IVF Step-by-step cycle

An IVF ‘cycle’ is how we describe one round of IVF treatment starting with the second day of your period.

As part of your fertility plan, you may start medication or injections before the first day of the cycle.

• IVF Step-by-step cycle

Step 1: Day 2 of your period

The first official day of your IVF treatment cycle is day 2 of your period.

Step 2: Stimulating your ovaries

The stimulation phase starts from day 2. In a natural monthly cycle, your ovaries normally produce 1 egg. You’ll take medication for 8-14 days to encourage the follicles in your ovaries to produce more eggs.

Your specialist prescribes medication specific to your body and treatment plan. It’s usually in the form of injections.

The trigger injection gets the eggs ready for ovulation – The fertility expert will do the Sonography and Blood test as and when required. When the growth of follicles is appropriate, the trigger injection gets the eggs ready for ovulation.Your fertility specialist will schedule the egg retrieval before you ovulate.

Step 3: Egg retrieval

Egg retrieval, or egg ‘pick up’, is a day care procedure where the eggs are collected from your ovaries. An anaesthetist will get you ready for a general anaesthesia. You’ll be asleep and the procedure takes about 20-30 minutes.

Before egg retrivals, your fertility expert has a fair idea about number of eggs from your ultrasound which can be retrived.

Recovery takes about 30 minutes and you’ll be able to walk out on your own. It’s a good idea to have a support person with you as you won’t be able to drive after the procedure.

Step 4: The sperm

Fresh semen sample will be taken before egg retrival procedure.

The sperm is graded using 4 different levels of quality.It’s washed in a special media and the best sperms are selected.

Step 5: Fertilisation

Your fertility specialist gives our embryologists the eggs they have retrieved, still in the fluid from the follicles of the ovaries. The embryologists use powerful microscopes to find the eggs in the fluid so they can be removed.

It’s important the eggs are fertilised quickly. The eggs and some sperm are placed in a dish. They have the chance to find each other and fertilise like they would naturally within your body.

Step 6: Embryo development

If the sperm fertilises the egg, it becomes an embryo. Our embryologists put the embryo into a special incubator where the conditions for growth and development are perfect.

We create the perfect growing conditions, just like your body would use to nurture the embryo.

Our embryologists keep an eye on the embryos over 5-6 days.

Unfortunately, not all eggs will fertilise and reach embryo stage. The eggs might not be mature or the sperm not be strong enough. We know you’ll be waiting on news, so we’ll keep you up to date with the progress of your egg, sperm and embryo development.

Step 7: Embryo transfer

If your embryo develops in the lab, you’re ready for it to be transferred into your uterus.

Your fertility experts will contact you to explain what you will need to do to prepare.

The embryo transfer is a very simple process, like a pap smear. It takes about 5 minutes, you’ll be awake, there’s no anaesthesia required, and you can get up straight away. You can continue with your day to day activities.