IVF takes place in 4 stages after assessments, possible treatment of infections and other factors such as fibroids.

IVF takes place in 4 stages after assessments, possible treatment of infections and other factors such as fibroids.

1. Ovarian stimulation: These are daily injections following a long, short or antagonistic protocol. Injections starting at the very beginning of menstruation (short cycle) or one week before the start of menstruation (long cycle). The injections are given for approximately 10 to 12 days. This stimulation is monitored by vaginal ultrasound and hormonal assays.

2. Egg retrieval (Oocytes pick-up) : it is done on an empty stomach under local anesthesia or short general anesthesia. The pick-upbrings back on average 3 to 10 oocytes ("eggs").

3. The laboratory stage (Embryo culture) : the oocytes are brought into contact with the spermatozoa (conventional IVF) or sperm is injected inside each oocyte (ICSI). This culture lasts from 2 to 3 days but can go up to 5 days when the patient has produced numerous oocytes, a culture is then practiced allowing an embryo transfer 5 days after the pick-up. This technique consistently increases the chances of pregnancy.

4. Embryo transfer : The embryos are transfered inside the uterus 2 to 5 days after the puncture. We replace 2 to 4 embryos depending on the context and the woman's age. Hormone therapy is advised for 2 weeks pending the results of the pregnancy blood test. It is continued in the event of a positive test and stopped if the test is negative.