You can significantly reduce your risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) through proven prevention strategies, proper hydration and working with experienced fertility clinics that use modern protocols.
With these precautions, most patients undergo egg retrieval safely without serious complications.
American Surrogacy can help you find fertility specialists who prioritize OHSS prevention while maintaining excellent success rates for your family-building journey. Contact us today.
Understanding OHSS prevention empowers you to make informed decisions, recognize early warning signs and work effectively with your medical team throughout the egg retrieval process.
What is OHSS and Why It Matters for Your Surrogacy Journey
OHSS occurs when the ovaries become overstimulated by fertility medications, causing them to swell and leak fluid into the abdomen and sometimes the chest cavity.
This condition can range from mild discomfort to serious medical complications requiring hospitalization.
When you’re working with fertility medications to stimulate egg production, your ovaries can sometimes respond too enthusiastically, leading to swelling, fluid retention and other concerning symptoms.
The good news is that modern fertility medicine has developed highly effective strategies to minimize this risk while maintaining excellent success rates.W
Learn more about the medications involved in ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval preparation.
OHSS Risk Factors You Should Know About
Understanding your personal risk factors helps you and your medical team creates the most effective prevention strategy.
- Higher risk factors include:
- Women under 35 years old
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) diagnosis
- High estradiol levels during stimulation
- Large numbers of developing follicles (typically over 20)
- Previous history of OHSS
- Lean body mass or low BMI
The emotional impact: Beyond physical symptoms, OHSS can create anxiety and stress during an already emotionally challenging process. Understanding prevention strategies helps you feel more confident and in control of your journey.
Medical Prevention Strategies Your Doctor May Use
Your fertility specialist has multiple tools to prevent OHSS while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
- Medication protocol adjustments: Your doctor may use lower doses of stimulation medications, switch to different drug combinations, or use GnRH antagonist protocols that reduce OHSS risk compared to traditional approaches.
- Trigger shot modifications: Instead of using hCG to trigger final egg maturation, many clinics now use GnRH agonist triggers, which significantly reduce OHSS risk while maintaining good egg quality.
- Coasting technique: If estradiol levels become too high, your doctor may temporarily stop stimulation medications while continuing monitoring, allowing hormone levels to decrease before proceeding with egg retrieval.
How much water should I drink after egg retrieval to prevent OHSS?
Proper hydration plays a vital role in preventing OHSS after egg retrieval and is something you can actively control.
Optimal hydration guidelines:
- Drink 2-3 liters (8-12 cups) of fluid daily following your procedure
- Start increasing fluid intake immediately after egg retrieval
- Focus on water, but electrolyte drinks can also be beneficial
- Monitor your urine color – it should be light yellow
- Continue increased hydration for at least one week post-retrieval
Adequate fluid intake helps your kidneys process fertility medications more efficiently and reduces the concentration of hormones that can trigger OHSS.
Proper hydration also helps maintain healthy blood pressure and reduces the risk of blood clots.
Activities and Foods to Avoid After Egg Retrieval
Certain activities and substances can increase your OHSS risk or worsen existing symptoms.
Activities to avoid for one week:
- Intense exercise or heavy lifting
- Sexual intercourse until cleared by your doctor
- Hot baths, saunas, or hot tubs that cause dehydration
- Long periods of immobility that increase blood clot risk
Dietary modifications:
- Limit sodium intake, which can worsen fluid retention
- Avoid alcohol, which interferes with recovery and hydration
- Reduce caffeine consumption to prevent dehydration
- Skip gas-producing foods that worsen abdominal discomfort
Medications requiring medical approval:
- NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) may affect kidney function
- Any new medications should be approved by your fertility team
Learn more about what you can expect during your egg retrieval recovery.
Recognizing OHSS Symptoms: When to Contact Your Clinic
Early recognition of OHSS symptoms allows for prompt treatment and can prevent progression to severe complications.
Mild OHSS symptoms:
- Abdominal bloating and discomfort
- Mild nausea
- Weight gain of 2-5 pounds
- Mild pelvic or abdominal pain
- Moderate OHSS symptoms:
- Increased abdominal pain and bloating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weight gain of 5-10 pounds over 3-5 days
- Difficulty eating normal amounts
Severe OHSS – seek immediate medical attention:
- Severe abdominal pain and significant bloating
- Persistent nausea and vomiting preventing fluid intake
- Weight gain of more than 10 pounds
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Decreased urination despite adequate fluid intake
- Dizziness, fainting, chest pain, or rapid heartbeat
Understanding OHSS Timing and Triggers
Knowing when OHSS is most likely to occur helps you stay vigilant during critical periods.
Early OHSS (3-7 days post-retrieval): Related to stimulation medications and fertility drugs still circulating in your system. This type responds well to supportive care and hydration.
Late OHSS (10-14 days post-retrieval): Usually triggered by pregnancy hormones if conception occurs. This is why freeze-all cycles are often recommended for high-risk patients.
The role of pregnancy: If pregnancy occurs after egg retrieval, the resulting hCG production can worsen existing OHSS or trigger late-onset symptoms. Your clinic will monitor you closely if fresh embryo transfer is planned.
How OHSS Could Affect Your Surrogacy Timeline
While OHSS prevention strategies are highly effective, understanding potential impacts helps you plan realistically.
Most cycles proceed normally: The vast majority of egg retrieval cycles proceed without significant OHSS, especially when working with experienced clinics that use modern prevention protocols.
Potential timeline adjustments:
- Prevention strategies like coasting may add 2-3 days to stimulation
- Freeze-all approaches typically delay embryo transfer by 1-2 months
- Recovery from mild OHSS usually takes one week
- Moderate cases may require 2-3 weeks of careful monitoring
Future cycle planning: If OHSS occurs, your clinic will adjust protocols for future attempts to minimize recurrence risk while maintaining effectiveness. This experience helps create an even safer approach for subsequent cycles.
Learn more about what to expect after egg retrieval and how proper planning supports your journey.
How American Surrogacy Can Help You Find the Right Fertility Clinic
Even with excellent prevention strategies, having comprehensive support systems ensures everyone receives appropriate care if complications arise.
- Clinic selection guidance: American Surrogacy helps you identify fertility clinics with strong OHSS prevention protocols and low complication rates in your area.
- Coordination assistance: We help facilitate clear communication between you, your fertility clinic, and any
- Journey continuity: Even if OHSS causes temporary delays, our support systems help maintain momentum toward parenthood once recovery is complete.
Choosing the Right Fertility Clinic for OHSS Prevention
Not all fertility clinics have equal expertise in OHSS prevention.
Questions to ask potential clinics:
- What is your OHSS rate compared to national averages?
- How do you modify protocols for high-risk patients?
- What trigger options do you offer beyond traditional hCG?
- How quickly can you adjust medications based on monitoring results?
- What after-hours support do you provide for complications?
Moving Forward Safely with Confidence
Understanding OHSS prevention empowers you to work with experienced professionals who prioritize safety while maintaining excellent success rates.
American Surrogacy helps you find experienced fertility clinics that prioritize safety, and once your embryos are ready, we can match you quickly with a qualified surrogate.
Start building your family with the right medical team and surrogate support – reach out today.