IVF Basics for Beginners

IVF (in vitro fertilisation) retrieves eggs, fertilises them in a lab, and transfers an embryo to the uterus. It's one option when simpler treatments haven't worked or aren't suitable.

Who IVF may help

• Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
• Significant male-factor issues (often with ICSI)
• Ovulation disorders that haven't responded to simpler treatment
• Endometriosis or unexplained infertility after other options
• People using donor eggs or sperm, or preserving fertility

Basic steps

• Stimulation injections to grow multiple follicles
• Monitoring scans
• Egg retrieval
• Fertilisation in the lab
• Embryo transfer
• Two-week wait and pregnancy test

One cycle typically spans several weeks: a couple of weeks of stimulation injections with regular monitoring scans, egg retrieval under sedation, fertilisation and a few days of embryo culture in the lab, then embryo transfer, followed by the roughly two-week wait before a pregnancy test.

What to expect

IVF is demanding physically and emotionally. Injections, frequent clinic visits, and the two-week wait can be stressful, and not every cycle succeeds — many people need more than one attempt. Lining up support from your partner, family, or a counsellor before you start makes the process easier to carry.

Success and cost

Success depends heavily on age. Many people need more than one cycle. Ask clinics for live-birth rates for your age band and itemised cost estimates. Costs vary widely by city and clinic, and add-ons such as ICSI, freezing and genetic testing increase the total.

When to speak to a doctor

Before considering IVF, see a fertility specialist if you've been trying for 12 months (6 months if the woman is 35 or older), or sooner if there are known issues such as irregular periods, blocked tubes, low sperm count, or repeated miscarriage. A specialist will run tests and may suggest simpler treatments first.

Questions to ask your clinic

• What are your live-birth rates for my age group?
• Is this an itemised, all-in estimate, and what's excluded?
• How many cycles do you expect I might need?
• What add-ons are you recommending, and is the evidence for them strong?
• What happens if a cycle is cancelled partway through?

Learn more in our IVF resources hub, get a sense of budgets on the IVF costs page, and keep appointments, medicines and results organised with the IVF tracker.

This article is for general education and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Speak with a qualified doctor about your specific situation.