvic pressure, fullness and abdominal bloating.
Discomfort usually occurs as multiple follicles develop, causing the ovaries to enlarge. The cramping and bloating usually lasts for 7-10 days, after which your ovaries should return to their normal size. As always, listen to your body though.
Drink Plenty of Electrolytes
Although bloating is water retention, drinking more water with electrolytes helps flush it out. We advise egg donors to drink a ton of fluids throughout the entire egg donation process. Instead of drinking water by itself, add in some electrolyte mix like Nuun or Liquid IV's.
IVF can be mentally, physically and emotionally painful. In many cases, one of the biggest complaints is bloating and pain some women face during the ovarian stimulation process, where hormones are injected to produce multiple eggs for retrieval.
Keep the following in mind when dieting for IVF:
Avoid frozen or processed foods. Incorporate more whole grains into your diet (brown rice, whole-grain pasta, quinoa) Stick to lean meats like fish and chicken while avoiding red meat. Choose low-fat dairy products.
Exercising frequently for short periods is a great first step. Build up to longer exercise sessions to see greater results. Choose activities that raise your heart rate, such as jogging, swimming or fast biking.
Weight Gain: It is not uncommon to gain a small amount of weight (i.e., less than 5 pounds) throughout the egg freezing process. This is secondary to the hormones causing your ovaries to enlarge, and this should not be permanent weight but rather water weight.
Here are some common, mild symptoms you may experience after an egg retrieval: Bloating. Spotting. Feeling of fullness.
The major side effects of egg retrieval include constipation, bloating and cramping, breast tenderness, discharge, infection, and OHSS. Risks associated with anesthesia are usually very minimal. Constipation: One of the most common side effects women report after egg retrieval surgery is constipation.
Side Effects of the Egg Retrieval Procedure
After the egg retrieval procedure, the most common side effects are constipation, bloating, cramping, spotting, and pain. "You may have pain because egg retrieval is a surgery.
Your chances of having a healthy baby using IVF depend on many factors, such as your age and the cause of infertility. In addition, IVF can be time-consuming, expensive and invasive. If more than one embryo is transferred to the uterus, IVF can result in a pregnancy with more than one fetus (multiple pregnancy).
They deduce that more male than female embryos may be transferred because males have higher morphology scales and are thus deemed more suited for success.
Growing Embryos
This is the hardest step for a clinic to perform and, as you can see in the green circle above, this is where the most eggs and embryos are lost in the IVF process.
Bloating is a common post egg retrieval symptom, and it is a consequence of your ovaries being enlarged. Distention and a feeling of fullness after a less than normal sized meal are also commonly linked to bloating. If it is a case of mild OHSS, these symptoms should resolve on their own in around 1-2 weeks time.
Hygiene: Avoid tampons, vaginal douches, tub baths (showers are fine), and/or swimming for 7 days following your egg retrieval. Avoid hot tubs, hot baths, and saunas until you see your obstetrician. Sexual Relations: Sexual intercourse may be uncomfortable following your egg retrieval.
How long does it take for ovaries to shrink after egg retrieval? It takes on average ~2 weeks for your ovaries to shrink back to their normal size after ovarian stimulation. During this time, do not lift anything heavy, exercise vigorously, or have sexual intercourse.
Staying hydrated post-egg retrieval is one of the best ways to combat issues like bloating and fatigue. In addition to water, which should always be your first choice, you can drink other beverages that are high in electrolytes.
Focusing on including more sodium rich foods is often recommended post retrieval. A way to minimize the effects of OHSS involves consuming sodium rich foods for a few days post retrieval to help draw the extra fluid out of your ovaries.
The peak effect of your medications happens approximately 7-10 days after the procedure. After that time, the ovaries will slowly reduce in size and return to normal following your next menstrual cycle.