Risks and Side Effects
Become a Surrogate

About Our Agency
Risks and Side Effects
Most cases involving egg donors are mild to moderate case that resolve themselves within a few days.
- Mild OHSS: Patient may complain of mild pain, bloated feeling, mild abdominal swelling, mild nausea, mild weight gain and diarrhea
- Moderate OHSS: Same symptoms as mild OHSS, but the swelling and bloating is worse. Abdominal pain and vomit. Fluid may collect in the abdominal cavity causing discomfort.
- Severe OHSS: Same symptoms as moderate OHSS, but the swelling and bloating is worse. Abdominal pain and vomiting. You may feel ill and may suffer from shortness of breath and a reduction in the amount of urine output. Severe OHSS is typically found in a IVF cycle with the intended mothers own eggs and the intended mother having a tranfer of the embyos to herself after she has gone through an egg retrieval. The worst cases seem to be associated with pregnancy.
If hyperstimulation is mild to moderate, you will typically be managed at home on bed rest. If diagnosed with hyperstimulation syndrome it is important to avoid strenuous activities, either work or sports related, as well as heavy housework. Intercourse should also be avoided during this time period. You will asked to drink water, Gatoraid/Poweraid, 12oz every hour or so. Also, recommended is to eat a high protein diet. Fortunately, this disease resolves in 7-10 days in most women after careful rest and adequate hydration. Severe hyperstimulation happens with large amounts of fluid retention and low urine output occur. This may require hospitalization sometimes. Severe OHSS is a rare occurence, but can happen despite careful monitoring.
Other Risks
- Surgical Risks, which are extremly rare, include injury to the bladder, bowel, or blood vessels.
- Infection occures even more rarely. You will be on antibiotics before the egg retrieval to prevent infection.
- Ovarian torsion occurs when the ovary becomes heavy and twists on its own stalk, cutting off blood supply. You will be asked to avoid stenuous activities and heavy lifting during your stimulation phase, in order to prevent that from happening. This is also a very rare occurence.
- Blood tests may cause mild discomfort. The risk if developing a bruise and/or infection at the needle site.
- Ovulation induction hormons may overstimulate the ovaries producing pain and growth of cysts. On occasion, these cycst may ruputure and bleed, requiring hospilization.