Starting the journey of in vitro fertilization (IVF) can feel overwhelming at first. At Beta Plus Surrogacy, we believe that understanding each step helps bring clarity and comfort. IVF is not just a medical process—it’s a carefully guided pathway to parenthood, carried out with compassion and precision. Below, we’ll walk you through the IVF process and timeline step by step.
Step 1: Initial Consultation & Evaluation
Every IVF journey begins with an in-depth consultation. During this stage, your fertility specialist reviews your medical history, performs necessary tests, and discusses your goals. This evaluation helps create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. It’s also a time to ask questions, share concerns, and feel fully supported.
Step 2: Ovarian Stimulation & Medication
In a natural cycle, a woman typically produces one mature egg per month. With IVF, the goal is to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs, increasing the chances of success. Fertility medications (hormonal injections) are prescribed and carefully monitored with blood tests and ultrasounds to track follicle growth.
Step 3: Egg Retrieval
Once the eggs are mature, a minor outpatient procedure is performed to retrieve them from the ovaries. The process is quick and done under sedation, so you’ll be comfortable throughout. After retrieval, the eggs are taken directly to the laboratory for the next step.
Step 4: Sperm Retrieval & Fertilization
At this stage, sperm is collected—either from a partner or a donor. The embryologist then fertilizes the retrieved eggs with the sperm in a lab setting. Sometimes, a single sperm is directly injected into an egg through intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), depending on the case. The goal is to create healthy embryos.
Step 5: Embryo Development & Monitoring
Fertilized eggs begin to develop into embryos. Over the next 3–5 days, embryologists closely monitor them to ensure proper growth and quality. At this stage, preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) may be performed, if needed, to identify the healthiest embryos for transfer.
Step 6: Embryo Transfer & Pregnancy Test
A selected healthy embryo is gently placed into the uterus using a thin catheter. The procedure is quick, painless, and usually requires no anesthesia. About two weeks later, a blood test is performed to check for pregnancy. This is often the most emotional stage of the journey, filled with both hope and anticipation.
Step 7: Pregnancy Confirmation & Ongoing Care
If the test confirms pregnancy, your fertility team continues to monitor your early progress with bloodwork and ultrasounds. Once the pregnancy is stable, care is transitioned to your OB-GYN for the remainder of the journey. At Beta Plus Surrogacy, we remain a source of guidance and support every step of the way.
Final Thoughts
The IVF process is both a scientific and emotional journey. While the medical steps are precise and structured, the human side is equally important. At Beta Plus Surrogacy, we’ve spent more than 15 years walking with intended parents through this process—answering questions, celebrating milestones, and providing the care and compassion every family deserves.