How to prevent ascites after egg retrieval?

If a couple does not have a baby after marriage, their life would be rather monotonous, but not every couple can get pregnant and have a baby normally. After all, there are still some diseases in this world that can cause couples to lose their fertility. Take women for example, fallopian tube blockage is relatively common. However, for such situations, in vitro fertilization can still be used. So, how to prevent ascites after egg retrieval?

Why does ascites occur after egg retrieval?

The scientific name for ascites after IVF egg retrieval is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which is one of the main complications of in vitro fertilization.

This is an overreaction of the human body to ovulation-inducing drugs, characterized by the development of multiple follicles in both ovaries, ovarian enlargement, abnormal capillary permeability, and extravasation of abnormal body fluids and proteins into the third space of the human body, causing a series of clinical symptoms and complications. It often occurs in patients with polycystic ovary and young (age <35 years old) and thin people.

Clinically, most OHSS patients are mild to moderate. For this type of patients, self-monitoring is the main focus, so the corresponding self-care knowledge needs to be strengthened. Dietary care, as an important part of clinical care, also plays an important role in preventing the occurrence of ovarian hyperstimulation. Therefore, it should be given sufficient attention and an appropriate diet plan should be chosen.

What to do if ascites occurs?

Don’t panic if you encounter ascites. Contact your doctor immediately for consultation and take different measures according to the situation. We need to remind everyone that after developing ascites, do not panic too much. The correct choice is to contact your doctor for consultation as soon as possible. After the egg retrieval surgery, patients with ascites should first observe daily weight changes and physical conditions. Generally, minor ascites will subside on its own, and patients can handle it at home according to the doctor's advice. If you encounter severe ascites, be sure to contact a doctor and go to the hospital for treatment. At present, for severe ascites, hospitals generally need to perform abdominal puncture on patients, aspirate ascites, and alleviate patients' symptoms. Abdominal puncture requires strict aseptic operation, so it is best performed under B-ultrasound monitoring. The rate of aspirating ascites should not exceed 1000 ml per hour, and the total amount should not exceed 3000 ml. It can usually be repeated every 5 to 7 days. In addition to suctioning ascites, the hospital also encourages patients to maintain a low-salt, high-protein diet, and more closely monitor the patient's daily intake and output, weight, waist circumference, liver and kidney function, hematocrit, coagulation function, etc., and provide symptomatic treatment based on the test results.