what-are-the-5-stages-of-ivf

[what-are-the-5-stages-of-ivf]

What Are The 5 Stages of IVF?

Undergoing IVF treatment can certainly feel like an emotional rollercoaster at times. As you navigate the process and undergo this assisted reproductive technology, it helps to understand the key stages involved so you know what to expect. This overview will walk through the 5 main stages of the IVF process to help you prepare and hopefully ease any anxieties.

Stage 1: Assessment and Preparation

The first stage is assessment and preparation. Before beginning actual treatment, the IVF clinic will start by thoroughly assessing your medical history, along with your partner’s if applicable. They will evaluate factors like hormone levels, ovulation patterns, reproductive anatomy, and more to determine if IVF is advisable and if so, devise a preliminary treatment plan best suited to your circumstances. 

You may undergo a hysteroscopy at this stage to examine the uterus for any structural issues. Various baseline scans and bloodwork will also help establish starting benchmarks key to monitoring progress in later stages. Age, lifestyle factors, and the specific fertility challenges identified will further inform the treatment protocol.

Once given the green light to proceed, preparing your body helps maximize chances of success. The clinic may provide instructions for supplements, dietary changes, and managing other health conditions prior to treatment. Staying active, limiting alcohol, quitting smoking, reducing stress, and attaining a healthy BMI set the stage for the best outcome.   

Stage 2: Ovarian Stimulation

Ovarian stimulation aims to facilitate development of multiple mature eggs for optimal IVF results. This starts by administering fertility hormones each day to stimulate the ovaries and follicles. The most common drugs used are injectable gonadotropins. The specific medications and dosing depend on your diagnostic results and customized treatment plan.

Progress monitoring becomes very important at this stage. You will undergo regular blood tests to check hormone levels and transvaginal ultrasounds to examine follicle growth. Your gonadotropin dosage may require adjustment based on these follow-ups to achieve the ideal stimulation. Once tests indicate the follicles have reached maturation of ~18-20mm, you are ready to proceed.

Stage 3: Egg Retrieval 

Now you are set for egg retrieval, which is done as an outpatient procedure. About 34-36 hours before your scheduled retrieval, you will inject hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). This prepares the eggs for optimal maturity and triggers final development. 

On retrieval day, IV sedation or general anesthesia provides comfort. The doctor then inserts an ultrasound-guided hollow needle through the vaginal canal into each ovary to collect the fluid and egg cells from the follicles. This takes about 30 minutes. The eggs are immediately handed to the embryologist who will prepare them for fertilization. 

You can go home shortly after to rest while the next stage begins. Soreness, cramping, and light spotting are normal post-retrieval. Taking it easy after this intensive process allows your body to recover properly.

Stage 4: Fertilization 

Fertilization unfolds promptly after egg retrieval while the eggs are at peak health. Here, the eggs collected are combined with sperm from your partner or donor in the embryology laboratory. Common techniques include standard IVF, ICSI (micro-injection into the egg), or PICSI (selecting sperm with proven completion ability) depending on indications. If using frozen eggs or frozen donor sperm, these must properly thaw beforehand.  

After some time culturing the fertilized eggs (now embryos) in the incubator under stable conditions, the embryologist will check for successful fertilization and monitor cell division progress. If this key milestone is reached within the timeframe expected for a healthy developing embryo, we arrive at the final stage.

Stage 5: Embryo Transfer

Day 3-5 after fertilization marks the window for embryo transfer into the uterus, typically after some additional screening. Timing the exact day for transfer optimizes implantation potential for each patient scenario. The procedure itself is relatively quick, placing the chosen embryo(s) into the uterine cavity via a thin catheter through the cervix. Accompanying progesterone supplements continue to support pregnancy progression.

Two weeks later, preliminary blood tests can determine if implantation was achieved this cycle leading to a continuing pregnancy. If so – congratulations! Your spirit of perseverance through intensive IVF produced the new life you’ve waited so long for. If not achieved this round, take heart that future attempts or supplementing with a gestational carrier may yet realize your dreams of parenthood.

Understanding the structured flow of stimulation, retrieval, lab work, and transfer intrinsic to IVF helps you know what milestones mark progress. While emotionally trying at times, focusing on each next step moves you forward. Our clinic provides resources and counsel every step of the way so you do not have to navigate solo. Lean on us as you give your best to achieve a much longed for positive outcome!

Srishti Hospital and Dr. Mamta Gupta for IVF Treatment

Srishti Hospital in Jaipur, Rajasthan is a leading fertility and IVF center under the direction of Gynecologist, Obstetrician and IVF Specialist Dr. Mamta Gupta. With over 21 years of experience helping couples conceive, Dr. Mamta Gupta offers comprehensive fertility treatments including IVF, IUI, ICSI, egg/embryo freezing, egg donation, and gestational surrogacy.

As both a gynecologist and infertility specialist, Dr. Gupta provides science-based care paired with emotional support throughout the challenges of infertility treatment. Srishti Hospital has state-of-the-art IVF labs and nursing staff to monitor progress every step of the way. From your first injection to your embryo transfer, you can trust Dr. Mamta Gupta and her team at Srishti Hospital for your best chance at successful conception through IVF.