How does IVF get you pregnant?

IVF helps an egg and sperm meet outside the body, then places a developing embryo into the uterus at the right moment for implantation. It is used for many reasons, including blocked tubes, ovulation problems, endometriosis, low sperm count or motility, unexplained infertility, single parenthood by choice, and family building for LGBTQ+ couples. The aim is simple: create a healthy embryo and give it the best chance to attach and grow.

What IVF changes compared with natural conception

In a natural cycle, one follicle usually matures, ovulation releases a single egg, and fertilization happens in the fallopian tube. IVF changes three key things. First, medication helps several follicles mature at once so more eggs are available. Second, fertilization happens in the lab where conditions are carefully controlled. Third, the embryo is transferred into the uterus when the lining is ready, which improves timing and bypasses blocked or damaged tubes.

The steps, in plain English

You begin with ovarian stimulation. For about 8 to 12 days, injectable hormones encourage multiple follicles to grow. Your clinic tracks progress with ultrasound and bloodwork and adjusts dosing so you respond safely.

When follicles reach the right size, a precisely timed trigger shot completes the final maturation steps. About 34 to 36 hours later, eggs are retrieved through a short transvaginal procedure under light anesthesia. Most people go home the same day and feel crampy or bloated for a day or two.

In the lab, eggs meet sperm. This can happen by placing many sperm around each egg or by ICSI, where a single carefully selected sperm is injected into each mature egg. Embryos are cultured and checked over several days as they progress toward the blastocyst stage.

Your team then chooses the best embryo to transfer. Some people choose preimplantation genetic testing to learn about chromosome number before transfer, especially at older ages or after repeated losses. Clinics often recommend transferring one embryo to keep success rates high while lowering the chance of twins.

Transfer takes only a few minutes. A thin catheter passes through the cervix to place the embryo in the uterus. The luteal phase is usually supported with progesterone. About 9 to 12 days later, a blood test checks for pregnancy. Early ultrasounds confirm location and heartbeat.

Why IVF improves the odds for many people

It increases the number of eggs available in one attempt.

It bypasses challenges like blocked tubes or certain sperm issues.

It allows careful selection of a high-quality embryo and precise timing of transfer.

It separates the process into steps, so your team can adjust what is not working without losing months.

IVF is powerful but not a cure-all. Egg quality still declines with age, severe uterine issues may require surgery first, and outcomes vary by diagnosis. That is why a clear baseline and a plan tailored to your history matter.

Where Strawberry fits

Before you decide whether to move to IVF or how quickly to progress, it helps to understand your starting point. A focused hormone baseline makes consults more efficient and sets realistic expectations for response to medication. Day 3 testing is especially easy with Strawberry since you collect at home, without last-minute lab visits while you are tired and menstruating. If you are considering preservation or IVF, your clinic may also recommend an antral follicle count ultrasound to estimate how your ovaries might respond.

Choose the panel that fits your goal

Ovarian Reserve Blood Test (AMH) - a quick look at egg quantity to inform planning and egg freezing conversations.

Fertility Blood Test (AMH, FSH, estradiol) - early-cycle context when deciding between timed intercourse, IUI, and IVF or planning a transfer timeline.

Women’s Health Panel - a broader hormone view when you want fertility insight alongside day to day hormone health like energy, sleep, mood, training, and symptoms.

Every test is processed by certified partner labs, reviewed by clinicians, and explained in plain English. You will also receive a Personalized Fertility Timeline that turns numbers into next steps and shows when to recheck.

Bottom line

IVF takes the core steps of conception, brings them under expert control, and times them precisely. For many people, that shift is enough to turn months of uncertainty into a clear path forward. If you want a simple first step, start with an at-home panel and your Personalized Fertility Timeline, then use that clarity to shape a plan with your clinic.