Medical illustration for What to expect during each stage of IVF? — Bavishi Fertility Institute
IVF

What to expect during each stage of IVF?

Infertility can be a challenging journey for many couples dreaming of starting a family. Fortunately, advancements in medical science have made it possible…

Dr. Parth BavishiDr. Parth Bavishi· Co-director & IVF SpecialistMay 17, 2024Updated Apr 19, 20264 min read

Medical Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any health-related decisions.

Medical illustration for What to expect during each stage of IVF? — Bavishi Fertility Institute
IVF

What to expect during each stage of IVF?

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National Fertility Award winner

10-15

Average eggs retrieved per cycle

Class 1000

IVF lab clean-room standard

0+

Years of IVF expertise since 1986

EXPECT EACH STAGE IVF

Gold standard of assisted reproduction

Avg. success rate

55-65% (under 35)

Cycle duration

2-3 weeks

Lab standard

Class 1000 clean-room

Best suited for: Couples with blocked fallopian tubes, severe male factor infertility, advanced maternal age, failed IUI cycles, or unexplained infertility lasting more than 2 years.

Infertility can be a challenging journey for many couples dreaming of starting a family. Fortunately, advancements in medical science have made it possible for couples to achieve their dream of parenthood through assisted reproductive technologies like In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). IVF is a complex process that involves several stages, each crucial for its success. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take you through each stage of the IVF process, providing valuable insights and timelines to help you navigate this journey with confidence.

Stage 1: Ovarian stimulation

What to Expect: 6 Stages of IVF

The journey towards IVF typically begins with ovarian stimulation. This stage involves the administration of medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. Your fertility specialist will customize the medication protocol based on your individual needs and response to treatment. Throughout this stage, you’ll undergo regular monitoring through ultrasounds and blood tests to assess the ovarian response and adjust medication dosages as necessary.

Ovarian stimulation usually lasts around 10-14 days, starting from the second or third day of your menstrual cycle.

Stage 2: Egg retrieval

Once the ovarian follicles have matured, the next step is egg retrieval. This minor surgical procedure is performed under sedation or anesthesia to ensure your comfort. Using ultrasound guidance, your fertility specialist will retrieve the mature eggs from the ovaries using a thin needle.

After the procedure, you’ll rest briefly in the recovery area before returning home to rest. It’s normal to experience some mild discomfort or bloating following egg retrieval, but this typically resolves within a few days. Egg retrieval is usually scheduled around 36 hours after triggering ovulation.

Stage 3: Sperm collection/retrieval

While the eggs are being retrieved, the male partner will provide a sperm sample for fertilization. In cases where there are issues with sperm production or quality, sperm retrieval techniques such as Testicular Sperm Aspiration (TESA), Microsurgical Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (MESA), or Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE) may be performed. These procedures allow for the retrieval of sperm directly from the testes or epididymis for use in fertilization. Sperm collection or retrieval is typically scheduled around the same time as egg retrieval.

Stage 4: Fertilization & Embryo development

Once the eggs and sperm are collected, the process of fertilization begins. In traditional IVF, the eggs and sperm are combined in a laboratory dish, allowing fertilization to occur naturally. In cases where there are issues with sperm quality or fertilization, Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) may be used, where a single sperm is injected directly into the egg to facilitate fertilization.

After fertilization, the embryos are cultured in the laboratory for 3-5 days, during which they undergo cell division and development. Embryo development is closely monitored, and embryos are graded based on their quality and developmental stage.

Stage 5: Embryo transfer

The final stage of the IVF process is embryo transfer. This involves the placement of one or more embryos into the uterus, where they will hopefully implant and develop into a pregnancy. Embryo transfer is a relatively simple procedure that does not require anesthesia. Your fertility specialist will use ultrasound guidance to transfer the embryos into the uterus via a thin tube (catheter).

After the transfer, you’ll rest for a short period before returning home to begin the two-week wait for pregnancy testing. Embryo transfer is typically scheduled 3-5 days after egg retrieval, depending on embryo development.

Stage 6: Pregnancy test

Approximately two weeks after the embryo transfer, a blood test is conducted to determine if the IVF procedure was successful and the woman is pregnant. This test measures the levels of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in the blood, which is a hormone produced during pregnancy.

Conclusion

Embarking on the IVF journey can be both daunting and hopeful. Understanding each stage of the process and knowing what to expect can help alleviate some of the uncertainty and anxiety that comes with fertility treatment. Remember, every individual’s journey is unique, and it’s essential to work closely with your fertility specialist to develop a personalized treatment plan that meets your needs. While IVF is not always successful on the first attempt, perseverance, patience, and support can help you navigate this journey towards building the family you’ve always dreamed of.

Ready to take the next step towards parenthood? Our team at Bavishi Fertility Institute, a leading IVF Centre in Ahmedabad, is here to support you every step of the way. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and begin your personalized IVF journey. Let’s work together to turn your dreams of starting a family into reality.

StageWhat HappensDuration
StimulationGrow multiple eggs8-12 days
TriggerMature the eggs1 injection
RetrievalCollect eggs~20 min procedure
FertilisationEggs meet spermLab, 3-5 days
TransferEmbryo into uterusQuick, painless

Key Takeaways

Stage 1: Ovarian stimulation

Stage 2: Egg retrieval

Stage 3: Sperm collection/retrieval

Stage 4: Fertilization & Embryo development

Stage 5: Embryo transfer

For personalised advice tailored to your test results and diagnosis, book a consultation with our specialists at Bavishi Fertility Institute.

Have Questions About expect each stage IVF?

Book a free consultation with our fertility specialists at Bavishi Fertility Institute — 14 centres across India.

About the Author

Dr. Parth Bavishi

Dr. Parth Bavishi

MBBS, MD (Obstetrics & Gynaecology)

Co-director & IVF Specialist

Dr. Parth Bavishi holds an MD in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and brings over 12 years of specialist experience as Co-director and IVF Specialist at Bavishi Fertility Institute — a group of fertility centres across India committed to helping couples realise their dream of parenthood.

His clinical focus is on complex and challenging cases: male-factor infertility, poor sperm quality, high sperm DNA fragmentation, and repeated IVF failure. He has received specialised infertility training at three internationally recognised institutions — Bavishi Fertility Institute, the Diamond Institute (USA), and the HART Institute (Japan) — giving him a uniquely broad perspective on the latest global advances in reproductive medicine.

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