Think of IVF as a way to help nature along. “In vitro” simply means “outside body” or in a laboratory. In short, we take eggs from the ovaries and mix them with sperm or inject the sperm in eggs (ICSI) in our lab to create embryos. We then place the healthiest embryo back into your uterus when it is ready for its acceptance.
Before we begin the actual IVF cycle, we need to understand your unique reproductive health. This preparation stage ensures we customise the treatment plan specifically for you.
Like plants, always good preparation of land before sowing the seeds gives the best yield, this phase is also very crucial.
Ovarian reserve testing
It is done by simple blood tests and pelvic ultrasound on day 2 or 3 of menses.
Semen analysis
We test a semen sample to check the count, shape, and movement of the sperm. You can see the them on screen.
Uterine exam
We examine the inside of your uterus using an ultrasound or a small 4 mm hysteroscope to ensure, the inner lining is safe to welcome an embryo.
Lifestyle modifications
We will ask you to start taking prenatal vitamins, maintain a balanced diet, avoid alcohol, and stop smoking.
In a natural monthly cycle, your body usually matures just one or two eggs. For IVF, we want to grow multiple eggs at once to increase your chances of success.
Hormone injections
You can take these yourself, under the skin of your belly or thigh to encourage your ovaries to grow multiple egg follicles.
Regular monitoring
You will visit our clinic 2/3 times to monitor the progress. Along with blood tests and ultrasounds we will be able to watch the follicles grow and adjust your medication doses safely.
The trigger shot
Once the follicles reach the ideal size, you will take one final, precisely timed injection referred as “trigger shot” which will bring the eggs to full maturity, ready for collection.
No need of daily visits to clinic.
The egg retrieval is a minor surgical procedure performed at our clinic. It takes about 20 minutes, and you will not feel any pain during the process as it is done under a light anaesthetic or sedative so that you are completely asleep and comfortable.
Ultrasound guidance
I will insert a thin ultrasound probe into the vagina to clearly see your ovaries and the mature follicles.
Gentle suction
Using a very fine, specialized needle attached to the ultrasound probe, I gently draw the fluid—and the egg inside it—out of each follicle.
Recovery
You will rest for an hour or two and will be discharged same day.
While you are resting from your retrieval, our embryologist takes over the next steps. This is where the magic happens behind the scenes over the next 3 to 6 days.
IVF with conventional insemination
We place thousands of healthy sperm in a dish alongside the retrieved eggs and let them fertilise naturally.
ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection)
If the sperm count is low or weak, our embryologist will use a tiny needle to inject a single, healthy sperm directly into each mature egg to help it fertilise.
The incubation phase
The fertilised eggs become embryos. We place them in advanced incubators that mimic the warmth and environment of a human body, monitoring their growth as they divide into multiple cells.
The embryo transfer is the simplest and most exciting part of the medical process.
Selecting the best embryo
Together, we will choose 1 or 2 healthiest embryos to transfer. Remaining high-quality embryos can be frozen for your future use.
The procedure
Under abdominal ultrasound guidance, embryo/s will be transferred using a very soft, smallest catheter. You can witness this live on screen.
Immediate return to routine
The transfer takes less than 10 minutes. You can get up right away, walk around, and go home to rest. You do not need strict bed rest, but we recommend avoiding heavy lifting or intense workouts and lumpy bumpy journey.
The final phase requires the most patience. Correct and timely usage of progesterone medications along with other supportive medicines help embryo implant into the uterine lining naturally.
Managing anxiety
This waiting period can feel emotionally difficult. We encourage you to focus on light activities, stay connected with loved ones. Surrender to Supreme Nature and pamper yourself; this will help you to fulfil your dream of parenthood.
The official pregnancy test
In case of day 3 embryo transfer, the hormone HCG is measured in blood to confirm the pregnancy 16 days after the transfer. While, 14 days after in case of day 5 transfer.
Emotional support and next steps
IVF is a physical journey, but it is also an emotional rollercoaster. Our entire clinical team, including our dedicated nursing staff and counsellors, are here to support you through every single step, question, and milestone.
If you are ready to begin, our next step is to schedule your initial consultation and baseline blood tests. Let's take this journey together, one step at a time.
