The IVF Process Timeline and Calendar – How Long Does an IVF Process Take?

The IVF process and its timeline can be different for individuals as no two cases are similar and may require a specialized approach. Although each cycle can be a little bit different, the in vitro fertilization or IVF process usually lasts between 2 to 6 weeks.

The IVF patient uses the first 3 weeks of the cycle to take oral birth control pills (contraceptives) in order to regulate her hormones and synchronize the menstrual period. This ensures the proper timing of the medications she will be taking.

After determining her treatment plan and protocol, medical experts at her fertility clinic will give her a comprehensive IVF timeline calendar and drug sheet that she needs to follow.

Below is a step-by-step timeline of a typical IVF process cycle to give you an idea of how long an IVF cycle may take.

Step 1: Preparing for IVF

In order to create a customized IVF plan for your situation, comprehensive laboratory tests are done that reveal the overall fertility health and complications. Some typical pre-IVF tests are:

• Ultrasound
• Blood panel test
• Screening for infectious disease
• Evaluating uterine lining
• Sperm analysis and other male fertility tests

Step 2: Ovulation Suppression & Developing Eggs Follicles

The first part of the IVF process begins on the day the woman starts her menstrual cycle. During this phase, she takes birth control pills to regulate her menstrual cycle and synchronize the timing with that of other fertility medications.

On the 21st day of her period, the woman begins to take Lupron – an injectable fertility drug that she will have to take for a period of 10 days. Lupron works on the part of the brain that stimulates the ovaries and prevents ovulation. As a result, the ovaries produce many matured follicles instead of one during the monthly cycle.

After 10 days of taking Lupron, the fertility specialist carries out a suppression check to be sure of the ovulation suppression.

The woman then starts taking ovarian stimulation medications.

The common injectables include – Follistim, Bravelle, Repronex, Menopur, and Gonal-F. The woman will continue taking Lupron during this time until she achieves pregnancy.

The ovarian stimulation process lasts from 8 to 12 days. 

Next, the woman will undergo blood tests and transvaginal ultrasounds. Fertility specialists carry out these tests to check when the largest egg follicles reach up to 18–22 mm in width, which is, the ideal size for a follicle. When the follicles get to this size, they have matured and are ready for harvesting.

Step 3: Preparing for the Egg Retrieval – Trigger Shot

Precisely 36 hours before the egg retrieval, the woman receives an injection of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). This medication encourages the release of eggs from the follicles. It is referred to as the trigger shot and the IVF cycle’s success rate greatly depends on it.

Note that the timing of this shot is extremely important as the eggs will release 40 hours after the trigger shot. Hence, it is crucial to collect them before they leave the ovaries.

Administering the shot too early may cause the eggs to leave the ovary already and enter the fallopian tube. It won’t be possible to harvest the eggs from there.

Step 4: Egg Retrieval

Egg retrieval itself is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that takes about 30 minutes.

Since the timing of this procedure is important, the egg retrieval procedure should be scheduled before the woman receives the trigger shot to ensure proper synchronization. If the woman’s partner is donating the sperm, the donation is usually done on the same day of the egg retrieval.

Following the retrieval, the eggs are sent to the laboratory, where the experts will grade and test them. The grading and testing process allows the fertility clinic to know the exact number of healthy, viable eggs they would be working with.

Step 5: IVF Fertilization Process

Eggs are fertilized shortly after they are retrieved or thawed (if using frozen eggs).

In most cases, egg fertilization is done by introducing them into a petri dish containing sperm. However, fertilization can also be carried out through ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) process. In this case, the fertility clinic collects the semen sample from the intended father and finds the most viable sperm. A single viable sperm is injected into the egg to increase the chances of fertilization.

ICSI method is very helpful, especially when there are sperm issues since only one healthy sperm is enough for fertilization.

Step 6: Creating the Embryos for IVF Process

After creating the embryos, they are then cultured in the IVF laboratory for 3 to 6 days. The IVF embryo creation timeline is as follows:

• Day 1-3: The embryos are grown in culture media. The design of the media is similar to the fluid in the fallopian tubes. Then, the embryos are sent into another culture media that mimics the environment around the uterus.
• Day 4-6: The IVF expert then cultures the embryos for some days until they reach the blastocyst stage.
• Transfer of embryos in the blastocyst stage: Although on day 3 embryos might have already started dividing, they only have 6 to 8 cells. On the other hand, by day 5 to 6 embryos have about 80 to 120 cells. So, transferring blastocysts at this stage has many advantages over transferring the embryos at day 2 to 3 stage. It allows doctors to choose only the best quality embryos and ensure the best possible result. Additionally, this embryo stage is suitable for performing pre-implantation genetic tests (PGT-M/PGT-A). The test checks for possible genetic disorders in the embryo and contributes to the success rate of the IVF cycle.

Step 7: Preparing the Uterus Lining

Meanwhile, the woman begins daily injections of progesterone the day following the egg retrieval. Progesterone nourishes the uterus lining and prepares it for introducing the embryos into the body.

The woman continues taking this supplement for 14 to 21 days after the embryo transfer.

Step 8: Embryo(s) Transferring

The embryo transfer takes place about 3 to 6 days after embryo transfer. The embryo transfer procedure is just like intrauterine insemination (IUI). It is done at the doctor’s office, takes around 15 to 20 minutes, and requires no anesthesia.

During this procedure, the doctor will introduce a small and flexible catheter into the womb via the cervix. The embryo(s) are transferred directly into the uterus for implantation.

After this, the woman will have to rest for a minimum of 30 minutes before she is allowed to go home. However, taking bed rest after embryo transfer is not generally required.

Note: Transferring multiple embryos also increases the chances of conceiving multiples during pregnancy.

Step 9: Taking the Pregnancy Test

The woman undergoes a pregnancy test 11 to 14 days after the embryo transfer. A blood test often takes place to ascertain a positive pregnancy since it is more accurate.

Did you know?

The phrase “in vitro” in Latin means “within the glass.” In broader spectrum an “in-vitro” means any process taking place outside the living organism. In the in-vitro fertilization process, eggs are fertilized using sperm in a petri dish, supervised in a laboratory.

A Word from Our IVF Experts

We hope the above step-by-step discussion helps you understand the IVF process timeline from start to finish and make your fertility journey more comfortable.

Our skilled and experienced experts, highly efficient IVF lab, and personalized treatment plans have helped us boast one of the highest success rates for IVF procedures in the nation.

If you have more questions regarding the IVF process, simply schedule a consultation with one of our medical experts. Consultation can be done virtually too.