What Are The 5 Stages of IVF?
- 14 Oct, 2022
- IVF and Infertility
- infertility
- Medically Reviewed By:
Dr. Nishi Singh - Author: Prime IVF Centre
IVF stage typically involves several steps. One cycle of IVF can take about two to three weeks. Many people are aware of IVF but may not know the intricacies behind the procedure. IVF, also known as In-Vitro Fertilisation, is a type of assisted reproductive procedure.
In IVF, the woman’s eggs and the man’s sperm are combined outside the body. Fertility problems are common nowadays. Medical experts opine that there are various reasons behind infertility. However, the most common cause is the reduction in sperm count in men and the decrease in egg reserve in women.
Table Of Content
- Stage 1- Stimulation of the Ovaries
- Stage 2- Retrieval of the Eggs
- Stage 3- Retrieval of Sperm Cells
- Stage 4- Fertilisation
- Stage 5- Transfer of the Fertilised Egg
IVF can be an option to correct the numerous causes of infertility. If you are planning to undergo an IVF procedure, it is essential to know about the IVF stage. The process before and after an IVF procedure involves your body. By learning about the various stages involved in IVF, you can prepare for the physical impact.
The Working Mechanism of IVF
IVF functions with a combination of surgical procedures and medicines to assist sperm cells in fertilising an egg. After the fertilisation of the egg is complete, the doctor will implant it in the woman’s uterus. IVF comprises numerous steps, and it takes several months to complete each step.
IVF mainly works on the first attempt. However, you may need more than one round of IVF to get pregnant. IVF can drastically increase your chances of pregnancy. Here are the five standard stages of IVF you should know.
IVF Process and Its Stages
The IVF process mainly refers to the stages involved in the procedure (Read IVF process in Hindi). Here are the five most common stages involved in the IVF procedure.
Stage 1- Stimulation of the Ovaries
Stimulation of the ovaries is the primary stage involved in IVF. Your doctor will recommend injectable hormones to stimulate the working mechanism of the ovaries. They will produce several eggs in a month by stimulating the ovaries.
It will assist in augmenting the possibility of at least one embryo during IVF. Your doctor will also prescribe numerous fertility medications to improve the function of ovarian follicles. This stage usually happens over ten days before your eggs are ready for collection.
Stage 2- Retrieval of the Eggs
The second stage in the IVF process is egg retrieval. Note that egg retrieval is an in-clinic and straightforward procedure. This procedure is pretty simple and involves intravenous sedation. The egg retrieval procedure also involves a transvaginal ultrasound.
In most cases, the egg retrieval procedure doesn’t last more than twenty minutes. Your doctor will place the eggs in a culture medium. Lab technicians will add sperm later during the day for fertilisation. After the procedure, you may experience cramping, which is perfectly normal.
Stage 3- Retrieval of Sperm Cells
Your doctor will ask for a semen sample if you are using your partner’s sperm. You will also have the flexibility to use donor sperm. Some clinics may harvest the sperm in advance and freeze it. In complex cases, your doctor may harvest the sperm surgically. Before undergoing the procedure, you should know about IVF treatment cost.
Stage 4- Fertilisation
It is the primary and most crucial stage of the IVF procedure. Nowadays, there are two methods of IVF fertilisation.
- Conventional Insemination
In this fertilisation procedure, the doctor will mix healthy sperm and eggs in a petri dish. Conventional fertilisation is also known as natural fertilisation.
- Intracytoplasmic Fertilisation
Intracytoplasmic fertilisation, also known as ICSI, involves injecting sperm into each egg. ICSI is a standard procedure if your partner has fertility issues.
After combining the sperm and the egg, the medical team will wait for at least 20 hours. Modern-day clinics usually grow the fertilised eggs for at least a week before implanting them.
Stage 5- Transfer of the Fertilised Egg
The transfer of the fertilised egg or the embryo is the last stage in IVF. The embryo transfer involves the doctor using ultrasound guidance to inject the fertilised eggs into the uterus. After the embryo transfer procedure, you can resume your daily routine. You should also know about the details associated with IVF cost.
Dr Nishi Singh at Prime IVF is the most experienced infertility doctor in Gurgaon. You can consult with her to know the success rates of IVF. She will also enlighten you about IVF cost.
