How Long Does IVF Take from Start to Finish?

In Vitro fertilization (IVF) is a sophisticated scientific process that can help people (who couldn’t conceive naturally) get pregnant. As magical as it may seem, IVF doesn’t take place overnight. It can take 4-6 weeks and longer for women to complete a single IVF cycle. Even then, there’s no guarantee you will conceive in the first attempt.

A common question that women considering this advanced fertility treatment ask is, “How long does IVF take, and how soon can I become pregnant?” In this post, we’ve explained the IVF timeline in Pakistan so you can set realistic goals for pregnancy. Let’s get started.

How Long Does IVF Take?

Every woman’s IVF journey is unique. The timeline varies depending on your health, age, cause of infertility, and the protocols used. As mentioned above, you can expect the procedure to last 6 weeks, but that’s only an estimated time.

Understanding the steps involved in IVF can help you get a better idea. Before that, let’s take a look at the factors influencing the IVF process duration.

• Age: Women under 35 have a higher success rate of IVF compared to those above that. This means there’s a low chance they will need to go through another cycle of IVF or more hormonal medication for a successful pregnancy. Hence, a lower age means a shorter timeline for IVF.
• Ovarian Health: Your ovarian health, reserve, and egg quality can significantly affect your chances of conception from IVF, as well as the length of the IVF cycle. If you have a low ovarian reserve, you have fewer potential eggs that can be fertilized. Likewise, if you have poor egg quality, it may take more than one attempt for the IVF to result in a successful fertilization and implantation.
• Ovarian Response: How your ovaries respond to the ovarian stimulation medication also plays a part in determining the IVF cycle’s length. If your ovaries do not produce enough follicles, your doctor may recommend cancelling the procedure and rescheduling it to some other date. 

Detailed IVF Timeline Breakdown

There’s a specific structure for an IVF cycle, which remains the same for almost every woman. However, no two experiences are similar. Here’s a clear breakdown of the steps of IVF, the number of days each step takes, and what happens in these stages.

Initial Consultation and Testing (1–2 weeks)

The first step is an initial consultation with a fertility specialist. The doctor will carefully evaluate your reproductive health and run tests to figure out the root cause of your infertility. This includes AMH tests, blood tests, ultrasounds, pap smears, etc. Your partner might also go through semen analysis and other tests to rule out male-factor infertility. Depending on the number of tests your doctor orders, it can take from a week to a month. 

Ovarian Stimulation (10–14 days)

Once you have gone through tests, your doctor will prescribe ovarian stimulation medication, which starts on the second or third day of your period. This will trigger your ovaries to release multiple eggs into the fallopian tubes. 

You will get hormone injections every day for the next 10-14 days. You will be asked to visit the clinic frequently for ultrasounds. This detects your follicular growth. Once the follicles have reached an optimal size, a final maturation injection will be administered. It will release the egg.

Egg Retrieval (1 day)

Within 36 hours of injecting medication to release eggs, your doctor will perform egg retrieval. It’s performed under anesthesia and takes about 10-30 minutes, depending on the number of follicles. 

Using an ultrasound guide, the mature eggs are aspirated and sent to the lab experts. The embryologist separates the egg from the fluid and keeps it in an incubator. Around the same time, your partner is asked to submit the semen sample, which can be collected at home or in the clinic.

The procedure takes no longer than a day. You will be shifted to a recovery room and given a discharge the same day.

Fertilization and Embryo Culture (3–5 days)

The sperm is placed with the egg in a Petri dish. Depending on your partner’s sperm health and semen analysis report, the embryologist will either follow traditional insemination or opt for Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). It’s a medical procedure that involves manual fusion of sperm and eggs.

Fertilization occurs overnight, and the embryos start to divide. They keep growing over the next few days. During this time, the embryologist monitors them closely and selects the healthiest embryo for transfer. Once the embryos have reached the blastocyst stage, they are ready to be transferred to the woman’s uterus. This stage takes 3-5 days.

Embryo Transfer (Day 3 or Day 5)

On the fifth day, the embryo will be transferred to the woman’s uterus using a thin catheter. It’s a painless procedure and is done without anesthesia. You must rest and avoid strenuous physical activities for the first few weeks. Your fertility specialist will also start progesterone supplements to prepare your uterine lining for implantation. 

The transfer can be done on the third or fifth day. If you want to freeze your eggs for later use, your job is done here. The embryo will be cryopreserved, and your doctor will resume the remaining steps once you are ready for conception.

The Two-Week Wait (10–14 days)

After embryo transfer, you need to wait for two weeks. The hormone supplements will continue, and you can take a home pregnancy test in 10-14 days. Avoid taking the test too early, as the ongoing medication can generate a false positive. Your doctor will also schedule a blood test two weeks after the transfer. 

Wait for pregnancy symptoms like nausea, implantation bleeding, mild cramps, and fatigue. If your pregnancy test is positive, follow your doctor’s instructions on pregnancy care. They will order ultrasounds to monitor the baby’s growth.

Optional Add-Ons That May Extend the Timeline

That was the general IVF timeline in Pakistan. Some couples may have to wait a little extra if they choose additional procedures. Here’s what can add to the total time of an IVF cycle.

Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) Cycle 

As mentioned earlier, if you choose not to have implantation right away and rather freeze the embryos for future use, your waiting period will be much longer than a woman who prefers the fresh embryo transfer. If the fresh embryo transfer is postponed for some reason, you can have the frozen embryo transfer in the subsequent month. Rest assured that frozen embryo transfer is safe and as viable as fresh embryo transfer. 

PGD/PGS Testing

Couples who choose Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS) might have a longer IVF cycle, as the test can take a week or longer. PGS screens the embryo for genetic disorders that run in their families. The procedure selects the healthiest embryo with the highest chances of survival in the womb.

Multiple IVF Cycles

If you are lucky, you might get pregnant in the first IVF cycle. But if the results aren’t positive, know that you are not alone. IVF’s success rate is around 40%, which means many women experience failure. That said, many go on to achieve pregnancy in subsequent cycles. 

The only downside to this is the extended timeline. If, for some reason, you couldn’t conceive in the first cycle, you can undergo the entire cycle again. Some women reserve a few eggs just in case the first IVF cycle fails. They use these eggs for the subsequent cycles to shorten the IVF process duration.

Delays due to Medical Issues

Women with PCOS, thyroid disorders, and hormonal imbalances might have a delayed IVF journey. Your fertility specialist will pause the treatment until your hormones are regulated. Likewise, uterine polyps, fibroids, septum, and adenomyosis might delay your IVF. If the cyst forms in your ovaries due to hormonal stimulation medication, your doctor will pause IVF until it dissolves.

How the Australian Concept Helps Streamline the Process 

At Australian Concept Infertility Medical Center, your comfort and health matter the most to us. We value your desire to become parents and put in our best efforts to make that happen. One of our biggest USPs is our in-house diagnostic team, which can run all the recommended tests and generate results in the shortest timeframe possible. This eradicates the need to visit multiple places for tests.

Rest assured that our fertility specialist will help you through every stage of your IVF journey. Not just with conception, but they are available for your emotional issues as well. They provide thorough support during your IVF journey, ensuring that you don’t feel overwhelmed by all the tests, procedures, and medication. 

We have over 15+ branches across Pakistan and a team of internationally certified experts with many years of experience. Having successfully delivered thousands of babies through IVF, we are confident about our approach. Our centers in Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi have state-of-the-art technology and are open 7 days a week for premium support.

FAQs 

Can I work during the IVF process?

Yes, unless your fertility specialist says otherwise. If you are overall healthy and prepared to conceive, you can work during IVF. 

Does IVF take longer if I’m over 35?

There’s a possibility it might last longer, as you may undergo several tests before the procedure begins. Advanced maternal age can also negatively affect IVF success. You may need to undergo multiple cycles.

What if my first cycle doesn’t work?

It’s possible and more likely if you are above 35 and have a complex cause of infertility. There’s still a chance you will conceive in another IVF cycle. Trust your body and let the experts handle the rest.

Conclusion 

The IVF journey is never easy. The physical change, emotional exhaustion, and waiting period can be too much to handle. However, with the right fertility specialist on your side, it can be a lot more comfortable and smooth. They will explain every step of IVF in simple terms. 

If you ever need help with conception or want to discuss fertility options with a professional, feel free to contact Australian Concept. We offer our patients a free first consultation, making it easier for them to decide whether to proceed with our services. Book the free consultation at acimc.org, and let us know how we can help.