The decision to undergo IVF treatment often comes after a period of tests, attempts to conceive, and discussions. You may already be familiar with some of the medical terms, yet still wonder what going through the procedure itself will be like: will it hurt, will you be able to work, and when will you know the outcome?
There is room for all these questions in your conversations with your doctor. You do not need to remember every explanation at your very first appointment or know in advance what to ask. As you go through treatment, some things will become clearer, while others may require another discussion.
To help you prepare, we will walk you through how an IVF procedure unfolds and what you can expect, from the initial tests to the pregnancy test.
What Is an IVF Procedure, and How Much Time Should You Allow?
During an IVF procedure, eggs are fertilized in a laboratory. The embryologist monitors the resulting embryos, and a suitable embryo can be transferred into the uterus. The next step is implantation: the embryo attaches to the uterine lining and begins developing within it.
You probably also want to know when all of this will happen so you can plan around your work and personal commitments. A single treatment cycle can take approximately three to six weeks, depending on the protocol. Preliminary tests require additional time, and if the embryos are frozen, the transfer is scheduled for a later cycle.
You can discuss a tentative timeline from the very beginning. Some dates will be confirmed after your appointments, once your doctor has assessed how your ovaries are responding to treatment.
How Does the IVF Procedure Work Step by Step?
Knowing what to expect at each stage of the IVF procedure can help you feel more at ease as you prepare for your appointments, tests, and treatment. Our first meeting is an opportunity for us to listen to you, discuss your questions, and work together to outline a treatment plan suited to your needs.
1. We Start with Your History and Preparation for Treatment
During your first consultation, we will discuss your previous attempts to conceive, your general health, and any treatment you have undergone. If you have test results or hospital discharge summaries, bring them with you. Even if they are from some time ago, they can help us better understand your medical history and determine what is needed now.
Preparation includes an assessment of the uterus, ovaries, and your partner's semen parameters. Ovarian reserve testing helps predict how the ovaries may respond to stimulation. These tests include anti-Müllerian hormone, known as AMH, and an ultrasound count of small follicles. An individual test result cannot predict whether pregnancy will occur; it is considered alongside the rest of your medical information.
At Adella Clinic, we discuss the available options based on your diagnosis, age, test results, and previous attempts. Before starting treatment, you should understand why we recommend a particular approach. If anything concerns you, including the injections or scheduling your appointments, please tell us. These questions are part of your preparation for treatment.
2. Stimulation and the First Days of Medication
Giving yourself injections at home may feel unfamiliar. Before your first dose, it is helpful to see how the medication is prepared and administered and to clarify how it should be stored. You can ask for another demonstration. A written schedule and phone reminders can help you follow the prescribed times without relying on your memory alone.
The medications encourage the development of more follicles: small structures in the ovaries that contain the eggs. Daily injections usually continue for about one to two weeks. During this time, you will attend ultrasound appointments, and hormone levels may also be tested if necessary.
Depending on the results, your doctor may adjust the dose or duration of treatment. This allows the protocol to be tailored to your response. You may experience bloating, a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen, or tenderness around the injection site. Let us know how you are feeling, especially if your symptoms become more pronounced.
Finally, medication is prescribed to trigger the final maturation of the eggs. Timing is particularly important at this stage because egg retrieval is scheduled accordingly. If anything is unclear, contact the team before administering the medication.
3. What to Expect on the Day of Egg Retrieval
It is entirely reasonable to ask whether egg retrieval is painful. The procedure is performed with pain relief or anesthesia, depending on your medical plan. You will receive instructions beforehand on how to prepare, including when to stop eating and drinking and what to do about any medications you are taking.
Egg retrieval is usually scheduled around 36 hours after the medication that triggers final egg maturation. Under ultrasound guidance, the doctor inserts a thin needle through the vaginal wall and retrieves fluid from the follicles. The embryologist examines this fluid to identify the eggs.
After the procedure, you will remain under observation until you have recovered. You may experience mild cramping and light spotting. Plan to rest that day, and if you have received sedation or anesthesia, arrange for someone to accompany you home and follow the instructions regarding driving.
If a fresh semen sample from your partner is being used, it is usually provided on the day of egg retrieval. This will be arranged in advance. You will also receive information about the eggs retrieved, although the number of mature eggs may differ from the number of follicles seen on ultrasound.
4. What Happens While the Embryos Are in the Laboratory
After egg retrieval, there are several days when much of the work takes place in the laboratory while you wait for news. Ask in advance when and how you will receive updates. This way, you will know when results are available for the team to discuss with you.
Fertilization can take place through conventional IVF, in which eggs are placed together with sperm in a laboratory environment, or through ICSI. With the second method, the embryologist injects a single sperm into a mature egg. The choice depends on medical indications, including semen parameters and previous results.
Fertilization is usually checked the following day, after which embryo development is monitored. Some embryos reach the blastocyst stage around the fifth or sixth day. At this stage, the embryo has a formed cavity and distinguishable groups of cells.
Not every egg is fertilized, and not every embryo continues to develop. A decrease in their number may cause you concern. The development and quality of the remaining embryos are important for the next step; the team will explain the available options for transfer or freezing. Genetic testing of embryos is discussed in certain cases; it is not a mandatory step and does not guarantee pregnancy.
5. Embryo Transfer and the Possibility of Postponement
During embryo transfer, the selected embryo is placed into the uterine cavity using a thin catheter passed through the cervix. The procedure usually takes a few minutes and is performed without anesthesia. You may experience mild discomfort similar to the sensation of a gynecological examination.
The transfer may take place during the same cycle or after the embryos have been frozen and the uterine lining prepared in a later cycle. For example, if there is a risk of ovarian hyperstimulation, postponing the transfer may be part of the measures taken to ensure your safety.
If you have been preparing for a specific date, such a change may be disappointing. It is worth discussing in detail why it is necessary and what will happen next. If suitable frozen embryos are available, the next transfer may take place without another round of stimulation and egg retrieval.
You will also discuss the number of embryos to transfer with your doctor. When conditions are suitable, transferring a single embryo is preferred to reduce the risk of multiple pregnancy. After the embryo has been transferred, the next step is implantation, which cannot be confirmed on the day of the procedure.
6. The Waiting Period and the Pregnancy Test
Waiting for the result may make you pay close attention to every sensation. Breast tenderness, fatigue, and mild cramping can also be caused by the medications. The absence of symptoms does not indicate whether the procedure has been successful, either. You do not need to look for an answer in every change in your body.
Continue your prescribed treatment, which may include progesterone to support the uterine lining. If you experience spotting or receive an early negative result from a home pregnancy test, contact the team without stopping your medication on your own.
Prolonged bed rest is not routinely recommended. Your doctor will advise you on suitable activities based on your recovery. You can specifically discuss work, walking, and your usual daily activities so that you are not left with unnecessary restrictions or uncertainty.
The β-hCG blood test is performed on the date specified by the team. Testing too early may produce a misleading result. If the test is positive, follow-up care will be arranged, including an ultrasound examination to determine where the pregnancy is developing and how it is progressing.
When Should You Contact the Medical Team?
You do not need to determine the cause of a concerning symptom on your own. Worsening abdominal pain, significant bloating, repeated vomiting, or reduced urination require you to contact a doctor. These symptoms may be associated with ovarian hyperstimulation, an excessive response of the ovaries to treatment.
If you experience a fever, heavy bleeding, or severe pain after egg retrieval, you should also seek medical assessment. Shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting, or sudden severe pain require emergency medical attention.
At Adella Clinic, you can discuss how the IVF procedure will unfold in your individual case and how to prepare for it. Your consultation is an opportunity to discuss not only the tests and treatment plan but also the questions you have not yet had a chance to ask.
Frequently Asked Questions About the IVF Procedure
Can I Continue Working During Treatment?
If you feel well, you can often continue working, provided you allow time for your appointments. Plan to take time off for egg retrieval and recovery. If your job is physically demanding or involves night shifts, discuss with your doctor what adjustments may be necessary.
What Should I Do If I Am Late Taking an Injection?
Contact the team as soon as possible and tell them which medication has been prescribed, the dose, and when you were supposed to administer it. Do not double the dose. A particularly prompt response is needed if the medication is the final maturation trigger because of the scheduled egg retrieval.
Does My Partner Need to Attend Every Appointment?
This depends on the purpose of the appointment. Clarify in advance when your partner needs to be present for a consultation, testing, providing a sample, or completing paperwork. If you need support after anesthesia, another person close to you can also accompany you.
What Happens If the Test Is Negative?
First, send the result to the team so you can receive instructions about your medication. This will be followed by a discussion of the treatment you have undergone and the options for another transfer or a different approach. You can discuss when it would be medically appropriate to continue and how much time you need before making a decision.
