IVF Timeline: How Long Does IVF Take?

If you or your partner are struggling with fertility issues, your doctor may have spoken to you about in vitro fertilization (IVF). IVF is a medical procedure that can help you achieve pregnancy and build the family of your dreams.

Unless you are planning to use donor embryos (fertilized eggs), the IVF journey begins with stimulating your ovaries to produce multiple eggs. These eggs are then collected and fertilized with sperm in a lab, creating embryos.

The healthiest embryos are then placed into your uterus for implantation.

The entire IVF process can take several weeks and is essential for helping individuals overcome frustrating fertility challenges, supporting their path to parenthood.

Keep reading to explore typical IVF timelines for fresh and frozen cycles, the step-by-step journey, and what to expect along the way.

Fresh IVF Cycle Timeline

The fresh IVF process timeline begins with ovarian stimulation, followed by egg retrieval and fertilization.

Let’s break down the fresh IVF cycle step by step:

1. Initial consultation: If you’ve been trying to conceive for 12 consecutive months (or six months if you’re over 35), your doctor might refer you to a fertility specialist.
2. Ovarian Stimulation: You’ll take daily hormone injections for about 8-14 days to help multiple eggs mature.
3. Egg Retrieval: This is a short medical procedure to retrieve mature eggs from your ovaries.
4. Sperm Collection: Sperm from your partner or donor is collected and prepared for fertilization.
5. Fertilization: Eggs are manually fertilized with sperm in a lab.
6. Embryo development: Fertilized eggs develop into embryos over three to five days.
7. Embryo Transfer: One or two embryos are placed into your uterus using ultrasound guidance. The procedure is very similar to a Pap smear.
8. Pregnancy test: A blood test checks for pregnancy about 10-14 days later.

IVF Transfer Timeline

The embryo transfer typically happens three to five days after egg retrieval. This timing depends on how the embryos are developing.

IVF Implantation Timeline

Implantation occurs within a few days of the transfer, and a blood test checks for pregnancy 10-14 days later.

Fresh IVF Cycles Take 4-6 Weeks

IVF Frozen Embryo Transfer Timeline (FET)

The frozen IVF cycle timeline is shorter since it skips ovarian stimulation.

Instead, it involves thawing frozen embryos and transferring them to the uterus. Women who have previously frozen embryos or those using donor embryos will follow this timeline.

IVF FET Timeline

1. Preparation: You take hormone medications to prepare your uterine lining for about two to four weeks.
2. Thawing Embryos: Your embryos or donor embryos are carefully thawed in a lab, generally on the day of transfer.
3. Embryo Transfer: Thawed embryos are placed into the uterus.
4. Pregnancy Test: A blood test will check for pregnancy 10-14 days after the transfer.

Typical IVF Timeline for Frozen Cycles

Depending on individual protocols, FET usually takes two to three weeks from start to finish.

Frozen IVF Cycles Take 2-3 Weeks

Comparing Fresh and Frozen IVF Timelines

Several factors can influence the timeline for both fresh and frozen cycles, including hormone response, embryo quality, and individual treatment plans.

Here are the key differences:

• Fresh IVF cycles include stimulation, retrieval, fertilization, and transfer, taking between four to six weeks.
• Frozen IVF cycles focus on thawing and transfer, generally taking two to three weeks.

Illuminating Your Path to Parenthood With Safe, Effective IVF

If you are ready to take the next step in your fertility journey, please schedule a consultation with Pacific Reproductive Center. We are here to help you build the family of your dreams.