What are the 5 stages of IVF: Step-by-Step Guide

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is one of the most effective treatments for couples who are struggling to have a baby. This process involves combining eggs with sperm in a lab to create an embryo. This embryo is then placed in the woman’s womb to grow.

If you’re considering IVF, understanding its steps can help you feel more prepared and confident. Here, we explain the 5 main stages of IVF that are performed to help couples conceive a child.

What is IVF and Why Is It Performed?

As discussed, IVF is a simple process in which the sperm is met with an egg in a lab through the fertilisation process. After a few days, the mature embryo is then transferred to the woman’s uterus, where it grows into a baby.

Here are some reasons why it is performed:

• Fallopian tubes that are damaged or blocked
• Endometriosis
• Low sperm count or other problems with sperm
• Various ovarian disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Fibroids in the uterus
• Any hereditary illness or condition
• Infertility without a cause

What are the 5 Stages of the IVF Procedure?

The 5 stages of an IVF cycle involve:

1. Ovarian Stimulation

The first stage of IVF is about helping the woman’s body produce more eggs than usual. Normally, a woman’s body releases just one egg during her monthly cycle. But in IVF, doctors need more eggs to increase the chances of success.

At this stage:

• You’ll take hormone injections for about 8–14 days.
• These hormones stimulate your ovaries to develop multiple eggs.

During this time, you’ll have regular blood tests and ultrasound scans. These tests help the doctor check how your eggs are growing and adjust the medication if needed.

When the eggs are ready, the doctor schedules the next step.

2. Egg Retrieval

Once your eggs have matured, it’s time to collect them from your ovaries. This is called egg retrieval, and it is a minor procedure:

• You’ll be given a light sedative or anaesthesia so you don’t feel pain.
• Using a thin needle and ultrasound guidance, the doctor carefully collects the eggs from the ovaries.
• The whole procedure takes about 20–30 minutes.
• You can usually go home the same day after resting for a few hours.
3. At the same time, if you’re using your partner’s sperm, he will provide a semen sample. If donor sperm is being used, the clinic will prepare it in advance.
4. Fertilisation and Embryo Development

After the eggs and sperm are collected, the next stage happens in the lab. Here’s what happens:

• The eggs are placed in a dish with sperm so they can be fertilised.
• Sometimes, if sperm has trouble penetrating the egg, the doctor may inject a single sperm directly into the egg (a technique called ICSI).
• The fertilised eggs are monitored over the next few days as they divide and develop into embryos.
• Usually, this stage takes 3–5 days. During this time, the embryologists check which embryos are growing well and are healthy enough for transfer.
5. Embryo Transfer

Once the embryos are ready, one or sometimes more are placed into the woman’s uterus. This is called embryo transfer:

• It’s a simple, painless procedure that doesn’t require anaesthesia.
• A thin catheter is used to place the embryo(s) inside the uterus gently.
• It only takes a few minutes, and you can go home shortly after.

After the transfer, the embryo needs to attach itself to the lining of the uterus and continue to grow; this is called implantation.

6. Pregnancy Test and Follow-Up

The final stage of IVF is waiting to see if the treatment worked.

Around 10–14 days after the embryo transfer, you’ll have a blood test to check for pregnancy hormones. This test gives a clear result about whether the embryo has implanted successfully.

If the test is positive:

The clinic will guide you on the next steps and schedule an ultrasound after a few weeks to confirm the pregnancy and check the baby’s heartbeat.

If the test is negative:

• Your doctor will talk to you about the reasons it may not have worked and discuss whether to try another cycle.

How long does it take to complete the IVF process?

IVF is a multi-step and intricate procedure. The procedure should take four to six weeks on average to complete. This encompasses the time before egg retrieval, during which a person takes fertility drugs until they receive a pregnancy test.

If you visit the best IVF centre in Lucknow, you will get a comprehensive treatment with a personalised solution for your problem. The doctors at the Crysta IVF Lucknow centre are highly experienced and experts in the fertility field, providing patients with a personalised IVF treatment.




What to Expect During Pre-IVF Treatment?

Before undergoing IVF treatment, you will require fertility tests and a comprehensive medical examination. Additionally, your partner will also be evaluated and examined. Here are the diagnoses or tests that your doctor will perform before suggesting IVF treatment.

• Prepare yourself to meet with medical professionals to understand the IVF procedure.
• The doctor will suggest a mammography (if over 40), a current Pap test, and a uterine examination.
• Meanwhile, your partner will undergo semen analysis.
• Checking for infectious diseases and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• Blood and urine tests, as well as ovarian reserve testing.
• Screening for genetic carriers.
• Assessment of the uterine cavity using hysteroscopy.



What to Expect After IVF Treatment?

Following embryo transfer, you may experience the following mild symptoms:

• Mild cramps and bloating
• Breast soreness due to elevated oestrogen levels
• Blood spotting
• Constipation

Following their egg retrieval process, many patients immediately resume their regular activities. However, after receiving anaesthesia, you should refrain from driving for 24 hours. You will return to the fertility centre for a pregnancy test using a blood sample approximately nine to fourteen days following the embryo transfer.




To Sum Up

IVF is a step-by-step process that combines medical science and careful care. From stimulating your ovaries to transferring the embryo and waiting for pregnancy, each stage plays an important role.

Understanding these 5 stages: ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, fertilisation, embryo transfer, and pregnancy test, can help reduce anxiety and make the journey easier to handle.

While IVF can feel overwhelming at first, remember that your medical team is there to guide and support you at every step. If you have questions or feel unsure about any stage, don’t hesitate to connect with Crysta IVF to get all the answers you have been looking for.