In vitro fertilization (IVF) is an effective fertility treatment available to individuals and couples who face challenges conceiving. The process combines medications, laboratory techniques, and medical monitoring to improve pregnancy chances. A single IVF cycle typically takes several weeks from the start of ovarian stimulation to pregnancy testing. Learn more about every stage of an IVF cycle.
Ovarian Stimulation and Egg Retrieval
IVF aims to produce multiple mature eggs in a single cycle, which increases the number of embryos available for transfer or freezing. Patients take injectable hormone medications, known as gonadotropins, for several days. These medications stimulate the ovaries to develop several follicles, the fluid-filled sacs that contain eggs.
Throughout this phase, the fertility team monitors progress closely to adjust medication doses and determine the ideal timing for retrieval. Monitoring appointments generally include:
- Transvaginal ultrasounds to measure the size and number of developing follicles
- Blood tests to track hormone levels, such as estradiol, which reflect follicle growth
- Medication adjustments based on how the ovaries respond to treatment
- A trigger injection once follicles reach the appropriate size, which completes egg maturation
Egg retrieval is scheduled shortly after the trigger injection, performed under sedation and via ultrasound. The physician passes a thin needle through the vaginal wall into each follicle, gently aspirating fluid and eggs. Patients can return home the same day and may experience mild cramping or bloating afterward.
Embryo Fertilization and Growth
Once the eggs are retrieved, an embryologist examines them in the laboratory and identifies mature eggs. On the same day, the eggs are fertilized using a few methods. In conventional insemination, the eggs are placed in a dish with a prepared sperm sample, allowing fertilization to occur naturally. In intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), the embryologist injects a single sperm directly into each mature egg.
Fertilized eggs, now called embryos, are cultured in a controlled environment that mimics conditions inside the body for development. Once they hit the blastocyst stage, some patients choose preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). This testing involves removing a small number of cells from each blastocyst to screen for chromosomal abnormalities or specific inherited conditions before transfer.
Embryo Transfer
Embryo transfer is the In Vitro Fertilization stage in which one or more embryos are placed into the uterus. This may occur during the same cycle as egg retrieval, known as a fresh transfer, or in a later cycle using previously frozen embryos, known as a frozen embryo transfer. The procedure is typically quick and comparable to a routine pelvic exam.
Anesthesia is generally not required for embryo transfer. Guided by abdominal ultrasound, the physician passes a thin, flexible catheter through the cervix and gently releases the embryo into the uterine cavity. A single embryo is typically transferred to reduce the risks associated with multiple pregnancies, such as preterm birth.
Pregnancy Testing
Several days after a successful embryo transfer, patients return to the clinic for a blood test that measures human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). A blood test can be more accurate than a home pregnancy test. If the result is positive, a follow-up blood test is often performed to confirm that hCG levels are rising appropriately.
An early ultrasound is then scheduled several weeks later to confirm the pregnancy and check for a fetal heartbeat. If the result is negative, the care team will review the cycle and discuss a potential frozen embryo transfer or treatment adjustments. In vitro fertilization may be attempted several times.
Consider In Vitro Fertilization
IVF offers hope to many individuals and couples facing infertility, including those with blocked fallopian tubes, ovulation disorders, male factor infertility, or unexplained infertility. While each stage requires time and commitment, knowing what to expect can make the process easier. A qualified fertility specialist can evaluate your medical history and develop a personalized treatment plan.
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