What to Expect During Your First IVF Cycle at Melbourne IVF
Starting your first IVF cycle is a significant milestone, and knowing what to expect can help you feel more confident and prepared. Melbourne IVF offers a structured, supportive approach to guide you through every stage of the process. Here’s a step-by-step overview of what your journey will look like.
- Fertility Specialist Appointment
Your IVF journey begins with an appointment with a Melbourne IVF fertility specialist. They will take a detailed medical history, discuss your fertility challenges, and order any necessary preliminary tests. Based on your results, your specialist will propose a personalised treatment plan designed to give you the best chance of success.
- New Patient Appointments and Information Session
After your initial consultation, you’ll attend new patient appointments. During these, you’ll meet with the Patient Liaison Administration team and participate in an information session with a nurse. This is your opportunity to ask questions about the IVF process, medications, and what to expect at each stage.
- Ovarian Stimulation
Once your treatment plan is set, you’ll begin ovarian stimulation. This involves taking hormone medications—usually daily injections—to encourage your ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the single egg released during a natural cycle. This phase typically lasts 8–14 days and is closely monitored with blood tests and ultrasounds to track your response and adjust medication if needed.
- Egg Collection (Egg Retrieval)
When your follicles are ready, you’ll receive a “trigger” injection to mature the eggs. Egg collection is performed in a day surgery unit under anaesthetic and takes about 30 minutes. A fine needle is used to retrieve the eggs from your ovaries, guided by ultrasound. You’ll be at the hospital for around four hours and will need someone to escort you home afterward.
- Fertilisation and Embryo Development
Your eggs are immediately passed to the Melbourne IVF laboratory, where they are fertilised with sperm—either through standard IVF or ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection), depending on your circumstances. The resulting embryos are monitored as they develop, usually to the blastocyst stage (day 5).
- Embryo Transfer or Freezing
Depending on your treatment plan and embryo development, one embryo may be transferred into your uterus during the same cycle, or all suitable embryos may be frozen for transfer in a future cycle. Frozen embryo transfer (FET) allows for optimal timing and preparation of your uterine lining.
- Pregnancy Test
About two weeks after embryo transfer, you’ll have a blood test to determine if the cycle was successful. Your nurse will call you with the results and discuss the next steps, whether that’s continuing your pregnancy journey or planning another cycle.
Support Every Step of the Way
Melbourne IVF’s experienced team—including specialists like Dr Myuran Ponnam-Palam—will guide you through each stage, answer your questions, and provide compassionate care. Dr Ponnam-Palam is known for his expertise and supportive approach, making him an excellent choice for your fertility journey.
Ready to start your IVF journey?
Contact Dr Myuran Ponnam-Palam’s clinic today to book your first appointment with Dr Myuran Ponnam-Palam and take the next step toward building your family.
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