IVF Procedure – IVF journey can feel overwhelming, but knowing what happens at each stage can help ease your mind. IVF (in-vitro fertilisation) is a fertility treatment where eggs and sperm are combined in a laboratory to help achieve pregnancy.
This guide gives you a simple breakdown of the IVF process step by step.
IVF may seem like a step-by-step checklist, but each stage is highly detailed. From preparing the entire reproductive system, to ovarian stimulation and finally to embryo replacement, every step is critical in improving the chances of success
Step 1 of the IVF procedure is the initial consultation. Your IVF journey begins with a consultation with a fertility specialist.
👉 This stage helps the fertility specialist tailor a treatment plan that suits you.
This involves financial counselling and explanation of the IVF process including possible side effects due to the hormone injections.
👉 The purpose is to help you plan your finances and set your expectations.
Normally, women ovulate just one egg per month. With IVF, you’ll take daily hormone injections for 8–12 days to produce multiple eggs.
The nurse will provide guidance on how to inject your medication.
👉 Think of this step as “encouraging your ovaries to grow more eggs.”
When your follicles grow to a good size, you’ll be given a “trigger injection” (usually hCG) to help your eggs mature.
Egg retrieval is a short procedure, done under sedation so you won’t feel pain.
Fresh semen sample will be collected from the husband on the same day. Alternatively, a frozen sperm sample stored before your IVF cycle may also be used.
👉 This is a day surgery procedure. You’ll be monitored in the recovery room for 1-2 hours after the procedure.
The collected eggs are combined with sperm in the IVF laboratory.
👉 Embryologists carefully monitor this process which typically can take 6 to 7 days.
You’ll be advised when to start medications in preparation for the Embryo Transfer. Typically, it will be from Day 3 of menses and continue for 16 days.
👉 Once your lining is ready, a date is fixed for the embryo transfer.
On the day of transfer, your chosen frozen embryo is carefully thawed in the laboratory by embryologists.
Embryo transfer is a simple, painless procedure.
👉 The procedure feels like a pap smear for most patients.
After transfer, you’ll take medications (such as progesterone) to support implantation.
About 10–14 days after embryo transfer, you’ll take a blood test to confirm pregnancy.
IVF is a journey of hope and courage. While not every cycle leads to pregnancy, each step brings you closer to your goal. Your fertility team will be with you at every stage, providing guidance and support.
💙 Remember: Every IVF journey is unique. Don’t hesitate to ask your fertility specialist questions and take care of yourself — physically and emotionally — along the way.