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If you're considering IVF — whether you're freezing your eggs, navigating treatment as an LGBTQ+ couple, or facing infertility — you might be wondering: How long will this take? The waiting, the unknowns, the ups and downs can feel overwhelming. While every journey is unique, understanding the general timeline can help you feel more prepared and in control.
How long does in vitro fertilization take?
A single IVF cycle typically takes four to six weeks from the start of ovarian stimulation to embryo transfer. But the full process — including pre-cycle preparation, potential delays, and optional genetic testing — can stretch to two to four months, sometimes longer if multiple cycles are needed. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), many people require more than one cycle to achieve a successful pregnancy. While that might sound daunting, knowing what to expect at each stage can help make the process more manageable.
IVF process: Start to finish
IVF happens in several key stages:
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Pre-cycle preparation
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Ovarian stimulation
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Egg retrieval
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Embryo development
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Embryo transfer
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The two-week wait
Pre-cycle preparation
Before ovarian stimulation starts, your doctor may prescribe birth control pills or other medications to regulate your cycle and optimize your ovaries for stimulation. This can start at the beginning of your previous cycle or around day 21, depending on your protocol. While this step might seem like a delay, it actually helps time things more precisely, setting you up for the best possible response to treatment.
In some cases, additional pre-treatment testing — such as bloodwork to check hormone levels, saline sonograms, or mock embryo transfers — may be recommended. These tests help ensure your uterus is in the best possible condition for implantation and can provide valuable insight into how your body might respond to treatment.
Ovarian stimulation (8-12 days)
Once stimulation begins, daily hormone injections encourage your ovaries to mature multiple eggs instead of the usual one per cycle. You’ll have frequent monitoring — think ultrasounds and bloodwork — to track follicle growth and hormone levels. Some people feel fine during this phase, while others experience bloating, mild discomfort, or mood swings due to the hormone shifts. When your follicles are ready, a "trigger shot" (hCG or leuprolide acetate) signals final egg maturation before retrieval.
Egg retrieval (36 hours after trigger shot)
Egg retrieval is a quick outpatient procedure done under light sedation. Using ultrasound guidance, a thin needle retrieves eggs from your follicles. The whole process takes about 20-30 minutes, and while mild cramping or bloating afterward is normal, most people recover within a day or two. The number of eggs retrieved varies from person to person, depending on factors like age, ovarian reserve, and how well the body responded to stimulation.
Your fertility clinic will update you shortly after retrieval with the number of eggs collected and let you know how many were mature enough for fertilization. While this can feel like a nerve-wracking time, it’s important to remember that quantity isn’t everything — quality matters just as much.
Embryo development (5-6 days)
After retrieval, the eggs meet sperm through conventional insemination or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The resulting embryos are monitored in the lab, and by day five or six, some will reach the blastocyst stage — the optimal time for transfer or freezing.
Each day, your clinic will track how many embryos continue developing. Not all fertilized eggs make it to the blastocyst stage, which can be disappointing but is completely normal. At this point, if you choose preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), a few cells from each embryo will be biopsied and sent for chromosomal analysis. Since testing results take about one to two weeks, embryos must be frozen during this time.
Embryo transfer (fresh vs. frozen)
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Fresh transfer: If you’re doing a fresh transfer, it happens three to five days after retrieval. Fresh transfers are sometimes recommended if you’ve had a strong response to stimulation and your doctor believes your uterus is ready.
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Frozen transfer (FET): Many doctors now prefer frozen embryo transfers, allowing your body time to recover from stimulation. Research suggests that FETs may improve implantation rates and overall pregnancy success. A frozen transfer can happen as soon as your next menstrual cycle or months later, depending on your protocol.
The transfer itself is quick and painless, much like a Pap smear. Using ultrasound guidance, a thin catheter places the embryo into your uterus. Some people experience mild cramping or spotting afterward, but most return to normal activity the same day. Doctors usually recommend avoiding strenuous exercise and excessive heat (like hot tubs or saunas) in the days following transfer to support implantation.
The two-week wait
Now comes what many consider the hardest part: the "two-week wait" (TWW). This is the stretch between embryo transfer and pregnancy testing. You may take progesterone support to help implantation, and you might feel symptoms that mimic early pregnancy (or the side effects of medication). The waiting game can be emotionally draining, but staying busy and leaning on your support system can help pass the time.
About 9-14 days post-transfer, a blood test will measure hCG levels to determine if you’re pregnant. While some people take home pregnancy tests during this time, it’s important to wait for the official bloodwork, as medications can sometimes cause false positives or negatives.
Timeline for IVF treatment: What to expect
IVF is a journey that requires patience, resilience, and a whole lot of hope. The process can feel long and uncertain, but breaking it down step by step makes it easier to navigate. The highs and lows are real, but so is the incredible possibility of success.
Advancements in reproductive medicine continue to improve outcomes, making IVF a viable option for many hopeful parents. No matter where you are on this path, know that every step forward brings you closer to the family you’re working so hard to build.
If you’re in the midst of IVF, take it one day at a time, ask questions when you need clarity, and surround yourself with support. This is your journey, and while it may not always be easy, you are stronger than you think.
Brighid Flynn is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia where she lives with her husband and puppy. She is just beginning her journey toward motherhood.