How Does In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Work?
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a highly advanced fertility treatment that helps individuals and couples conceive by combining medications and surgical techniques. IVF works by retrieving mature eggs from the ovaries, fertilizing them with sperm in a laboratory, and transferring one or more resulting embryos into the uterus to achieve pregnancy.
IVF Explained: Step-by-Step Process
At Invetrofertilization.com, we break down exactly how IVF works to help you understand each stage of the journey:
✅ Step 1: Starting IVF Treatment
Your fertility doctor begins by evaluating your hormone levels and overall reproductive health to create a personalized treatment plan.
✅ Step 2: Ovarian Stimulation
You’ll receive fertility medications—usually injectable hormones like FSH and LH—to stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of just one.
✅ Step 3: Trigger Shot (Ovulation Induction)
A hormone injection (typically hCG) is given to trigger the final maturation of the eggs and prepare them for retrieval.
✅ Step 4: Egg Retrieval & Sperm Collection
Eggs are collected from your ovaries using ultrasound-guided aspiration. On the same day, a sperm sample is collected from your partner or a donor.
✅ Step 5: Fertilization & Embryo Development
In the lab, the eggs are fertilized with sperm through conventional insemination or Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). Embryos are cultured for several days.
✅ Step 6: Embryo Transfer
One or more high-quality embryos are selected and transferred into the uterus. This painless procedure takes only a few minutes.
✅ Step 7: Luteal Phase Support
You’ll take progesterone to support implantation and early pregnancy until your hormone levels stabilize.
✅ Step 8: Pregnancy Test
About 10 to 14 days after the embryo transfer, a blood test is performed to confirm if the embryo has implanted and pregnancy has begun.
What Are the Chances IVF Will Work?
Success rates vary, but studies show:
- 29.5% success rate on the first IVF attempt
- Steady success rates through the fourth attempt
- Up to 65% success rate by the sixth IVF cycle
While one cycle may be successful, many patients require multiple IVF cycles to achieve pregnancy.
Learn More at Invetrofertilization.com
If you’re asking, “How does IVF work?“, you’re already taking the first step toward parenthood. At Invetrofertilization.com, we offer expert guides, pricing breakdowns, and the latest advancements in fertility science to support your journey.