Understanding the IVF Process: Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Are you still waiting for a positive pregnancy test even after a year of trying? Well, you’re not alone. Over 15 million Indians suffer from infertility as per the Indian Journal of Community Medicine, 2024. However, this doesn’t mean you should give up your dream of becoming a parent. IVF or In Vitro Fertilization is how you can conceive. Thus, in this blog, we will discuss what IVF means and provide a thorough step-by-step guide to the IVF treatment process. 

What is an IVF pregnancy?

As mentioned earlier, the full form of IVF is In Vitro Fertilization. In simple terms, “in vitro” refers to a process that occurs outside the body. The IVF treatment process involves the fertilization of the female egg with the male sperm in a laboratory setting, outside the female’s body. But is it reliable? The IVF success rate in India ranges from 60-70%, making it a considerable option for pregnancy. But do you really need to undergo the IVF process? So, if your IVF specialist identifies any of the conditions listed below, you may be advised to consider IVF as a treatment option:

• A blocked or damaged fallopian tube
• Ovulation disorders include PCOS(Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), Endometriosis(abnormal uterine tissue growth outside the uterus), tumours, and cysts.
• Fibroids in the uterus 
• Low sperm count or immotile sperm in males

Are you diagnosed with any of the above and willing to go for treatment of IVF? Stated below is the step-by-step explanation of the IVF process. 

IVF Procedure step-by-step explained 

Your first IVF cycle will take around 3-6 weeks. Before starting, a few important tests must be performed on you and your partner. This includes looking at your medical history, doing blood tests, and ultrasound scans, and checking both your uterus and your partner’s sperm health. These tests help find any issues that could affect the success of the IVF and allow the doctor to plan your treatment accordingly. Once you complete these tests, you will begin your first IVF cycle, which we break down into 6 main steps and state as follows:

Step 1: Ovarian Stimulation

• In this step, doctors administer daily hormone injections (usually gonadotropins) to stimulate the female’s ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of just one. This is because most eggs do not fertilize or fuse correctly with the sperm. So, to stay on the safer side, we produce multiple eggs.
• Next, doctors frequently perform blood tests and transvaginal ultrasounds to monitor your hormone levels and track follicle (egg sac) growth.
• Doctors may adjust dosages based on how your ovaries respond.
• When enough follicles reach the right size, a final IVF injection (hCG or GnRH agonist) is given to trigger the final maturation of the produced eggs. 
• The next step of retrieving the eggs is then scheduled 34–36 hours after this “trigger shot.”

Step 2: Egg Retrieval 

• Doctors perform this procedure in a fertility clinic under light sedation or anaesthesia.
• Doctors insert a thin needle through the vaginal wall using an ultrasound device to reach the ovaries.
• They gently remove the eggs, which these follicles contain, through the same needle using suction.
• These suctioned eggs are then immediately placed in a lab dish with a special culture medium (nutrient-rich fluid for growth) and stored in an incubator.
• Mild cramping or spotting may occur afterwards, but recovery is usually quick. 

Moreover, most women consider this step painful, which is why the phrase “IVF is painful” is often heard, but in reality, egg retrieval usually causes only mild discomfort and bloating.

Step 3: Fertilization and Embryo Development

• Mature eggs are separated after the egg retrieval step. 
• There are two types of fertilization techniques during this step: natural fertilization and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection fertilization, ICSI. 
• So, if there are no defects in the sperm, it is directly mixed with each egg and left to be fertilized naturally in an IVF test tube. 
• However, if the sperm quality is low, they carry out ICSI fertilization. For this, they then inject the sperm from the partner into every mature egg in a lab. The majority of fertility hospitals use this method of fertilization.
• They then assess fertilization 16-18 hours later to check how many eggs have become embryos.
• They closely monitor these embryos for 3-5 days for quality based on cell growth, structure, and fragmentation. The best ones are chosen for embryo transfer, while healthy extras can be frozen for future use.

Step 4: Embryo Transfer 

• Based on the type of embryo used, the transfer process is of two types:

1. Fresh Embryo Transfer: Done 3-5 days after egg retrieval; embryos are transferred directly into the uterus without freezing.
2. Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET): Done 3-6 weeks after egg retrieval; previously frozen embryos are thawed (warmed to body temperature) and then transferred into the uterus.

• The fertility specialist selects the embryo (fresh or frozen) and loads one or more into a thin, flexible catheter.
• The doctor inserts the catheter through the cervix and into the uterus while guiding the procedure with ultrasound.
• The specialist gently releases the embryos into the uterine cavity.
• The procedure is quick, painless, and usually doesn’t require anaesthesia.
• After transfer, patients may rest briefly before going home.
• The care team continues hormonal support (usually progesterone) to help the embryo implant successfully.

Step 5: Pregnancy Test After Your First IVF Cycle 

• A blood test is done 10-14 days after IVF embryo transfer to measure hCG (the pregnancy hormone).
• If hCG levels indicate pregnancy, another test follows in 2-3 days to confirm rising levels.
• Doctors schedule an early pregnancy ultrasound around 6-7 weeks after the transfer to confirm a heartbeat and rule out ectopic pregnancy.
• If the test is negative, the fertility team will discuss next steps, including a possible future IVF cycle or testing adjustments.

To know about IVF success rate, Also read : IVF success rate and how to improve yours

How to prepare for the IVF treatment process?

It is important to begin preparing at least 3-6 months before your first IVF cycle. This preparation period supports better egg quality and a healthier uterine lining in women, while also improving sperm health in men. Thus, we state the key factors to help you get ready below:

Conclusion 

Now that you understand the entire IVF treatment process and what to expect, take the next step—find a trusted IVF clinic near you and schedule a consultation. Your IVF specialist will guide you based on your age and health status, helping you understand the best path forward. Many people misunderstand or treat IVF pregnancy as taboo, yet it gives countless couples the golden gift of parenthood. So, do you want to learn more? Give us a call at 9967050566 today. 

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Question: Is IVF treatment safe?
Answer: Yes, IVF is a safe, effective, and well-regulated medical procedure. Minor side effects may occur, but serious risks are rare. Moreover, at Femcare Fertility, our certified IVF specialists and advanced technology make your treatment as safe and comfortable as possible. 

Question: Are IVF injections painful?
Answer: An IVF injection may cause mild discomfort or bruising, but is generally well tolerated. Most patients find them manageable with proper guidance and care during the treatment cycle. 

Question: How much does an IVF injection cost in India?
Answer: The cost of an IVF injection in India generally ranges between ₹50,000 to ₹1,20,000, depending on the dosage, brand, and patient’s specific medical protocol. 

Question: What are the common IVF side effects?
Answer: The treatment of IVF may cause mild side effects like:

• Bloating
• Breast tenderness
• Mood swings
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Abdominal cramping
• Light spotting
  These are usually temporary and subside after the cycle. Contact your doctor if symptoms worsen.

Question: Where can I find an IVF center near me?
Answer: If you’re looking for a trusted IVF clinic, Femcare Fertility offers treatment options in Kolkata and Pune. Visit www.femcarefertility.com or call 9967050566 to schedule your first appointment. 

Question: When should I consult an IVF specialist for IVF treatment?
Answer: You should seek help if:

• Age ≤35: after 12 months of trying
• Age 35–40: after 6 months
• Age ≥40: consult immediately
  Early evaluation helps identify the main cause of infertility and improves the IVF success rate.