IVF Steps & What to Expect – Iswarya Fertility Centre
27 Oct 2025
What Are the Steps of IVF and What Can Patients Expect?
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a widely used assisted reproductive technology that helps many couples conceive when natural conception is challenging. Understanding the steps involved can ease anxiety and prepare you for the journey ahead.
Step 1: Ovarian Stimulation
In a natural cycle, usually one egg matures per month. To increase the chances of success with IVF, fertility medications are used to stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs in one cycle.
You will self-administer hormone injections (usually follicle-stimulating hormone or FSH) daily for about 8 to 14 days.
Your doctor will monitor follicular growth and hormone levels through regular ultrasound scans and blood tests.
When the follicles are ready, a trigger injection (human chorionic gonadotropin or hCG) is given to complete the maturation of eggs.
Step 2: Egg Retrieval
Around 34 to 36 hours after the trigger shot, the eggs are retrieved in a minor procedure.
Done under sedation, a needle guided by ultrasound is inserted through the vaginal wall to collect eggs from the ovaries.
The procedure lasts about 20-30 minutes and usually causes minimal discomfort.
Retrieved eggs are immediately sent to the embryology lab for assessment.
Step 3: Fertilization and Embryo Culture
Once the eggs are collected,
Fertilization is done in the lab by mixing eggs with prepared sperm (insemination).
In cases where sperm quality or count is low, a single sperm may be injected directly into each egg using Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI).
Fertilization is assessed 16-18 hours later.
Successfully fertilized eggs, called embryos, are cultured in an incubator mimicking the natural environment.
Embryos develop over 3 to 5 days to the blastocyst stage, where the healthiest embryos are selected for transfer.
Step 4: Embryo Transfer
The selected embryo(s) are transferred into the uterus through a simple, painless procedure using a thin catheter.
Usually done 3 to 5 days after egg retrieval.
The number of embryos transferred depends on your age, embryo quality, and other clinical factors.
Extra embryos of good quality can be frozen for future cycles (cryopreservation).
Step 5: Pregnancy Test and Follow-Up
About 10-14 days after embryo transfer, a blood test measures hCG levels to confirm pregnancy.
Your fertility team will provide guidance and support regardless of the result.
If pregnant, ultrasound scans monitor early pregnancy development.
What Patients Can Expect During the IVF Journey
Multiple clinic visits for monitoring and medication adjustments.
Hormonal side effects such as bloating and mild mood swings.
Emotional ups and downs; support and counseling are important.
High success rates with personalized and attentive care at Iswarya Fertility Centre.
Tailored treatment plans based on individual response and diagnosis.
Start Your IVF Journey with Confidence at Iswarya Fertility Centre
IVF is a complex but hopeful path to parenthood. With expert guidance, modern technology, and compassionate care, Iswarya Fertility Centre is committed to supporting you every step of the way.
Book your consultation today and take the first step toward fulfilling your parenthood dreams.