Schedule for Screening Appointments for IVF

On average, there are between six to eight phases involved in the in vitro fertilization schedule. Here's an overview of what to expect if you're still in the decision-making stage. Contact the clinic of your choice for specifics.

Phase 1

During this initial phase you'll have a consult with a physician. At another appointment you'll have an orientation with both the physician and nurse where they will discuss with you and your partner what to expect during the procedure, the costs associated with it and when payments need to be made. You will sign a consent form if you wish to continue with IVF and you'll likely be required to pay a deposit.

Phase 2

The screening process begins. This includes blood work on the second or third day of your cycle. Your partner's semen will also be analyzed. A sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) test may be ordered. This test examines the DNA structure of the sperm. Gonorrhea and Chlamydia cultures will be taken and both partners will receive a physical exam. An ultrasound (either a saline sonogram or midcycle ultrasound) is completed on the woman and sometimes a pap smear will be done, if needed.

Both partners need to go through the screening process so it's a good idea for each person to schedule their screening tests on the same day. This allows both if you to ask any questions you have together. In Phase Two you'll also be instructed on the how to do the intra-muscular injections and when they should be done.

Phase 3

You'll begin taking birth control pills and ovulation stimulation medication. Your doctor will tell you when to take the birth control pills and they're used to help control when you ovulate. You'll then start your ovulation stimulation medication. About 10 days later you'll have your blood drawn and an ultrasound to examine your ovaries for cysts. If everything looks fine, the ovulation stimulation drugs will continue.

Phase 4

Any adjustments to your FSH dosage may be done after more testing. The timing of the injections or the amount might be adjusted. If test show not enough follicles are developing, the scheduled retrieval cycle will be cancelled and possibly set for another day.

Phase 5

Testing will be done to make sure your follicles have developed to the right size (15 to 20 mm) with the appropriate estradiol levels. Retrieval will be scheduled and you'll be administered HCG about 37 hours before retrieval. The HCG is crucial for the maturation of the eggs. Your doctor will give you a detailed schedule of the drugs you're to take and when.

Phase 6

This phase is the egg retrieval. On the morning of the egg retrieval, your partner will be asked to collect a specimen of sperm. Egg retrieval is done under light anesthesia and you'll be discharged about two hours after the procedure. Someone must drive you home.

Phase 7

Fertilization of the eggs will happen in the lab. Three to five days after the egg retrieval you will be asked to return to the lab for the embryo transfer. This is done in a darkened room and the doctor will use an abdominal ultrasound to help with the embryo placement. You will need to remain lying down for 30 minutes and refrain from heavy activity for five days.

Phase 8

A blood pregnancy test is done 12 business days after the embryo transfer. A second test will be done if the first is positive. An ultrasound will also be done on the same day as the second test.