First IVF Cycle: What to Expect at Promise Fertility Center Tambaram
First IVF Cycle: What to Expect at Promise Fertility Center Tambaram Home Introduction Starting your first IVF treatment cycle Chennai represents a significant milestone in your fertility journey—one filled with hope, anticipation, and understandably, anxiety about the unknown. After months or perhaps years of trying to conceive naturally, undergoing fertility testing, and possibly attempting other treatments, the decision to pursue IVF reflects both courage and commitment to building your family. It’s completely normal to feel a mixture of excitement and apprehension as you embark on this path. You likely have countless questions: What exactly happens during each phase? How will the medications affect you? What does egg retrieval actually feel like? How long does the entire process take? Will you be able to work during treatment? At Promise Fertility Center in Tambaram, we understand that knowledge reduces anxiety, which is why we believe in thoroughly preparing first-time IVF patients for every aspect of their journey. This comprehensive guide walks you through each phase of your first IVF cycle—from initial preparation through pregnancy testing—providing realistic expectations, practical tips, and reassurance that you’re not alone in this experience. Understanding what lies ahead helps you feel more confident, prepared, and empowered as you take this important step toward parenthood. Understanding IVF: The Basics In vitro fertilization (IVF) is an assisted reproductive technology where eggs are retrieved from ovaries, fertilized with sperm in a laboratory, and resulting embryos are transferred to the uterus. This process bypasses many natural conception barriers, making pregnancy possible even when other approaches haven’t succeeded. IVF was originally developed for women with blocked fallopian tubes but has evolved to effectively address male factor infertility, unexplained infertility, endometriosis, ovulation disorders, age-related fertility decline, and numerous other conditions affecting conception. The procedure has become increasingly refined and successful since the first IVF baby was born in 1978, with modern techniques, advanced laboratory technology, and personalized protocols significantly improving outcomes. Before You Begin: The Preparation Phase Your IVF journey actually starts before the treatment cycle itself with important preparatory steps: Comprehensive Fertility Evaluation If not already completed, you’ll undergo thorough testing including hormone level assessments (FSH, AMH, estradiol, TSH), antral follicle count via ultrasound, semen analysis for male partner, uterine cavity evaluation (hysteroscopy or sonohysterogram), and infectious disease screening for both partners. These assessments provide your fertility specialist with essential information to customize your treatment protocol for optimal results. Treatment Planning Consultation During this detailed appointment, your doctor reviews all test results, explains your specific diagnosis and how it affects fertility, discusses your individualized IVF protocol and medication plan, sets realistic expectations about success probabilities based on your circumstances, and addresses all your questions and concerns. This is your opportunity to fully understand the treatment ahead and feel confident in your care team. Medication Training and Preparation IVF requires self-administered hormone injections, which initially seems daunting but becomes routine quickly. Your nursing team provides hands-on training, demonstrating proper injection techniques, reviewing medication schedules and storage requirements, and ensuring you feel completely comfortable before starting. You’ll also receive practical guidance on organizing medications, setting reminder systems, and managing your schedule around treatment requirements. Lifestyle Optimization The weeks before starting IVF offer an opportunity to optimize your health through maintaining healthy body weight when possible, eating a nutrient-rich balanced diet, taking prenatal vitamins with folate, engaging in moderate exercise while avoiding extremes, getting adequate sleep, limiting alcohol and eliminating tobacco, and managing stress through relaxation techniques, counseling, or support groups. While perfection isn’t required, these healthy habits support your body through the treatment process. Phase 1: Ovarian Stimulation (Days 1-14) The first active phase of your IVF process Chennai involves stimulating your ovaries to develop multiple eggs in a single cycle, rather than the single egg that typically matures naturally each month. Starting Stimulation Medications Your cycle begins on Day 1 of your menstrual period. After a baseline ultrasound and bloodwork confirm you’re ready to start, you’ll begin daily hormone injections (gonadotropins) that stimulate follicle development. These medications typically include FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and sometimes LH (luteinizing hormone). Most women continue their normal daily activities during stimulation, though you may experience bloating, breast tenderness, mood fluctuations, or fatigue as your ovaries respond to medications. Monitoring Appointments Every 2-3 days throughout stimulation, you’ll return to the clinic for monitoring appointments involving transvaginal ultrasounds to measure follicle growth and blood tests to check hormone levels (primarily estradiol). These frequent visits allow your doctor to track your response and adjust medication dosages for optimal follicle development—not too few, not excessive, but the right number of quality eggs. Adding Suppression Medications Midway through stimulation, you’ll typically add a medication (GnRH antagonist or agonist depending on your protocol) that prevents premature ovulation before egg retrieval is scheduled. The Trigger Shot When monitoring shows your follicles have reached appropriate size (typically 16-20mm in diameter), you’ll receive precise instructions for a “trigger shot” (hCG or GnRH agonist) that causes final egg maturation. Timing this injection is critical—it must be administered exactly 34-36 hours before your scheduled egg retrieval. The stimulation phase typically lasts 10-14 days, varying based on individual response. Phase 2: Egg Retrieval (Day 14-15) Egg retrieval is a minor surgical procedure performed under sedation or light anesthesia, so you’ll be comfortable and won’t remember the procedure itself. What Happens During Retrieval Using transvaginal ultrasound guidance, your doctor passes a thin needle through the vaginal wall to access each ovary. Follicular fluid containing eggs is gently aspirated from each mature follicle—a process taking approximately 20-30 minutes. You won’t feel the procedure due to sedation, though you may experience cramping similar to menstrual discomfort for a day or two afterward. Recovery and Going Home After 1-2 hours in recovery, you’ll go home the same day. Someone must accompany you and drive you home due to sedation effects. Most women rest for the remainder of the day and return to normal activities the next day, though you should avoid strenuous exercise for about a week. Fertilization Process While you’re recovering at home,









