IVF Process
We describe an IVF ‘cycle’ as one round of IVF treatment. The cycle starts on Day 1 of your period and ends with your pregnancy blood test.
Depending on your treatment plan, your fertility specialist may recommend that you start medication or injections before the first day of your cycle. Rest assured - we’ll let you know the plan well in advance.
Your step-by-step guide to an IVF cycle
Step 1: Day 1 of your period
Let’s get started! The first official day of your IVF treatment cycle is Day 1 of your period. Everyone’s body is different; your fertility nurse will help you understand how to identify Day 1.
Step 2: Stimulating your ovaries
The stimulation phase begins on Day 1. In a natural monthly cycle, your ovaries would normally produce one egg. With an IVF cycle, you’ll take medication for eight to 14 days to encourage the follicles in your ovaries (where the eggs grow) to produce more eggs.
Step 3: Egg retrieval
The egg retrieval - also known as the egg ‘pick up’ (EPU) - is a hospital day procedure where your fertility specialist collects the eggs from your ovaries. An anaesthetist will give you a general anaesthetic so that you’re asleep for the procedure, which takes about 20-30 minutes.
Step 4: The sperm
If you’re a couple planning on using fresh sperm, the male will produce a sample the morning of the egg retrieval. If you are using frozen or donor sperm our scientists will have it ready in the lab.
Step 5: Fertilisation
Your fertility specialist gives our scientists the eggs they’ve retrieved from your ovaries. The eggs are contained in tubes of follicular fluid taken from your ovaries. Our scientists use powerful microscopes to find the eggs in the fluid so that they can remove them.
Step 6: Embryo development
Ideally, after combining a sperm with the egg, approximately17 hours later it will fertilise and begin forming an embryo. Our scientists will culture the developing embryo(s) in a special incubator, where the conditions for growth and development.
Step 7: Embryo transfer
If your embryo develops in the lab, the next step is to transfer it into your uterus in a simple procedure known as an ‘embryo transfer’.
Step 8: The pregnancy blood test
Approximately two weeks after your embryo transfer, you’ll have a blood test to measure your levels of the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin).
Quick Enquiry
Sunshine IVF centre is a speciality fertility clinic established to provide state-of-the- art facility for assisted reproduction for couples having problems in having a baby.
