Basic Overview of IVF

Here is a basic overview of how a cycle of IVF (in vitro fertilization) goes. It's actually 2 menstrual cycles long.

• Cycle 1 consists of suppression of the ovaries and preparation for the actual IVF process. Generally this involves ovarian suppression drugs (sometimes birth control pills, sometimes lupron which causes a kind of menopause). Antibiotics are also recommended to clear out any possible infections in both the man and woman.
• Cycle 2 is where the real action happens. First 2 weeks are ovarian stimulant drugs, which require ultrasound and blood test monitoring every few days. The doctor checks for follicle growth and adjusts the medications accordingly. It's a tight balance between getting lots of eggs and overstimulating (causing serious side effects).
• When the follicles are mature, an injection of hcg (pregnancy hormone) is given which matures the eggs (and causes ovulation if no action is taken). Exactly 36 hours after the hcg, the eggs are retrieved through a surgical office procedure.
• Then the eggs are mixed in a dish with sperm and hopefully fertilize.
• The woman starts and pregnancy support drugs (progesterone and others).
• 2-6 days later, the embryos are transferred back into the woman (painless office procedure). My doctor advises 2 days of "lounge rest" (laying on the couch) after transfer.
• About 10 days later, a blood pregnancy test is done. If it's positive, the pregnancy support drugs are continued until 12 weeks of pregnancy.