| IVF STAGE | WHAT TO EXPECT | DURATION | PURPOSE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Consultation | Medical history review, physical exam, blood tests, semen analysis | 1-2 visits | Develop personalized treatment plan |
| Ovarian Stimulation | Injectable fertility medications, regular monitoring | 10-14 days | Produce multiple mature eggs |
| Egg Retrieval | Sedated procedure to collect eggs | 20-30 minutes | Collect mature eggs for fertilization |
| Sperm Collection | Sperm sample collection and fertilization in the lab | Same day as retrieval | Create viable embryos |
| Embryo Culture | Monitoring and selecting best-quality embryos | 3-5 days | Optimal embryo development |
| Embryo Transfer | Transfer of embryos into the uterus | 10-15 minutes | Place embryos for implantation |
| Luteal Phase Support | Progesterone supplements, monitoring hormone levels | Until pregnancy test | Support early pregnancy |
| Pregnancy Test | Blood test to measure hCG levels | 10-14 days post-transfer | Confirm pregnancy |
| Follow-Up and Monitoring | Additional tests and ultrasounds, transition to OB/GYN | Early pregnancy | Ensure health and development of the pregnancy |
1. Initial Consultation and Assessment
What to Expect:- Medical History Review: Your fertility specialist will review your medical history, previous fertility treatments, and any relevant health conditions.
- Physical Examination: A thorough physical examination, including an ultrasound, to assess your reproductive organs.
- Blood Tests: Hormone level testing, ovarian reserve assessment, and infectious disease screening.
- Semen Analysis: For male partners, a semen analysis to evaluate sperm count, motility, and morphology.
- To determine the underlying cause of infertility and develop a personalized treatment plan.
2. Ovarian Stimulation
What to Expect:- Fertility Medications: You will be prescribed injectable fertility medications to stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple eggs.
- Monitoring: Regular blood tests and ultrasounds to monitor your hormone levels and the development of follicles (egg sacs).
- Typically lasts 10-14 days.
- To produce multiple mature eggs for retrieval.
3. Egg Retrieval
What to Expect:- Procedure: Performed under sedation, a needle is used to retrieve eggs from the ovaries through the vaginal wall.
- Post-Procedure: Mild cramping and spotting are common. Recovery is usually quick, and you can resume normal activities the next day.
- The procedure itself takes about 20-30 minutes.
- To collect mature eggs for fertilization.
4. Sperm Collection and Fertilization
What to Expect:- Sperm Collection: On the same day as egg retrieval, a sperm sample is collected from the male partner or a sperm donor.
- Fertilization: Eggs are combined with sperm in the lab to create embryos. This can be done via conventional insemination or Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg.
- Fertilization occurs within a few hours of egg retrieval.
- To create viable embryos for transfer.
5. Embryo Culture
What to Expect:- Monitoring: Embryos are cultured in the lab for 3-5 days. Embryologists monitor their development and select the best-quality embryos for transfer.
- Updates: You will receive updates on the progress of your embryos.
- Typically 3-5 days.
- To allow embryos to reach an optimal stage for transfer or freezing.
6. Embryo Transfer
What to Expect:- Procedure: A catheter is used to transfer one or more embryos into the uterus. This is a simple, painless procedure that does not require anesthesia.
- Post-Procedure: You may be advised to rest for a short period, but you can generally resume normal activities soon after.
- The procedure takes about 10-15 minutes.
- To place embryos into the uterus where they can implant and develop into a pregnancy.
7. Luteal Phase Support
What to Expect:- Medications: Progesterone supplements are often prescribed to support the uterine lining and promote embryo implantation.
- Monitoring: Blood tests to monitor hormone levels and ensure the best environment for implantation.
- Until the pregnancy test.
- To support early pregnancy and enhance the chances of successful implantation.
8. Pregnancy Test
What to Expect:- Blood Test: Approximately 10-14 days after the embryo transfer, a blood test will measure the level of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) to confirm pregnancy.
- Results: You will receive the results within a few hours to a day.
- To determine if the IVF cycle has resulted in pregnancy.
9. Follow-Up and Early Pregnancy Monitoring
What to Expect:- Additional Tests: If the pregnancy test is positive, you will have follow-up blood tests and ultrasounds to monitor the pregnancy's progress.
- Transition to OB/GYN: Once the pregnancy is stable, you will transition to your regular OB/GYN for ongoing prenatal care.
- To ensure the health and development of the pregnancy.