IVF Treatment Timeline: What to Expect Month by Month

Your IVF Journey: A Complete Timeline

Starting IVF can feel overwhelming. Understanding the timeline helps you plan work, travel, and life around treatment. Here's exactly what to expect at a typical Dubai fertility clinic.

Month 1: Consultation & Testing

Week 1: Initial Consultation

Meet your fertility specialist

Review medical history (both partners)

Discuss goals, concerns, and realistic expectations

Order initial tests

Week 1-3: Testing Phase

Female: AMH, FSH, estradiol, ultrasound, HSG (if needed)

Male: Semen analysis, hormone panel

Additional tests as indicated (genetic screening, thyroid, etc.)

Week 3-4: Results Review

Go over all test results

Receive diagnosis and treatment recommendation

Discuss protocol options

Review costs and payment plans

Month 2: Preparation

Pre-Treatment:

Begin prenatal vitamins (folic acid, vitamin D, CoQ10)

Lifestyle optimization (nutrition, exercise, sleep)

Baseline ultrasound and blood work (Day 2-3 of period)

Start birth control pills (if part of protocol) to synchronize cycle

Month 2-3: IVF Cycle

Day 1-2: Cycle Start

Period begins — call your clinic

Baseline ultrasound and blood work

Confirm everything looks good to proceed

Day 2-12: Ovarian Stimulation

Daily hormone injections (gonadotropins)

Monitoring appointments every 2-3 days

Ultrasound + blood work to track follicle growth

Medication adjustments as needed

This phase requires flexibility for clinic visits

Day 12-14: Trigger & Retrieval

Trigger shot (hCG or GnRH agonist) when follicles are ready

Egg retrieval exactly 36 hours after trigger

Outpatient procedure, 15-20 minutes under sedation

Partner provides sperm sample same day

Rest at home for 1-2 days

Day 13-19: Lab Phase

Fertilization (IVF or ICSI)

Embryo development monitoring

Day 3 update: how many fertilized, how they're growing

Day 5-7: Blastocyst development

PGT-A biopsy if planned (then freeze all embryos)

Month 3: Embryo Transfer

If Fresh Transfer (no PGT):

Transfer on Day 3 or Day 5 after retrieval

Quick procedure, no anesthesia needed

Feels like a Pap smear

Resume normal activities same day (avoid strenuous exercise)

If Frozen Transfer (after PGT or freeze-all):

Wait for PGT results (1-2 weeks)

Prepare uterine lining with estrogen

Progesterone supplementation

Transfer when lining is optimal (usually next cycle)

The Two-Week Wait

The hardest part of the entire process.

What's happening: The embryo is (hopefully) implanting in your uterine lining.

What to do:

Continue progesterone as prescribed

Normal daily activities are fine

Gentle walking and light exercise encouraged

Avoid hot baths/saunas

Try to stay busy (easier said than done)

What NOT to do:

Don't take home pregnancy tests early (they're unreliable)

Don't Google every symptom

Don't blame yourself for anything you did or didn't do

Day 10-14: Beta hCG Blood Test

This is your official pregnancy test

Blood test at the clinic

Results usually same day

If positive: repeat test 48 hours later to confirm levels are rising

After a Positive Test

Continue medications as prescribed

First ultrasound at 6-7 weeks (heartbeat check)

Gradually taper fertility medications around week 10-12

Transfer to your OB-GYN around week 10-12

Total Timeline Summary

|-------|----------|