What Are The 5 Stages of IVF Treatment?

The stages of IVF follow a carefully planned order. Each phase requires precise timing and monitoring to ensure the best possible outcome. Here is your answer to “What are the 5 stages of IVF?”: 

Stage 1: Ovarian Stimulation 

Your ovaries typically release one egg each month. However, an IVF process requires more eggs to work more effectively. So, the first stage, ovarian stimulation, focuses specifically on that. Therefore, doctors give you fertility medications containing hormones. These encourage your ovaries to produce multiple eggs at once. You receive daily injections for approximately 8-14 days. Doctors adjust medication doses based on how your body responds. They observe you closely during this time. Regular blood tests and ultrasounds are performed to monitor egg development and hormone levels.  

Stage 2: Trigger Injection and Egg Retrieval 

When eggs reach maturity, patients receive a trigger injection. It contains a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This injection causes final egg maturation and prepares them for collection. 34-36 hours after the trigger shot, the retrieval procedure is performed. During retrieval, doctors use a thin needle to collect mature eggs from the ovaries. It is done carefully, guided by ultrasound. This procedure takes about 20-30 minutes. Doctors give you light sedation so you are comfortable. The number of eggs retrieved varies by individual. However, it typically ranges from 8 to 15 eggs. Retrieved eggs are immediately taken to the laboratory for evaluation and further preparation. 

Stage 3: Sperm Collection and Fertilization 

On the same day when eggs are retrieved, the male partner provides a sperm sample. Laboratory technicians prepare the sperm by washing and concentrating the healthiest specimens. Then, fertilization happens in two ways. It can occur through conventional IVF, where sperm and eggs are mixed in a dish. Alternatively, through intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). ICSI involves injecting a single sperm directly into each mature egg using a microscopic needle. It helps when sperm count (number of sperm) or motility (ability to swim) is low. Fertilization typically occurs within 24 hours. The fertilized egg becomes an embryo that begins dividing and developing. 

Stage 4: Embryo Culture and Development 

These embryos grow in the laboratory for 3-6 days. Laboratory workers monitor embryo growth daily. They watch how the cells divide and grow. Embryos that develop normally reach the phase called the blastocyst stage by day 5 or 6. Not all embryos make it this far, and that is normal. Then the laboratory workers select the highest quality for transfer. Some embryos may be frozen for future use if they meet quality standards. This stage allows doctors to identify the most viable embryos. It helps in improving the success rate of the upcoming transfer procedure. 

Stage 5: Embryo Transfer and Pregnancy Test 

The final stage involves transferring selected embryos into the woman’s uterus. This simple procedure feels just like a routine gynaecological exam. It is a pain-free procedure and requires no anaesthesia. Using a thin catheter, doctors place one or two embryos directly into the uterine cavity. This is carried out under ultrasound guidance. The transfer takes just a few minutes, and patients can return home the same day. Following transfer, patients begin taking progesterone supplementation to support the uterine lining. Two weeks after transfer, a blood test measures hCG levels. The amount of this hormone helps determine if pregnancy has occurred. This waiting period is known as the “two-week wait”. It can be emotionally challenging for couples. 

All five stages together form a single IVF cycle. This cycle can be repeated if another attempt is needed.