January 21, 2026
IVF Consult 101: What to Expect During Your Fertility Journey
Undergoing IVF involves 10 key steps during your initial consult, including stimulation protocols, monitoring, and embryo transfer options. Patients typically receive daily injections for 9-12 days and may discuss supplements like CoQ10. Genetic screening and embryo disposition plans are also critical to the process.
Key Takeaways
IVF Stimulation Protocols: Choosing the Right Medication Plan Based on Age and Health
Fertility specialists tailor stimulation protocols to factors like age, ovarian reserve, and medical history (e.g., PCOS or endometriosis). Supplements such as CoQ10 or Ovasitol may be recommended to improve egg quality and ovarian response.
IVF Monitoring Schedule: Bloodwork and Ultrasounds During Ovarian Stimulation
Patients typically attend 6 monitoring appointments over 9-12 days of injections. Dosage adjustments depend on hormone levels and follicle growth observed via ultrasounds, with more frequent visits as follicles near maturity.
Conventional IVF vs. ICSI: Selecting the Best Fertilization Method
ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) is recommended for male factor infertility, frozen sperm, or genetic testing needs. Conventional IVF is suitable for most cases, while techniques like PICSI may be considered for specific scenarios.
Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS): Reducing Chromosomal Abnormality Risks
PGS identifies chromosomally normal embryos to prevent implantation failures or miscarriages. The likelihood of abnormalities increases with maternal age, making PGS especially valuable for women over 35 or those with recurrent pregnancy loss.
Embryo Disposition Options: Freezing, Donation, or Discarding Excess Embryos
Patients must decide the fate of unused embryos: freezing for future use, donating for research or other couples, or discarding. This decision should align with personal values and family-building goals.
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