How does IVF work?

In vitro fertilization, or IVF, is a way to help an egg and sperm meet, then return an embryo to the uterus at the right time. 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 the best possible embryo and give it the best chance to implant.

What happens in an IVF cycle

IVF is a sequence. Most cycles follow the same steps, with small adjustments based on age, ovarian reserve, and diagnosis.

1) Ovarian stimulation. You take injectable hormones for 8 to 12 days to grow multiple follicles instead of the single dominant follicle your body would select on its own. Your clinic monitors growth with ultrasound and blood work and adjusts doses as you go.

2) Trigger and egg retrieval. When follicles reach the right size, you take a timed trigger shot to mature the eggs. 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.

3) Fertilization in the lab. Eggs are combined with sperm in a dish or a single sperm is injected into each mature egg using ICSI. The choice depends on sperm quality and clinic protocol. Embryos are cultured and checked over several days.

4) Embryo development and selection. By day 5 or 6, some embryos reach the blastocyst stage. Clinics may recommend transferring one embryo and freezing the rest. Some people choose preimplantation genetic testing to learn about chromosome number before transfer. Your team will explain whether testing is likely to help based on your history.

5) Embryo transfer. Embryos can be transferred in the same cycle (fresh transfer) or a later cycle (frozen transfer). A thin catheter passes through the cervix to place the embryo in the uterus. Many clinics support the luteal phase with progesterone afterward.

6) Pregnancy test. About 9 to 12 days after transfer, a blood test checks for hCG. If positive, early ultrasounds follow to confirm location and heartbeat.

Fresh vs frozen transfer

Fresh transfer happens a few days after retrieval. Frozen transfer gives the body time to recover from stimulation and lets the clinic prepare the uterine lining in a controlled way. Many clinics favor single embryo transfer to reduce the risk of multiples while keeping success rates high.

Risks and how they are managed

Most side effects are mild and short lived, like bloating, mood changes, or bruising at injection sites. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is now uncommon and clinics use protocols that lower this risk. Your team will tailor medication and monitoring to your situation and history.

How long it takes and what it feels like

A typical stimulation and retrieval take 2 to 3 weeks. If you do a frozen transfer, add a few more weeks to prepare the lining. Expect frequent monitoring visits during stimulation, a retrieval day with light anesthesia, then a short, gentle appointment for transfer. People often describe the process as intensive but manageable when they have a clear plan and good support.

Where Strawberry fits

Before choosing IVF or deciding how quickly to move, it helps to understand your starting point. A focused hormone baseline makes consults more efficient and helps set realistic expectations for response to medication.

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 you are deciding between timed intercourse, IUI, and IVF, or planning a frozen 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.

Testing is completed at home with a virtually painless upper-arm device, processed by certified partner labs, and reviewed by clinicians. Day 3 testing is especially easy since you can collect at home without last minute scheduling. Every member receives a Personalized Fertility Timeline that turns numbers into next steps and shows when to recheck.

Bottom line

IVF breaks conception into clear steps so your team can control timing and quality. The process has a lot of moving parts, but each one has a purpose and most are shorter and more manageable than they sound on paper. If you start with your own data and a plan that fits your timeline, you can move forward with more clarity and less stress. If you want a simple first step, pick the panel that matches your goal and use your results to guide the conversation at your next consultation.