Infertility is not a new issue; it has always been a major hindrance for those who dream of parenthood since the early days. However, it is only recently that we have begun to understand infertility and develop solutions to this issue. One of the most popular solutions to the issue of infertility is In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). But since this process is relatively unheard of, especially in nations such as Nepal, there are a ton of questions surrounding it. One such question is regarding its duration or to be more specific - How long is the IVF Process? Well, the answer depends on many aspects, such as the duration of steps and the duration of the preparation phase.
But before you know about its duration, you should first know why it is done, its timeline, and the preparation phase. Furthermore, it would also be helpful to you if you have a fair bit of idea regarding its success rates and cost. The good news here is that we shall cover all of these aspects in this blog. So, keeping this in mind, let's get started!
So before we talk about its preparation phase and process timeline, you first need to know why this treatment process is done. Well, the most simple and direct answer to the question of why IVF is done is “because of infertility”, but the actual answers are a bit more specific than this. So why is the IVF process, an Assisted Reproductive Technology, done? Some of the key reasons include:
Among many reasons to do the IVF, one of the most common reasons is when your fallopian tube is damaged or blocked. During the reproduction phase, the egg moves from the ovaries to the uterus through the fallopian tubes. When a fallopian tube is damaged or blocked, it prevents this process, thus preventing fertilization from occurring. The good news about IVF is that it bypasses this problem completely by taking the eggs out of the ovary before fertilizing them and placing them back into the uterus manually.
Besides the damage to the fallopian tube, another common reason for using IVF is ovulation disorders. While the specifics vary, these disorders either stop ovulation or lower the number of eggs produced. Since a part of the IVF process is using stimulants to trigger your ovaries into releasing the eggs, it completely bypasses this issue, thus aiding in your reproduction.
The next condition where you might want to utilize IVF is if you have endometriosis. This is essentially a condition where a tissue similar to the one found inside the lining of the uterus grows outside it and stops the process of eggs. Again, IVF bypasses this issue through manual extraction and implantation of the eggs, completely negating the effect of this condition.
While endometriosis is the overgrowing uterine lining, fibroids are essentially overgrown tissues in the uterus, which then transform into tumours. For the most part, these tumours are not harmful in any way. But when it comes to infertility, they can prevent the eggs from attaching themselves to the lining of the uterus. The way how IVF solves this issue is essentially the same as the one we mentioned earlier; it bypasses the entire issue itself.
Unlike our previous entries, which were issues in females, this one is an issue in males and a major one at that. In around half of the cases, the issue is not with the ovary or eggs but with the sperm itself. So, if you are someone who is having issues with your sperm, then you might want to consider IVF treatment. During this process, the experts only select the best sperms before fertilizing, removing any negative effects caused by defects in sperms be it in sperm shape or motility.
Sometimes, you can become infertile just because without any form of reason. All the reasons that we mentioned so far might not apply to you, and you may not even show any other signs of infertility. You seem perfectly healthy, and everything is fine, but still, you are infertile. In such cases, IVF is one of the best options for you since it has a naturally high success rate.
Naturally, these are just some of the reasons why you might want to do IVF. Besides the ones we mentioned here, there are several other reasons why you can choose IVF depending on the specifics of your circumstances.
Want to Know How IVF Works? : How IVF Works: A Step-by-Step Guide to In Vitro Fertilization
Knowing the reasons to conduct IVF is not enough, you must also learn about its preparation process as well. This is because, depending on how well you prepare, it can affect the success rate of IVF. Furthermore, depending on the steps taken during the preparation phase it can also affect the overall timeline of the IVF process. But what are the steps involved in the IVF process, and its estimated timeline? Well, the key steps include:
One of the key steps in the preparatory phases of IVF is the process of ovarian reserve testing. In this process, the experts check how many eggs are available in your body through blood tests. The results of blood tests are then used alongside various other forms of tests, such as ultrasound of the ovaries, to predict how your ovaries shall respond to fertility medications as well.
As mentioned previously, roughly half of infertility cases are caused by the defect of male sperm. Therefore, it is highly important to ensure that the sperm are in good health. For this, the experts take a sample of your semen and then analyze it for the number of sperm, along with their shape and how they move. This test is typically conducted as a part of initial fertility testing or just before the start of the IVF process.
Another key step in the preparation phase of IVF is the screening of infectious diseases. This is a quick and simple process as both you and your partner are tested for reproductive diseases such as IVF.
Similar to how you are tested for infectious diseases, the experts also test your uterine lining. This is done to ensure that your uterine lining can support the attachment of the eggs. For a uterine exam, the experts can take a test known as Sonohysrterography, where they send fluid through your cervix down into the uterus to make more detailed ultrasound images. Another common method of uterine exam is known as Hysteroscopy, where a thin and flexible lighted telescope is inserted through the vagina and then through the cervix into the uterus to see inside it.
Once the experts have conducted every form of test and ensure that you are a good candidate for the IVF process, they then use a process known as the practice embryo transfer. As its name suggests, it is just a practice and, therefore, does not involve the placement of real embryos into the uterus but rather just tools. The process is conducted to figure out the depth of your uterus and it also helps to determine the technique which yields the most success rate.
These are just about the primary steps you can take or let the experts take to prepare for the IVF process. While the specific time taken for all of this varies, in general, they take roughly around two to three months.
Also Read: Early Signs of Embryo Implantation After IVF: What to Watch For
Following the preparation phase, you then proceed towards the actual IVF. While the exact process of IVF depends on case by case, there are a few general processes. The processes and their timeline include the following:
This is the first step of the IVF process, and this phase is all about planning. In this process, the experts work with you to create a detailed IVF plan using the results from the preparation phase. While some of the testing may vary, the common test results used in the planning phase include:
Once the experts conduct the tests, the following process then typically splits into two directions. If your reproductive health is normal or has minor defects, then you follow along the general path, which begins with birth control. It is then followed by a stimulating process where the experts use injectable medications to stimulate the growth of the follicles.
Another way this stage can go is when you have been diagnosed with issues such as diminished ovarian reserve. In such circumstances, the doctors can recommend you with a protocol known as priming. In this protocol, you take an estrogen patch in the phase before your IVF cycle. The goal here is to lower FSH hormones to help it synchronize follicular growth to potentially increase the number of mature eggs that the experts can collect. Regardless of which direction the treatment follows, the step preceding this one is the same.
Stimulation (10 to 14 days)
As its name suggests, in this process, your ovaries are stimulated. The doctors inject you with medications that mimic your natural hormones and stimulate the ovarian follicle to produce eggs. Although there are multiple methods to achieve this, all of them follow the process of injecting gonadotropins. Sometimes, they may also be used alongside GnRH antagonists or lupron. The goal here is to stimulate your ovaries to produce the required number of eggs. The good news here is that you do not need to go to the doctor for each injection, as they shall teach you how to use them yourselves. However, you do need to visit them every few days for monitoring. Following this process, you need to wait for the follicles to grow up to around 18 to 18 millimeters. Once the stage is reached, you can proceed to the step below.
Following the stimulation phase, the next step is using a trigger shot to release the eggs from the follicles. Once the eggs are mature, the doctors shall administer a trigger shot roughly 36 hours before the egg retrieval process. Now do note that the eggs are typically released between 36 and 40 hours following the trigger shot. Do note that the eggs must be collected before they leave the fallopian tube.
Now, you should note that this procedure is a simple surgical procedure that generally takes less than an hour. During the process, you can either choose to be unconscious or be under conscious sedation. Following the retrieval of eggs, they are sent to the lab to be tested and counted to see how many eggs were extracted. You shall start daily injections of progesterone to aid your uterine lining for the introduction of the embryos.
Rather than calling this phase a step, it would be fair to call it a collection of steps. What basically occurs during this phase is that the eggs are fertilized, graded, and tested for quality. Now, do note that the fertilization process can either occur by placing the sperm next to the eggs or through ICSI. Following the fertilization process, they are graded for quality and during this step, you can choose another additional process called PGT to test for any forms of genetic defects. And once this is done, you can select the embryos with the specialists.
Once the eggs are selected and they reach the blastocyst stage, the experts then transfer the best-selected eggs into your uterus through a flexible plastic tube. The tube then passes through the opening of the cervix into the uterus. The good part about this is that you and your partner can watch this happen through the use of ultrasound techniques. Now do note that for the egg transfer process, you can use donated and fertilized eggs as well. Should this occur, the egg has to be thawed on the day of transfer.
Following the egg transfer you shall need to wait for twelve days for the pregnancy results. The best way to "test for pregnancy" is the blood tests but you can also use home pregnancy test kits. Now do note that you shall be taking hormones or medications that mimic the influence of hormones throughout the cycle. Therefore, using home pregnancy test kits during IVF can result in false negatives or positives; at least, there is a higher chance of these false results when compared to normal pregnancy. Because of this, we recommend the blood test results for more accurate results.
This is the end of the IVF cycle. If the first pregnancy test is positive, you need to take another test roughly 2 days after and another one in a week. If the pregnancy test still shows that you are pregnant, you shall need to see the OB-GYN for your care. If your test is negative, you need to wait for four to six weeks to start the process again.
This is the overall timeline of the IVF process following the preparation phase. But do note that when considering the overall timeline, you also need to consider the preparation phase as well.
Recommended Blog: What to Do After IVF Implantation: Dos and Don’ts Explained
Now that we have discussed the overall process and preparation phase of the IVF process let's talk about the core topic of this blog - how long is the IVF process? Well, if you have read till this point of the blog or even have just skimmed well, you should have noticed that we have sprinkled information about the duration. But what about the exact duration of the overall process? Well, as with all aspects of IVF, the specifics depend on the exact procedure used. That said, we have provided you with a general IVF procedure along with the general preparation phase. Therefore, we can provide you with an estimation of how long the IVF process is based on the information we have provided so far. So, as per our estimation, the overall duration of the IVF process is roughly four to six months, including the preparation phase. Following is the breakdown of the IVF timeline.
| Phase | Duration |
| Preparation Phase | 8 to 12 weeks |
| Plan and Test | 1 week |
| Synchronizing Cycle and Priming | 3 weeks |
| Stimulation | 1.5 to 2 weeks |
| Trigger Shot and Egg Retrieval | 3 days |
| Fertilization, Grading, Testing | 3 weeks |
| Egg Transfer | 1 day |
| Test for Pregnancy | 2 weeks |
| Follow-up for OB GYN or Plan for Next cycle | 1 week |
| Total Timeline | 16 to 11 weeks (4 to 6 months) |
By this point, we have gone through the core aspect of this blog. So we can pretty much end this topic. But before we end, we shall provide you with a few additional pieces of information. One such information that we shall provide you is about the success rate of IVF. So, what exactly is the success rate of IVF? Well, the specific success rate depends on many factors. Some of these factors include:
Even if you consider all of these factors, the success rate of IVF is fairly high. On average the success rate of IVF is between 70% to 80%.
It is not important to know the success rate of IVF. If you want to take the service, you should also know the IVF cost in Nepal as well. But as with all of the other factors, the cost also depends on many factors. These factors include:
Because of all of these factors, it is nearly impossible to estimate the exact cost of IVF in Nepal. However, we can provide you with a rough estimate. At Hardik IVF, IVF costs are generally between 2,50,000 and 4,00,000.
And before we conclude, let’s talk about the best IVF center in Nepal, Hardik IVF and Fertility Center. But, why is Hardik one of the best IVF centers in Nepal? Well, there’s a lot of problems. These include some of the big ones:
1. Friendly and Expert Staff: Our center is run by the most experienced and compassionate team of gynecologists, embryologists, and genetic counselors. These professionals address all challenges to keep systems in check by setting them close to their level.
2. High-Tech and State-of-the-Art Centers: Hardik IVF is well equipped with state-of-the-art reproductive technologies such as IVF, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, Intrauterine Insemination and so on. These technological advances raise the chances of success.
3. Holistic Approach to Fertility Care: The center recognizes the fertility journey as an emotional one and integrates mental health counseling into the services. Such a holistic approach addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of infertility for comprehensive support in treatment.
4. Transparency in Processes and Supportive Ambiance: Hardik IVF follows transparency in processes and provides a supportive environment for the treatment of the patient. This builds trust and comfort among patients and makes their journey easy.
5. Reasonable and Affordable Services: The center believes in offering the best fertility services at reasonable prices to make treatment accessible for all classes.
The amalgamation of these attributes altogether makes Hardik IVF and Fertility Center a trusted and leading choice for people seeking fertility treatments in Nepal.
IVF is one of the best and most popular forms of infertility treatment out there, with a fairly high success rate. That said, despite its high success rate and popularity, it is fairly new in nations such as Nepal. Therefore, it would be natural for there to be many questions regarding IVF. Among many such questions, one of the key questions is - how long is the IVF treatment? Well, it is kind of hard to determine as it all depends on the process used, but in general, it can take anywhere from four to six months (process including preparation).
In this blog, we provide you with a general overview of IVF while focusing on the IVF process timeline. We hope you found this helpful. If you seek further insights into the various aspects of IVF and other infertility treatments, do check out some of our other blogs. And if you want the best IVF service in Nepal, look no further than Hardik IVF and Fertility Center - the best IVF center in Nepal. Thank you for reading till the end.
The entire IVF process takes about 4 to 6 months in totality, right from the preparation to going to the OB-GYN. This includes initial consultations, ovarian stimulation (8-14 days), egg retrieval, fertilization, and embryo transfer.
Embryo transfer is usually performed 3 to 5 days after egg retrieval, depending on the stage of development the embryos are in and the protocol of the given fertility clinic.
After embryo transfer, the pregnancy test is usually performed after 12 to 14 days to see whether implantation has taken place. Thus, the total duration, starting from the beginning of the IVF cycle till the pregnancy testing is about 6 to 8 weeks.
The five significant stages involved in the IVF are:
Ovarian stimulation injections typically last 8 to 14 days, depending on individual response and the specific treatment protocol. These injections are administered daily to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs.