IVF Process Explained: A Complete Guide to Every Stage of Treatment
Mona Bungum
Article
10 min
Learn the full IVF process explained clearly, including each stage, the IVF timeline, and what to expect through testing, stimulation, retrieval, and transfer.
Understanding IVF can feel overwhelming when you are first introduced to it. There are new terms, new medications, unfamiliar procedures, and big decisions at every step. The good news is that the IVF process is predictable, carefully structured, and supported by an experienced medical team guiding you through each phase. Whether you are a couple, a single parent by choice, or a same sex female couple, knowing what to expect helps remove uncertainty and gives you a stronger sense of control.
The IVF procedure follows a clear sequence. It starts with initial testing, moves into ovarian stimulation, continues through egg retrieval and fertilisation, and ends with embryo transfer followed by pregnancy testing. Each stage supports the next, and this is where the IVF stages become important for planning, timing, and emotional readiness. A strong understanding of the IVF timeline makes it easier to prepare your body and your schedule, and helps you feel more confident as you move through treatment.
Quick answer: IVF works by stimulating the ovaries to grow multiple eggs, retrieving those eggs under sedation, fertilising them in a laboratory, growing embryos for several days, and transferring one healthy embryo into the uterus. The entire IVF timeline typically takes six to eight weeks from the first testing appointment to the pregnancy test.
Once you learn the structure of IVF and understand how each step supports the next, the process becomes less intimidating. Below is a complete breakdown, with each step explained clearly and in plain language.
Initial Testing and Assessments
Before the IVF procedure begins, clinics start with diagnostic testing. These tests help doctors tailor the IVF process to your unique biology.
For women, testing usually includes:
- Bloodwork to check AMH, FSH, LH, estrogen, progesterone, thyroid, and vitamin D
- Transvaginal ultrasound to assess ovarian reserve and uterine health
- Screening for infectious diseases
- Sometimes hysteroscopy or saline scan if uterine concerns arise
For men, testing includes:
- Semen analysis assessing count, motility, and morphology
- Screening for infections
- Sometimes sperm DNA fragmentation testing when needed
For single women using donor sperm, the clinic follows strict screening rules to ensure donor safety. Same sex female couples may both undergo testing if reciprocal IVF is planned.
Many patients expect lifestyle guidance during this stage, but nurses often have limited time. Monitoring appointments are short, and most focus on medication tracking rather than nutrition, sleep, stress reduction, or emotional health. This is why many people seek additional support outside the clinic, especially when preparing for IVF.
Ovarian Stimulation: The First Major IVF Stage
Once testing is complete, ovarian stimulation begins. This is one of the core IVF stages and plays a major role in the success of the cycle.
Women inject gonadotropin medications daily to grow multiple follicles rather than just one. The goal is to produce enough eggs for fertilisation so that viable embryos can form.
What monitoring looks like
- Ultrasounds every two to three days
- Blood tests to measure estrogen response
- Medication adjustments based on progress
Most women describe this phase as physically and emotionally intense. Bloating, mood shifts, fatigue, and pelvic heaviness are common but temporary. This is a normal part of the IVF process explained by rising hormone levels.
Sperm Preparation: Partner or Donor
The IVF procedure can use sperm from:
A male partner
A fresh sample is usually provided on the day of egg retrieval. Men may also use frozen sperm stored previously.
A donor
Used by single women and same sex female couples. Donor sperm is frozen, heavily screened, and thawed on the day of fertilisation.
Laboratory preparation
Regardless of source, sperm is washed and processed to select the healthiest, most motile sperm. If sperm quality is reduced or if egg quality needs additional support, ICSI may be used. ICSI involves injecting a single sperm directly into the egg, increasing the chance of fertilisation.
Trigger Injection and Egg Retrieval
When the follicles reach optimal size, a trigger injection is given. This final dose ensures the eggs mature fully so they can be collected.
Egg retrieval happens about 34 to 36 hours after the trigger.
What to expect
- The procedure takes 10 to 20 minutes
- It is performed under light sedation
- A thin needle gently retrieves eggs from each ovary
- Most women go home the same day
Cramping and bloating are normal afterward. While the eggs are retrieved, sperm is prepared in the lab so fertilisation can begin immediately.
This moment marks a major milestone in the IVF timeline. It is the transition from stimulation to embryo creation.
Fertilisation and Embryo Development
Once collected, eggs are handed to the embryology team. Fertilisation happens either by placing eggs and sperm together or by ICSI.
Embryos are then grown inside controlled incubators where temperature, oxygen, and humidity are perfected. Many clinics use time lapse technology to observe every developmental step without disturbing the embryos.
What embryologists look for
- Normal cell division
- Symmetrical growth
- Fragmentation level
- Ability to reach blastocyst stage
Some embryos are tested using PGT depending on clinic policy or patient preference. PGT screens for chromosomal imbalances that could affect implantation, miscarriage risk, or pregnancy outcomes. Laws around PGT vary widely between countries.
Embryos that continue developing well are selected for transfer, while the remaining healthy embryos can be frozen for future use.
Embryo Transfer: A Key Part of the IVF Procedure
When the uterus is ready, the highest quality embryo is placed using a thin catheter. The process is gentle, quick, and does not require sedation.
Many people describe seeing the embryo flash onto the ultrasound screen as the most emotional point of the IVF stages. It signals hope and possibility after weeks of appointments and medications.
Frozen embryo transfers follow a very similar process, but with a different medication timeline.
The Two Week Wait
After transfer comes the well known two week wait. This is often the hardest emotional stage of the IVF timeline because nothing more can be done physically. The embryo is either implanting or not.
Women and men describe this period as a mixture of hope and fear. Symptoms may appear, disappear, or feel confusing. Emotional support becomes essential here.
A blood test at the clinic confirms pregnancy around 12 to 14 days after transfer.
Early Pregnancy Monitoring
If the test is positive, the clinic continues to monitor the pregnancy for several weeks. Ultrasounds check that the embryo is developing normally and hormone levels remain stable.
At around eight to ten weeks, patients transition to standard prenatal care.
IVF for Single Women and Same Sex Female Couples
The IVF process explained for these groups includes medical, legal, and emotional layers.
Single women
- Usually use donor sperm
- Sometimes choose IVF over IUI for higher success rates
- May freeze extra embryos for future family planning
Same sex female couples
They may choose one of two pathways:
- Traditional IVF with one partner providing both eggs and carrying the pregnancy
- Reciprocal IVF, where one partner provides eggs and the other partner carries the pregnancy
Reciprocal IVF allows both partners to be biologically connected to the pregnancy in different ways.
Lifestyle, Stress, and Emotional Wellbeing During IVF
IVF is not only medical. It is a physical, emotional, and psychological journey.
Lifestyle factors that influence IVF success
- Balanced nutrition
- Stable blood sugar and consistent meals
- Moderate exercise
- Seven to eight hours of sleep
- Emotional regulation
- Stress management
- Avoiding alcohol and nicotine
These factors influence hormones, egg and sperm quality, and implantation. Many people preparing for IVF learn about sleep and fertility, hormone balance, or nutrition for reproductive health to support their outcome.
Clinics understand the value of lifestyle support but rarely have time for it. Short appointments, medication tracking, and procedural demands leave little room for coaching. Patients often look outside the clinic for additional support during IVF to feel more guided and emotionally grounded.
IVF Legislation and Timelines by Country
Regulations shape what is possible during IVF. Some countries allow donor sperm for single women; others do not. Some permit PGT; others restrict it. Policies may also differ for same sex couples, embryo storage limits, and legal parenthood rights.
Understanding these laws early helps avoid delays and prepares patients for realistic options.
A More Detailed Look at the IVF Timeline
Here is an example of a typical IVF timeline from start to finish:
Week 1 to 2
Diagnostic testing, lifestyle preparation, and medication teaching.
Week 3 to 4
Ovarian stimulation with daily injections and monitoring.
Week 4
Trigger shot followed by egg retrieval.
Week 4 to 5
Fertilisation and embryo development.
Week 5
Fresh embryo transfer or freezing for later transfer.
Week 5 to 7
Two week wait and pregnancy testing.
Week 7 to 10
Early pregnancy monitoring before transitioning to standard maternity care.
This structure shows how the IVF stages build on one another in a predictable sequence.
FAQs about IVF Process
How long does it take to get pregnant during IVF?
From the start of testing to the pregnancy test, the IVF timeline typically takes six to eight weeks. Pregnancy itself is confirmed about 12 to 14 days after the embryo transfer through a blood test.
What is the hardest stage of IVF?
Most people say the two week wait is the hardest stage. Physically, ovarian stimulation can also feel intense because of bloating, fatigue, frequent appointments, and shifting hormones.
At what age is IVF most successful?
Success rates are highest for women under 35. Success gradually declines after 37 and drops more steeply after 40 because egg quality decreases with age. Donor eggs can boost success for women who have reduced ovarian reserve.
What is the riskiest part of IVF?
The main medical risk is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, which can happen during ovarian stimulation. Clinics monitor closely to prevent it. The emotional risk peaks during the two week wait when uncertainty is at its highest.
Where do most IVF fail?
Most IVF cycles fail because the embryo does not implant. Implantation depends on embryo quality, uterine health, immune factors, hormones, and age. This is a natural biological process and not a mistake by the patient or clinic.
Who is a bad candidate for IVF?
Women with severely diminished ovarian reserve, advanced age, unmanaged medical conditions, or unaddressed uterine abnormalities may have lower chances. Men with extremely poor sperm production may also need specialised treatments or surgical retrieval before IVF is possible.
When do most IVF miscarriages occur?
Most miscarriages, including those in IVF pregnancies, happen in the first trimester, often before 10 weeks. Many early losses are due to chromosomal issues in the embryo.
How to avoid miscarriage during IVF?
While you cannot prevent every miscarriage, you can reduce risk by stabilising hormones, supporting thyroid function, maintaining healthy blood sugar, improving egg and sperm quality before treatment, minimising stress, and following medication protocols closely.
What is the best month for IVF success?
There is no single best month. Success depends more on age, egg quality, sperm health, and clinic expertise. Some studies show small seasonal variations, but nothing strong enough to change treatment plans.
Why do I keep losing my baby at 8 weeks?
Recurrent losses around eight weeks are often linked to chromosomal abnormalities, hormonal imbalances, thyroid issues, clotting disorders, or uterine problems. A recurrent pregnancy loss workup helps identify the underlying cause.
What is the number one cause of miscarriage?
The most common cause is chromosomal abnormalities in the embryo. These happen naturally and increase with age, especially after 35.
Does bed rest prevent miscarriage?
No. Bed rest does not reduce miscarriage risk. In fact, doctors rarely recommend it because it does not improve outcomes and can sometimes create additional stress.
Final Reflections
IVF is a partnership between medical science, emotional resilience, and personal preparation. Understanding the IVF process explained in detail gives patients clarity and confidence from the first appointment to embryo transfer. Whether you are a couple, a single woman, or part of a same sex female couple, knowing the IVF timeline and the IVF stages helps you feel more grounded in what is happening and why.
Medical teams manage the science with precision, but lifestyle and emotional support often fall outside the time limits of busy clinics. This is where external guidance can bridge the gap. Many people turn to additional coaching for nutrition, sleep, emotional wellbeing, relationship communication, and stress reduction. This support makes the IVF procedure feel less overwhelming and helps the journey feel more manageable.
IVF is not just about creating embryos. It is about building a foundation for a healthy pregnancy and future family. By combining skilled medical care with informed lifestyle choices, patients can enter treatment with more confidence, stability, and hope.
Conceivio accompanies patients not only through treatment, but through the entire journey of conception, pregnancy, early parenthood, and beyond ensuring no one has to navigate these complex phases alone.
