Ovarian stimulation is the first step in an IVF cycle. It involves a series of daily follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) injections self-administered at home from Day 2 or 3 of your menstrual cycle. This medication is used to stimulate the ovaries to encourage the growth of multiple follicles containing eggs.

Your fertility specialist will closely monitor your ovarian response during the stimulation phase with ultrasounds and/or blood tests. This is important as medications may be adjusted to control the size and amount of follicles.

To assist with the final maturation of the egg and loosening of the egg from the follicle wall ready for egg collection, an injection of Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG). This is often referred to as ‘the trigger injection’.

The egg retrieval is performed 35-38 hours after ‘the trigger injection’ under ultrasound guidance and takes place while you’re lightly sedated. It is important to note that not every follicle will contain an egg, and not every egg will fertilise.

Your partner (if applicable) will be asked to produce his semen sample on the day of your procedure. If you are using frozen sperm, the sample is thawed on the day of your procedure. The sperm sample is washed and concentrated, then added to the eggs. If your specialist has recommended Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), one sperm will be injected directly into each mature egg. ICSI is usually recommended for male factor infertility or previous suboptimal outcomes with standard IVF insemination.

The inseminated eggs are placed in an incubator and checked for fertilisation 16-18 hours after insemination. You will receive an update from the embryologists at this time.  The normally fertilised embryos are then grown for five days. It is important to note that not every egg will fertilise, as several factors may affect the fertilisation ability of an egg and/or sperm.

Five days following egg retrieval, the embryos are assessed by the embryologists for development and quality. The best embryo is selected for transfer into the uterus using a fine plastic tube (transfer catheter). Usually only one embryo is transferred. If more than one embryo is to be transferred, this must be discussed with your clinician prior to transfer taking place. Embryo transfer is a relatively quick procedure and discomfort should be minimal.

In addition to fresh embryo transfers, many patients may have embryos frozen for future use. This process is known as a Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET), where a cryopreserved embryo from a previous cycle is thawed and placed into the uterus is widely used in IVF treatment. FETs avoid the need for another full IVF cycle, reducing treatment time, costs, and physical demands. Learn more about how FET works and if it may be right for you on our Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) service page.

Any remaining embryos that meet the requirements in terms of development and quality will be frozen. These frozen embryos are then stored until required for a subsequent transfer. The vast majority of frozen embryos survive the freezing process and pregnancy rates are comparable with transfer of fresh embryos.

The final stage of IVF is called the luteal phase and it’s the two weeks between the egg collection and the pregnancy test. Many people find this to be the most difficult time to endure. Whilst it’s an exciting and optimistic time of the treatment cycle, it can often be emotionally charged with expectation and anxiety. You will be encouraged to limit your activity for 24 hours after the embryo transfer, eat well, stay hydrated and keep busy while you wait for your pregnancy blood test.

Yes, it is possible to conceive naturally after IVF. Many people assume that IVF means you cannot conceive without medical help, but that is not always the case. Factors such as age, underlying fertility issues, and overall health all play a role. Sometimes, the changes in lifestyle, treatment of medical conditions, or improved reproductive health after IVF can increase the chance of a natural pregnancy. However, it is not guaranteed and varies between individuals.

A full IVF cycle usually takes three to four weeks. It involves stimulating the ovaries, retrieving eggs, fertilising them with sperm in the lab, and then transferring an embryo into the uterus. A pregnancy test is taken about two weeks after transfer.

The timing of an embryo transfer depends on your treatment plan and how the embryos develop. Transfers typically occur on day three or day five, with your specialist recommending the option that gives you the best chance of success based on your medical history and embryo quality.

Fertility treatment costs vary depending on the support you need. At City Fertility, an initial IVF cycle is approximately $4,720 to $5,025 out of pocket after the Medicare rebate. For a detailed breakdown, please visit our Treatment Cost page.

Both fresh and frozen embryo transfers can be effective. Fresh transfers occur in the same cycle as egg collection, while frozen transfers take place later after embryos are frozen and thawed. Your fertility specialist will guide you on the approach that best suits your health and treatment goals.