Starting IVF is a big step, and it is natural to feel nervous. Knowing what happens at each stage makes the journey far less stressful. Here is how a typical IVF cycle works at Meenakshi Fertility Centre.
Step 1: Consultation and tests
Your journey begins with a detailed consultation with both partners. We review your history and arrange simple tests, such as hormone blood tests (including AMH), a pelvic ultrasound and a semen analysis. These results help us design a plan that suits you.
Step 2: Ovarian stimulation
For about 10 to 12 days you take daily hormone injections. These help your ovaries develop several eggs instead of the single egg of a natural cycle. Most women learn to take the injections at home with a little guidance from our nurses.
Step 3: Monitoring scans
During stimulation you visit us for regular ultrasound scans and, sometimes, blood tests. These show how the follicles are growing so we can adjust the dose and choose the right day for egg collection.
Step 4: Trigger injection and egg collection
When the follicles are ready, a final "trigger" injection matures the eggs. About 34 to 36 hours later, the eggs are collected through a fine needle under ultrasound guidance. This takes around 20 minutes under short anaesthesia and you go home the same day.
Step 5: Fertilisation in the lab
On the same day, the eggs are combined with the husband's prepared sperm. If sperm quality is low, our embryologists use ICSI, injecting a single sperm into each egg. The embryos then grow in incubators for 3 to 5 days, often to the blastocyst stage.
Step 6: Embryo transfer
The best-quality embryo is gently placed in the uterus using a soft, thin catheter. It is painless and feels similar to a routine smear test. Good surplus embryos can be frozen for future use.
Step 7: The pregnancy test
About two weeks after the transfer, a blood test (beta hCG) tells us whether you are pregnant. This wait can feel long, so lean on your partner and our team for support.
How long does the whole cycle take?
From the start of injections to the pregnancy test, a cycle takes around 4 to 6 weeks. Our Two Cycle Program gives you a second chance without extra procedural charges if the first cycle does not succeed.
If you are considering IVF, book a consultation with our team. We will explain every step and answer all your questions. Learn more on our IVF treatment in Chennai page.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult our specialists for guidance about your own health.
