Articles

IVF cycles and milestones

IVF cycles
After embryo transfer: symptoms, medicines and the pregnancy test
Having symptoms, or none, cannot show whether a transfer worked. Your clinic's blood test does, so keep taking your medicines until then.
IVF cycles
IVF cycle cancelled or transfer postponed: what it means, what to ask
A cancelled IVF cycle doesn't, by itself, show whether another try will work. First confirm which medicines to keep, what monitoring is left and who to call.
IVF cycles
IVF steps: what happens and how long it takes
Most stimulations last 8 to 14 days, retrieval comes 34 to 36 hours after the trigger, and the pregnancy test is about 9 to 14 days after transfer.
IVF cycles
Egg freezing timeline: from first visit to frozen eggs
Egg freezing takes several weeks: tests first, about 10 to 12 days of shots, retrieval 34 to 36 hours after the trigger, then recovery.
IVF cycles
Egg retrieval recovery: bloating, pain and when to get help
Rest for the first 24 hours with help at home. Bloating can outlast the soreness, so call your clinic right away if pain or bloating gets worse.
IVF cycles
Egg retrieval day: what happens and how to get ready
Egg retrieval is a short procedure done with medicine for comfort. Take the trigger on time, follow your fasting rules and bring a driver.
IVF cycles
Blastocyst embryo: what your IVF lab updates mean
A blastocyst is an embryo with a fluid-filled cavity and two cell groups. Developing embryos should reach it by day 5 or 6, but not every embryo does.
IVF cycles
Embryo freezing: how it works, storage and what to ask
Embryo freezing stores embryos for possible future use. Not every embryo survives warming, and your signed forms set the fees and choices for storage.
IVF cycles
Embryo transfer day: how to prepare and what it feels like
Embryo transfer usually takes less than 10 minutes, without anesthesia. It may bring brief discomfort or cramping, and you can walk soon after.
IVF cycles
Freeze-all IVF: why your clinic may freeze all embryos before transfer
In a freeze-all cycle, embryos suitable for freezing are stored, and one is placed in the uterus in a later cycle instead of days after retrieval.
IVF cycles
Fresh embryo transfer: the timeline from retrieval to transfer
A fresh embryo transfer is usually 3 or 5 days after egg retrieval, in the same cycle. Progesterone usually starts at retrieval or the day after.
IVF cycles
Fresh or frozen embryo transfer: timing, benefits and trade-offs
In fresh vs frozen embryo transfer, neither is best for everyone. They differ in timing, OHSS risk, testing plans, medicines and cost.
IVF cycles
Frozen embryo transfer: the FET timeline, step by step
In a frozen embryo transfer, a thawed embryo is placed in your uterus once the lining is ready. Your cycle type and scan results set the timing.
IVF cycles
Medicated frozen embryo transfer: estrogen, progesterone and timing
In a medicated frozen embryo transfer, estrogen builds your uterine lining, then progesterone readies it. The transfer is timed to the progesterone start.
IVF cycles
Natural cycle frozen embryo transfer: how a natural FET works
In a natural cycle FET, your own hormones ready your uterus. The clinic tracks when you ovulate, then sets the transfer a set number of days later.
IVF cycles
IVF protocols explained: antagonist, long, flare, natural and mini-IVF
Your IVF protocol is the order of your stimulation medicines. A 2025 European guideline recommends the antagonist protocol for most people.
IVF cycles
IVF stimulation: what to expect from the shots and scans
Most stimulations last 8 to 14 days. Blood tests and scans show how you respond, guide your doses and help your team time the trigger.

Medication planning

Appointments and visit notes