If you’re looking into IVF, it’s probably because you’ve been on quite the journey already. By now, you likely have a head full of questions: What happens during IVF? How long does IVF take? What can I expect at each stage? It’s completely normal to feel this way—it can all seem a bit much at first.
At Care Fertility, we’re here to make things easier to understand. IVF can sound complicated, but when you break it into steps, it feels much more manageable. This guide will walk you through the process, step by step, so you feel prepared and know what to expect.
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) is a fertility treatment where fertilisation happens outside of the body. It’s the most common form of fertility treatment and is used to treat couples or individuals when conceiving naturally isn’t possible either due to infertility or being a same-sex couple.
How long does IVF take?
A full IVF cycle typically takes around 6–8 weeks from your initial consultation to the pregnancy test. However, this can vary depending on your individual circumstances, so it’s always best to discuss timelines with your fertility doctor.
The IVF process
Step 1: Initial consultation and testing
Your IVF journey starts with an initial consultation with one of our fertility doctors. During this appointment, we’ll discuss your medical history, the results of your fertility tests, and your fertility goals. We may also recommend further tests to get a clearer understanding of your reproductive health. This stage is all about gathering information so we can create a treatment plan tailored to you.
After the consultation you will receive a fully costed treatment plan.
Step 2: Preparing for treatment
Once your treatment plan is in place, we’ll help you prepare for the next stage. If you are planning to carry the pregnancy, this will likely involve taking medications to regulate your cycle and stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple eggs ready for collection. These medications typically include:
- Medications to regulate your cycle so that we can start stimulating the ovaries at the correct time
- Hormone injections to encourage the growth of multiple eggs.
- Medications to prevent premature ovulation, ensuring the eggs remain in the ovaries until they’re ready for collection.
This preparation stage usually lasts a few weeks. We’ll guide you through everything, so you know exactly what to do.
Step 3: Monitoring your progress
While you’re taking the medications, we’ll monitor how your body is responding through one or two ultrasound scans and perhaps some blood tests as and when required.
Step 4: Egg collection
When your follicles are ready, it’s time for egg collection. This is a minor procedure done under light sedation, so you’ll be comfortable throughout. A fine needle is used to retrieve the eggs from your ovaries.
Most people feel well enough to go home the same day, though you might experience mild cramping or bloating for a short time.
Step 5: Fertilisation
Once your eggs are collected, the next step takes place in our lab. The eggs are placed together with sperm to facilitate fertilisation. Depending on your circumstances, we’ll use one of the following methods:
- Standard IVF: Eggs and sperm are placed together in a dish to allow a sperm to fertilise each of the eggs overnight.
- ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection): A single sperm is injected directly into each egg , this treatment is often used where there’s male-factor infertility.
After fertilisation, we’ll carefully monitor the embryos as they develop.
Step 6: Embryo transfer
A few days after fertilisation (typically four to five days), the best-quality embryo is transferred to your uterus. This is a simple procedure that doesn’t require sedation.
A thin catheter is used to place the embryo into your uterus. It’s quick and generally painless, similar to a smear test. After the transfer, it’s all about giving your body time to do its thing.
Step 7: The two-week wait
The two-week wait is often described as the hardest part of the process. Once the embryo transfer is complete, there’s nothing more to do but wait for the next step. During this time, it’s important to look after yourself, both physically and emotionally.
Some people find this waiting period quite challenging, and that’s completely normal. You might feel a mix of emotions—hopeful one moment, anxious the next. Try to focus on self-care: light walks, relaxing activities, and leaning on your support network.
We’ll give you advice on what to do during this time and reassure you that it’s okay to reach out if you have any questions or need extra support.
Step 8: Pregnancy test and confirmation scan
Around two weeks after your embryo transfer, it’s time to take a pregnancy test at home. This is a big moment, and it’s natural to feel nervous. If the result is positive, we’ll invite you back to the clinic a few weeks later for a scan to confirm the pregnancy and check how everything is progressing.
If the test doesn’t show the result you were hoping for, we’ll be here to support you and talk through your options for next steps.
Starting IVF is a big step, and it’s natural to have lots of questions along the way. Every journey is unique, and we’re here to make sure you feel supported at every stage.
If you’d like to chat with one of our friendly experts about IVF or find out more about starting treatment, give us a call on 0800 564 2270 or email enquiriesteam@carefertility.com.
Or we hold regular Introduction to IVF events hosted by our expert doctors. You can view all of our upcoming, free events by clicking here.
