Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) in the United States offers access to cutting-edge reproductive technologies, highly trained medical professionals, and individualized care. Below is a step-by-step guide outlining the standard IVF process in the U.S. for international patients.
🔍 Step 1: Initial Remote Consultation & Medical Evaluation
Format: Video or phone consultation via Zoom, WhatsApp, etc.
Who it’s for: Overseas patients preparing to travel to the U.S.
What to prepare:
- Recent hormone test results (e.g., AMH, FSH, LH, E2)
- Pelvic ultrasound scans
- Menstrual cycle history
- Previous fertility treatment records or surgery notes
After reviewing your information, the fertility specialist will assess whether you are a suitable candidate for IVF and propose a preliminary treatment plan and timeline.
💉 Step 2: Ovarian Stimulation
Duration: Approximately 10–14 days
The goal is to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple mature follicles (eggs). This is done using personalized doses of hormone injections.
Common medications:
- FSH (e.g., Gonal-F, Follistim)
- LH or hMG (e.g., Menopur)
- GnRH antagonist (e.g., Cetrotide, Ganirelix)
- Trigger shot (e.g., hCG or Lupron) to mature eggs before retrieval
Monitoring:
Ultrasounds and blood tests are done every 2–3 days to track follicle growth and hormone levels. Your doctor will adjust the medication dosage accordingly.
🥚 Step 3: Egg Retrieval & Sperm Collection
Timing: About 34–36 hours after the trigger shot
- Performed under light intravenous sedation (not general anesthesia)
- A needle guided by ultrasound collects eggs from the ovaries
- The male partner provides a sperm sample the same day, or frozen sperm is used if previously stored
- Retrieved eggs are immediately transferred to the lab for fertilization
🔬 Step 4: Fertilization & Embryo Culture
Fertilization Methods:
- Conventional IVF: Eggs and sperm are combined naturally in a petri dish
- ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection): A single sperm is injected into each egg (commonly used when sperm quality is an issue)
Embryo Development:
- Fertilization is checked after 1 day
- Embryos are cultured to Day 5–6 to reach the blastocyst stage
- Embryologists monitor growth and grade embryos for quality
🧪 Step 5: Genetic Testing (Optional)
If needed, embryos may undergo:
- PGT-A (Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy): Screens for chromosomal abnormalities
- PGT-M: Screens for specific inherited genetic conditions
Embryos that undergo testing are frozen while waiting for results.
🌱 Step 6: Embryo Transfer
Depending on your condition and doctor’s advice, you can opt for:
- Fresh Transfer (within the same cycle), or
- Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) after endometrial preparation
Uterine Preparation:
- Use of estrogen and progesterone (oral, patch, injection, or vaginal gel) to prepare the endometrial lining
- Regular monitoring until the lining reaches optimal thickness
Transfer Process:
- A thin catheter places one embryo into the uterus under ultrasound guidance
- No anesthesia is needed
- The process takes 5–10 minutes, followed by short rest
🤰 Step 7: Luteal Support & Pregnancy Test
- Hormonal medications (mainly progesterone) are continued to support the uterine lining
- A blood pregnancy test (HCG) is performed 10–12 days after the embryo transfer
- If pregnant, hormone support continues for several weeks under monitoring
🧭 Suggested Timeline Overview
| IVF Phase | Estimated Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Remote Consultation | 1 week | Via phone or video call |
| Ovarian Stimulation | 10–14 days | Includes frequent monitoring |
| Egg Retrieval + Fertilization | 1 day | Outpatient procedure |
| Embryo Culture + Testing | 5–7 days | Optional PGT adds time |
| Uterine Preparation + Transfer | 7–10 days | Depends on transfer type |
| Pregnancy Test | Day 10–12 post-transfer | Blood test required |