What is IVF and How Does It Work?
The path to parenthood looks different for everyone. If you’re exploring fertility treatments, you’ve likely come across the term IVF and have many questions about what the journey involves. So, what is it?
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) is a well-established form of assisted reproductive technology (ART) where an egg is fertilised by sperm outside the body, in a specialised laboratory. The full term “in vitro” is Latin for “in glass,” which is where the process gets its name.
Once a healthy embryo develops from this fertilisation, it is carefully transferred back into the uterus with the goal of achieving a pregnancy. This multi-step process allows fertility specialists to overcome various obstacles that might prevent conception from happening naturally. It’s a common and widely used treatment for individuals and couples facing a wide range of fertility challenges.
The IVF Process: A Step-by-Step Timeline
Understanding the IVF journey from start to finish can help you know what to expect. While every patient’s protocol is personalised, the treatment typically follows five key stages over a period of 4 to 6 weeks per cycle.
Here is a step-by-step breakdown of what to expect:
Stage 1: Ovarian Stimulation & Monitoring (Approx. 8-14 days) You will begin a course of hormone injections to stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs, rather than the single egg typical of a natural cycle. During this time, you will have regular ultrasound scans and blood tests to monitor follicle growth and hormone levels.
Stage 2: Egg Retrieval (30-minute procedure) Once your eggs are mature, you will undergo a minor surgical procedure called egg retrieval (or “egg pickup”). This is performed under sedation. A thin needle, guided by ultrasound, is used to collect the eggs from the follicles in your ovaries.
Stage 3: Fertilisation in the Lab (Same day as retrieval) On the same day your eggs are retrieved, they are combined with your partner’s or a donor’s sperm in the laboratory. Our embryologists then monitor them closely for signs of fertilisation.
Stage 4: Embryo Development (3-5 days) The successfully fertilised eggs, now called embryos, are left to grow and develop in a controlled incubator for several days. Our team will keep you updated on their progress as they reach key developmental milestones.
Stage 5: Embryo Transfer (15-minute procedure) Three to five days after egg retrieval, the best-quality embryo (or embryos, depending on your treatment plan) is selected and transferred into your uterus using a thin, flexible catheter. This is a quick and straightforward procedure that is usually well-tolerated and does not require sedation. Any additional healthy embryos can be frozen for future use.
Finding out you’re pregnant after IVF
Two weeks after implantation, we take a blood test to measure your hCG levels to determine if you’re pregnant. Hopes and fears can both run wild during these two weeks. We know waiting for this test is hard, but we encourage you to do so. There’s little to be gained from testing earlier, and, in some cases, it can give you a false result.Â
We know a lot is riding on the results of your pregnancy test. It can be distressing if it’s negative. And, if it’s positive, there’s likely to be a mix of emotions – both joy and excitement mixed with anxiety.Â
How to calculate your due date after IVF
If you find out you’re pregnant, there’s one question that you, your family and your friends are bound to ask – when is the baby due?Â
With a natural pregnancy, the due date is considered to be 40 weeks after the start of the last menstrual period. That’s because it’s usually hard to know exactly when conception took place.Â
With IVF, of course, we know exactly when fertilisation and implantation occurred, which means we calculate your due date a little differently. It’s based on the date your embryo was transferred and its age at the time.Â
| Age of embryo at transfer | 3 days | 5 days |
| Due date | Date of transfer + 263 days (38 weeks) | Date of transfer + 261 days |
Knowing the due date helps with your personal planning and your pregnancy care. Remember, though, it’s an estimated date. Very few births happen on the due date – babies have always loved to surprise us!Â
How can Demeter Fertility help?Â
Whatever your situation, we’re here for you. We’ve helped to create families for a wide range of patients. We’re LGBTQI+ friendly and set no upper age limit or weight limit for our patients. At Demeter Fertility, we approach each case individually, offering our professional skills and understanding to you at each stage of your journey.Â
If you’re ready to chat, please contact us today.
Frequently Asked Questions About IVF
- What are the 5 main stages of an IVF procedure? The five primary stages of IVF are: 1. Ovarian Stimulation (using hormone medications), 2. Egg Retrieval (a minor surgical procedure), 3. Fertilisation (combining eggs and sperm in the lab), 4. Embryo Culture (allowing the embryo to grow), and 5. Embryo Transfer (placing the embryo into the uterus).
- Â How long is the IVF process from start to finish? A single IVF cycle typically takes between 4 to 6 weeks, from the first day of ovarian stimulation to the pregnancy test. However, the entire journey from your initial consultation to a completed cycle can take several months.
- Is the IVF process painful? The process involves stages that may cause discomfort. The daily hormone injections can cause localised bruising and bloating. The egg retrieval is performed under sedation, which is used to manage pain and discomfort during the procedure, though you may experience some cramping or soreness afterward. The embryo transfer is a straightforward procedure that is usually well-tolerated and feels similar to a pap smear.
- At what stage does IVF usually fail? IVF can fail at any stage, but the most common points are embryo arrest (the embryo stops developing after fertilisation) and implantation failure (the embryo does not attach to the uterine wall after transfer). Your fertility specialist will discuss your specific chances of success based on your individual circumstances.
- How do you calculate your due date after IVF? Unlike a natural pregnancy, an IVF due date is very precise. It is calculated based on the exact date of your embryo transfer and the age of the embryo at that time (either 3 days or 5 days old).
- For a 3-day embryo transfer: Your due date is 263 days after the transfer date.
- For a 5-day embryo transfer: Your due date is 261 days after the transfer date.
Disclaimer
All information is general and not intended as a substitute for professional advice.Â
References
- Centre of Perinatal Excellence, Pregnancy after infertility, https://www.cope.org.au/expecting-a-baby/pregnant/life-after-ivf/, [Accessed 12 March 2024]