Health & Wellness

Preparing for IVF Treatment

Prepare for an IVF cycle physically, emotionally, and financially. Covers choosing a fertility clinic, understanding the IVF timeline, medication protocols, egg retrieval, embryo transfer, and the two-week wait.

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Last updated: February 24, 2026

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Estimated time: 3-6 months per cycle

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Before Starting IVF

Choose a fertility clinic based on success rates, location, and cost

Compare clinics using the CDC's IVF Success Rates Report (cdc.gov/art) which publishes clinic-specific data. Key metrics: live birth rate per transfer (not just pregnancy rate), for your age group. Average live birth rates: 40-50% per transfer for women under 35, 25-35% for ages 35-37, 15-25% for ages 38-40. Schedule consultations at 2-3 clinics. Ask about their approach to stimulation protocols, genetic testing, and frozen vs. fresh transfers.

Complete all required diagnostic testing

Standard pre-IVF testing includes: blood work (AMH, FSH, estradiol, thyroid, prolactin, infectious disease screening for both partners), semen analysis (for male partner), uterine evaluation (hysterosalpingogram or saline sonogram to check for polyps, fibroids, or structural issues), and antral follicle count (AFC) via ultrasound. These results determine your stimulation protocol and provide a realistic success estimate. Testing takes 2-4 weeks to complete.

Understand the financial costs and your insurance coverage

A single IVF cycle costs 12,000-25,000 USD including medications (3,000-6,000 USD), monitoring (2,000-4,000 USD), egg retrieval (5,000-8,000 USD), embryo transfer (3,000-5,000 USD), and anesthesia (500-1,000 USD). Genetic testing (PGT-A) adds 3,000-6,000 USD. Check your insurance: 20 states mandate some fertility coverage. Ask your clinic about multi-cycle discount packages, financing (Prosper Healthcare Lending, CapexMD), and medication assistance programs from drug manufacturers.

Optimize your health in the 2-3 months before starting

Start a prenatal vitamin with at least 400 mcg folic acid. Limit alcohol (ideally stop completely), stop smoking, reduce caffeine to under 200 mg per day (one 12-ounce coffee). Maintain a healthy BMI if possible (BMI 20-30 optimizes IVF outcomes). Exercise moderately (30 minutes, 5 days per week). Prioritize 7-9 hours of sleep. CoQ10 supplementation (400-600 mg daily) may improve egg quality, particularly for women over 35.

The IVF Cycle Timeline

Begin ovarian stimulation with injectable medications (Days 1-10)

Starting on cycle day 2-3, you inject gonadotropins (Gonal-F, Follistim, Menopur) daily to stimulate multiple follicles to grow. Injections are subcutaneous (tiny needle into belly fat), administered at the same time each evening. Most women produce 8-15 follicles. You attend monitoring appointments every 2-3 days (blood work and ultrasound) so the doctor can adjust medication doses. Stimulation typically lasts 8-12 days.

Trigger shot: precisely timed injection 36 hours before retrieval

When follicles reach 18-20mm, you take the trigger shot (hCG or Lupron trigger) at the exact time specified by your clinic (often 10 PM or midnight). This injection triggers final egg maturation. Timing is critical: the retrieval is scheduled exactly 36 hours later. Set multiple alarms. If you miss the trigger shot window, the retrieval may be canceled. Have the injection prepared and ready well before the designated time.

Egg retrieval: a 15-20 minute procedure under sedation

Egg retrieval is performed at the clinic under IV sedation (you are asleep and feel nothing). A needle guided by ultrasound aspirates fluid from each follicle to collect eggs. The procedure takes 15-20 minutes. You wake up in recovery and go home within 1-2 hours. Take the rest of the day off. Mild cramping, bloating, and spotting are normal for 3-5 days. Avoid strenuous activity for 1 week. Your partner provides a semen sample the same day (or frozen sperm is thawed).

Wait for the fertilization and embryo development report

The lab fertilizes eggs with sperm on retrieval day (conventional IVF or ICSI). Day 1: the lab reports how many eggs fertilized (typically 60-80% of mature eggs). Day 3: the lab may provide an update on embryo cell division. Day 5-6: embryos that reach blastocyst stage are either transferred or biopsied for genetic testing and frozen. Not all fertilized eggs become blastocysts (typically 30-50% do). These daily updates are emotionally intense.

Embryo Transfer

Prepare for a fresh or frozen embryo transfer

A fresh transfer happens 3-5 days after retrieval. A frozen transfer (FET) happens in a subsequent cycle (1-3 months later) after your body recovers. FET rates now equal or exceed fresh transfer rates at most clinics. If doing PGT-A genetic testing, a frozen transfer is required (results take 1-2 weeks). Your doctor recommends the approach based on your hormone levels, embryo quality, and clinic protocol.

The transfer itself: a painless 5-10 minute procedure

Embryo transfer is performed without sedation (similar to a Pap smear). A thin catheter guided by ultrasound deposits the embryo into the uterus. You can watch on the ultrasound screen. There is no pain, though a full bladder is required for ultrasound visibility (drink 32 ounces of water 1 hour before). Rest for 15-30 minutes at the clinic, then go home. Most clinics transfer one embryo (single embryo transfer) to reduce twin pregnancy risks.

The Two-Week Wait

Follow your medication protocol exactly during the two-week wait

Continue progesterone supplementation (vaginal suppositories, injections, or oral) as prescribed. Progesterone supports the uterine lining for implantation. Do not stop medications without your doctor's instruction, even if you get a negative home pregnancy test. Continue prenatal vitamins. Avoid hot tubs, heavy exercise, and alcohol. Normal activities (walking, work, light housework) are fine and encouraged.

Manage the emotional difficulty of waiting for results

The two-week wait between transfer and pregnancy test is one of the most emotionally challenging parts of IVF. Every physical sensation is analyzed for pregnancy signs. Strategies: stay busy with enjoyable activities, limit googling symptoms (symptom-searching increases anxiety without providing answers), lean on your support system, and consider joining an IVF community (r/IVF on Reddit, Fertility Network forums). Some patients benefit from therapy or counseling during this period.

Take the beta hCG blood test on the date your clinic specifies

Approximately 9-14 days after transfer, your clinic schedules a beta hCG blood test to confirm pregnancy. A level above 50-100 mIU/mL generally indicates a positive result. A second test 48 hours later confirms the pregnancy is progressing (the level should roughly double). Home pregnancy tests can give false negatives early, so rely on the blood test. If the result is negative, your clinic will discuss next steps, including timeline for another cycle if desired. This guide is informational only, not medical advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does one IVF cycle cost?

A single IVF cycle costs 12,000-25,000 USD including medications (3,000-6,000 USD), monitoring, retrieval, and transfer. PGT-A genetic testing adds 3,000-6,000 USD. Frozen embryo transfers in subsequent cycles cost 3,000-5,000 USD. Twenty states have some form of fertility insurance mandate. Multi-cycle packages (2-3 cycles bundled) offer discounts of 10-20%. Financing options include Prosper Healthcare Lending, CapexMD, and clinic payment plans.

How many IVF cycles does it take to get pregnant?

Success rates per cycle: 40-50% for women under 35, 25-35% for ages 35-37, 15-25% for ages 38-40, and 5-15% for ages 41-42. Cumulative success rates increase with multiple cycles: after 3 cycles, 60-80% of women under 38 achieve a live birth. Most fertility specialists recommend trying 3-4 cycles before considering alternatives. PGT-A tested embryos have higher per-transfer success rates (55-65%) because chromosomally abnormal embryos are excluded.

Is IVF painful?

The daily injections cause minor discomfort (subcutaneous needles are very thin). Bloating and mild pelvic discomfort are common during stimulation as ovaries enlarge. Egg retrieval is performed under sedation (you sleep through it) with mild cramping for 1-3 days afterward. Embryo transfer is painless (no sedation needed). The most difficult aspect for most patients is the emotional and psychological toll, not the physical procedures. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a rare but more serious complication occurring in 1-5% of cycles.

What can I do to improve my IVF success rate?

Evidence-based improvements: maintain a healthy BMI (20-30), take prenatal vitamins with folic acid for 3+ months before starting, stop smoking and limit alcohol, exercise moderately (not excessively), sleep 7-9 hours per night, manage stress through therapy, meditation, or support groups, and follow your medication protocol exactly. CoQ10 (400-600 mg daily) and DHEA (for low ovarian reserve, only with doctor supervision) may improve egg quality. Acupuncture has mixed evidence but some patients report benefit.