IVF Treatment Step by Step: What to Expect Each Stage
Expert Reproductive Medicine & Infertility (IVF / IUI) care at KBR Life Care Hospitals, Sangareddy
IVF Treatment Step by Step: What to Expect Each Stage
IVF treatment involves several distinct stages spread over approximately 4 to 6 weeks. Each stage requires specific medication, monitoring, or a procedure. Understanding what happens at each step, and why, helps couples approach IVF with greater confidence and less anxiety about the unknown.
At KBR Life Care Hospitals, Sangareddy, patients starting IVF receive a detailed treatment calendar before the cycle begins. This calendar outlines every scan appointment, medication change, and milestone. Our team is available to answer questions at every stage, because a patient who understands their treatment is better equipped to manage the process.
IVF is emotionally as well as physically demanding. The combination of hormonal medications, daily injections, multiple clinic visits, and the uncertainty of outcome creates a significant psychological load. We acknowledge this honestly and provide support through each phase.
Types & Causes
Long Protocol (Downregulation)
Begins with GnRH agonist injections to suppress natural hormones before stimulation; offers greater control of the cycle
Antagonist Protocol
Stimulation starts directly without prior downregulation; GnRH antagonist injections prevent premature ovulation during stimulation
Minimal Stimulation IVF
Uses lower doses of stimulation drugs; fewer eggs retrieved but lower risk and lower cost; suitable for specific patients
Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) Cycle
Transfer of a previously frozen embryo into a prepared uterus; no egg retrieval required; often used in a subsequent cycle
Symptoms to Watch For
Bloating and pelvic fullness during ovarian stimulation, increasing as follicles grow
Injection-site bruising or tenderness from daily gonadotrophin injections
Mood fluctuations linked to hormonal changes during stimulation
Mild pelvic discomfort and light spotting in the 24 to 48 hours after egg retrieval
Breast tenderness and bloating from progesterone supplementation in the luteal phase
Anxiety and emotional volatility during the two-week wait before the pregnancy test
When to See a Doctor
- Severe or rapidly worsening abdominal bloating during stimulation (possible OHSS, contact clinic same day)
- Fever, unusual discharge, or heavy bleeding after egg retrieval
- Symptoms of OHSS after egg retrieval: rapid weight gain, severe abdominal pain, reduced urination
- Positive pregnancy test, to arrange beta-hCG confirmation and early viability scan
- Failed cycle, to book a review appointment to discuss results and plan the next step
How We Diagnose
- Baseline scan on Day 2 to 3 of the period to confirm readiness to start stimulation
- Follicle tracking scans every 2 to 3 days during stimulation to assess follicle size and number
- Estradiol and LH blood tests at key points during monitoring
- Trigger timing determined when at least 3 follicles reach 17 to 18 mm in diameter
Our Treatment Approach
- Phase 1 - Stimulation (days 2 to 14): daily gonadotrophin injections at home; dose adjusted based on scan results
- Phase 2 - Trigger: hCG or GnRH agonist trigger injection given when follicles are mature; egg retrieval scheduled exactly 36 hours later
- Phase 3 - Egg retrieval: brief transvaginal procedure under sedation; eggs collected from follicles under ultrasound guidance; partner produces semen sample on same day
- Phase 4 - Laboratory (days 1 to 5 after retrieval): fertilisation check on day 1; embryo development monitored; blastocyst stage reached by day 5
- Phase 5 - Transfer: one or two embryos selected and transferred into the uterus via soft catheter; remaining good-quality embryos frozen
- Phase 6 - Luteal support and test: progesterone supplementation continued; blood beta-hCG test on day 14 after transfer
Why Choose KBR Life Care Hospitals?
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about this specialty
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