What are the Stages of IVF?

IVF stages are standard in every IVF center and consist of 6 stages. This number may be given differently in each source, but the stages are standard.

IVF Stages

IVF stages step 1 – Egg Collection

The starting point of the IVF process is to retrieve eggs from the ovaries. This is done by administering FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) injections, which stimulate the development of several follicles (sacs in the ovaries that contain eggs). This process normally takes about two weeks. Once enough follicles have developed, the eggs are removed from the ovaries by passing a needle through the fluid-filled sacs that form the ovaries (follicles) and suctioning them out.

IVF Stages Step 2 – Sperm Preparation

While the eggs are being collected, the semen sample is also being prepared. There are different preparation methods that can be used depending on the nature of the semen sample, but the most common method is called density gradient preparation. The semen is added to a special culture tube that filters out sperm with poor motility. If the sperm count is not ideal, the sperm sample is spun to concentrate as many sperm as possible. These samples are then used to inseminate the eggs.

IVF Stages Step 3 – Fertilization

There are two different types of fertilization techniques. IVF standard insemination or ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection). IVF standard insemination is used in patients with normal sperm parameters and the scientist in the laboratory places the eggs and sperm in a dish and leaves it overnight in the laboratory so that fertilization can take place. If there are serious problems with the sperm or if IVF standard insemination has failed before, IVF can be combined with ICSI where the scientists inject a single sperm into each egg.

IVF Stages Step 4 – Fertilization

The morning after egg retrieval, specialists check the eggs for signs of fertilization. If normal fertilization occurs, the fertilized eggs are called "embryos" and are grown in the laboratory until they are ready to be placed back into the uterus.

IVF Stages Step 5 – Embryo Culture

Embryos can be grown in the lab for up to six days after hatching. They can be put back into the uterus at various stages, depending on what you and your doctor choose. Cleavage stage is the term for day two or day three embryo culture and transfer. This is useful for couples who have a low number of embryos (usually one or two) available for transfer. Expanded/blastocyst stage is the term for day four or day five embryo culture and transfer.

IVF Stages Step 6 – Embryo Transfer

On the day of the embryo transfer, specialists will evaluate your embryos and choose the most advanced transfer. The embryo is then loaded into a very soft thin plastic tube and placed back into the uterus. This procedure is very simple, very similar to a pap smear and does not require anesthesia. The embryos will then continue to grow in the uterus until implantation. It ends with a pregnancy test 12 days after the embryo transfer .