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What happens day by day during IVF stimulation?
IVF stimulation, often referred to as ‘stim’, is a crucial phase in the in vitro fertilisation (IVF) process. During this period, hormonal injections are administered to stimulate the growth of egg follicles in the ovaries, thereby increasing the chances of successful fertilisation.
While this stage can be emotionally and physically challenging, understanding what to expect can help alleviate some anxiety.
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What is IVF stimulation?
IVF stimulation involves daily hormonal injections to stimulate the development of multiple egg follicles within the ovaries, rather than just one that grows in a natural cycle. This stimulation typically lasts for 10 to 14 days with the aim of safely maximising the number of eggs collected for fertilisation, increasing the chances of conception.
To prepare for IVF treatment, doctors usually recommend maintaining a healthy diet, taking prenatal vitamins, and avoiding smoking and drinking. This helps ensure your body responds positively to the stimulation process.
Stages of IVF stimulation
Day 1 of IVF stimulation - You will begin your hormonal injection. This usually starts on day two of your menstrual period. Don’t worry, one of our nurses will guide you on how to administer the injections, which are safe and cause minimal discomfort.
Day 2- 4 of IVF stimulation– Continue with daily injections. Your body will respond to the hormones, and your ovaries will start growing egg follicles. Some discomfort and light cramping may occur as the follicles grow.
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Day 7 of IVF stimulation – A second daily injection, a GnRH antagonist injection, will be introduced to suppress the menstrual cycle and prevent the eggs from releasing too early. As the follicles develop, you may experience increased bloating, mood swings and headaches. We will closely monitor your progress through ultrasounds to check the development of the ovarian follicles. Your doctor may adjust your medication based on ultrasounds and blood test results.
Day 8-11 of IVF stimulation – By now, the follicles should be reaching maturity. You’ll begin to feel more bloated, fatigued, and may notice heightened mood swings.
Day 12- 14 of IVF stimulation – We will assess the follicles to determine the timing for egg retrieval. Around this time, you will receive a trigger shot to help mature the eggs and prepare for ovulation.
Egg retrieval process – Approximately 36 hours after the shot, you will undergo the egg retrieval procedure. During an egg retrieval, a needle is gently guided through the vaginal wall to collect the eggs one by one from the ovaries. The procedure will be performed under sedation to ensure you feel no pain or discomfort.
Fertilisation procedure - Following the egg retrieval, the fertilisation process takes place, where healthy eggs are combined with sperm or, via a method called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), which is often used for cases of low sperm count or quality. The fertilised eggs are then left for five to six days to develop into a mature embryo. We are then ready for an embryo transfer.
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Symptoms you may experience throughout this period
Throughout the IVF stimulation process, you may experience a range of symptoms including bloating, breast tenderness, mild cramping, fatigue, headaches, nausea and mood swings as your body adjusts to hormonal changes. Bruising, redness and swelling at injection sites may also occur.
While mild discomfort is normal, there is a risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). This is a condition where the ovaries enlarge and patients experience significant bloating, severe abdominal pain and vomiting. Your fertility team will closely monitor you throughout the process to prevent OHSS.
If you experience any of these symptoms, reach out to your doctor or fertility clinic. It’s important to remember that these symptoms are temporary and typically improve after egg retrieval.
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