IVF Process: What to Expect, How It Works, and How Many Cycles You Might Need

When people talk about the IVF process, a medical procedure where eggs are fertilized outside the body and implanted into the uterus to achieve pregnancy. Also known as in vitro fertilization, it’s one of the most common fertility treatments used by couples in India facing challenges conceiving naturally. It’s not just about popping pills or waiting—it’s a multi-step journey that starts with hormone stimulation, includes egg retrieval, fertilization in a lab, and ends with embryo transfer. The whole thing takes weeks, and it’s not always smooth, but for many, it’s the only path to becoming a parent.

The IVF cycles, individual attempts at fertilization and implantation, each involving a full round of hormonal treatment and monitoring vary wildly from person to person. Some get pregnant on the first try. Others need three, four, or even more. Success depends on age, egg quality, sperm health, and how your body responds to meds. Women under 35 have the best odds, but even those over 40 have a real shot—just with lower numbers. There’s no magic number, but studies show that after three cycles, the cumulative chance of a live birth jumps significantly. That’s why doctors don’t give up after one failed round.

Then there’s the question of the baby itself. IVF babies, children conceived through fertilization in a lab rather than natural conception aren’t different in health or development from naturally conceived kids. But people wonder: do they look like the mom? What if donor eggs or sperm are used? Genetics still follow the same rules. If you’re using your own egg, your baby will carry your DNA. If you’re using a donor, the child will resemble that donor, not you. Epigenetics—the way genes are turned on or off—can also play a role in appearance, but no, IVF doesn’t make babies look like scientists or lab equipment. They look like their biological parents, or the donors who provided the cells.

What you won’t find in most brochures is how exhausting it all is. The injections. The waiting. The hope that crashes when the test is negative. The cost. The pressure from family. The guilt if it doesn’t work. These aren’t just medical facts—they’re real emotions. That’s why the posts below don’t just list stats. They talk about what it feels like to go through multiple IVF cycles, what actually affects your chances, and how some people end up with healthy babies after years of trying. You’ll also find answers to questions no one asks in the clinic: Can you work during IVF? Does stress kill your chances? Do IVF babies have more health problems? And yes—we cover why some people choose donor eggs, and what that means for the child’s identity later in life.

There’s no single right way to do IVF. But there are things you can control: choosing the right clinic, tracking your body’s signals, asking the right questions, and knowing when to pause. The posts ahead give you those tools—not fluff, not ads, just straight talk from people who’ve been there and doctors who’ve seen it all. Whether you’re just starting out or on your third round, you’ll find something that helps.