IVF can feel like a big step, especially if you are not sure what the process actually involves. At its core, in vitro fertilization (IVF) involves stimulating the ovaries, retrieving eggs, fertilizing them in a laboratory, and transferring an embryo into the uterus.
At Open Fertility, IVF is delivered through a focused, team-based care model designed for eligible patients with relatively straightforward medical histories. Monitoring and ongoing support happen through your Open care team, while egg retrievals and embryo transfers are performed by Spring Fertility reproductive endocrinologists. Open patients also benefit from Spring Fertility’s IVF laboratory and embryology expertise.
Who Is IVF For?
People come to IVF from many different starting points. Some have a known fertility diagnosis, while others arrive after trying other approaches and feeling ready for a different next step.
IVF may be used for reasons including:
- Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
- Male-factor fertility concerns
- Ovulatory disorders
- Endometriosis
- Age-related fertility changes
- Unexplained infertility
- Genetic testing of embryos, when appropriate
Open Fertility is designed for eligible patients who are ready to pursue IVF through a focused care model. Patients who need IUI, donor egg, gestational carrier services, broader third-party reproduction, or more complex fertility care may be better served by Spring Fertility.
How Does the IVF Process Work Step by Step?
Every treatment plan is different, but IVF generally follows a series of stages from evaluation through embryo transfer.
Step 1. Initial Evaluation
Your care begins with a review of your medical and reproductive history, fertility goals, and appropriate testing.
Testing may include bloodwork and ultrasound to provide information about ovarian reserve and anticipated response to stimulation. At Open, testing is performed as part of an IVF treatment pathway rather than as a standalone fertility-testing service.
Step 2. Treatment Plan
Your provider uses the information from your evaluation to develop your IVF treatment plan.
Your plan may include:
- Which medications you will take
- Medication timing and instructions
- Your anticipated monitoring schedule
- Any additional treatment steps relevant to your cycle
Your care team will also explain what to expect and when different appointments and procedures will occur.
Step 3. Ovarian Stimulation
During ovarian stimulation, injectable medications encourage multiple follicles to develop at the same time.
You will return for monitoring with bloodwork and ultrasound so your care team can track your response and adjust medications when needed.
Some patients experience temporary symptoms such as bloating, pelvic pressure, or fatigue during stimulation. Your care team can help you understand what is expected and when to contact them with concerns.
Step 4. Egg Retrieval
When your follicles are ready, egg retrieval is performed by a Spring Fertility reproductive endocrinologist.
The retrieval is an outpatient procedure performed under anesthesia. Using ultrasound guidance, the physician collects fluid from the ovarian follicles so the laboratory team can identify the eggs.
Your care team will provide detailed preparation, arrival, and recovery instructions before retrieval day.
Learn more about what to expect on egg retrieval day.
Step 5. Sperm Preparation
If sperm is part of your treatment plan, it is prepared for fertilization according to the clinical plan for your cycle.
This may involve a fresh sample, previously cryopreserved sperm, or donor sperm when appropriate within Open’s available treatment pathways.
Step 6. Fertilization and Embryo Development
After retrieval, mature eggs are fertilized in Spring Fertility’s IVF laboratory using conventional insemination or ICSI, depending on your treatment plan.
Spring Fertility’s embryology team then monitors embryo development over the following days.
Not every retrieved egg will be mature, not every mature egg will fertilize, and not every fertilized egg will develop into a blastocyst. This is a normal part of IVF biology.
Embryos that are not transferred immediately may be cryopreserved for potential future use.
Step 7. Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT), If Applicable
If preimplantation genetic testing is part of your treatment plan, embryos that reach the appropriate stage of development may be biopsied and cryopreserved while results are pending.
PGT is not part of every IVF cycle and does not test for every genetic condition. Your provider can help you understand whether it may be appropriate for your situation.
Step 8. Embryo Transfer
Embryo transfer is a separate procedure performed by a Spring Fertility reproductive endocrinologist.
During transfer, an embryo is placed into the uterus using a thin catheter. Your care team will provide instructions about preparation, timing, and what to expect afterward.
A pregnancy test follows after the interval recommended by your clinical team.
How Long Does an IVF Cycle Take?
IVF does not follow exactly the same timeline for every patient.
The process typically includes:
|
Phase |
What Happens |
|
Evaluation and treatment planning |
Medical review, testing, and preparation for treatment |
|
Ovarian stimulation |
Injectable medications with bloodwork and ultrasound monitoring |
|
Egg retrieval |
Eggs are collected by a Spring Fertility reproductive endocrinologist |
|
Embryo development |
Fertilization and embryo monitoring in Spring Fertility’s IVF laboratory |
|
PGT, if applicable |
Embryo biopsy, cryopreservation, and testing when part of the treatment plan |
|
Embryo transfer |
May occur as part of the current treatment sequence or in a later cycle |
Your exact timeline depends on your treatment plan, response to stimulation, whether genetic testing is used, and whether your embryo transfer occurs in the same or a later cycle.
How Much Does IVF Cost?
Cost is an important part of choosing fertility care, and patients should be able to understand expected expenses before beginning treatment.
Open Fertility was designed to make expert IVF care more accessible through a focused care model and transparent self-pay pricing.
When comparing treatment options, consider:
- The IVF cycle fee and what it includes
- Medication costs
- PGT costs, if applicable
- Embryo storage
- Additional embryo transfer fees, if applicable
- Your insurance deductible, coinsurance, treatment limits, and remaining fertility benefits
For some patients, self-pay may be simpler, more predictable, or more affordable than using commercial insurance. For others, insurance may still be the better option.
Visit our pricing page for current IVF pricing and information about what is included.
What Affects IVF Success?
There is no single IVF success rate that applies to every patient.
Outcomes can be influenced by factors including:
- Age
- Egg quality and ovarian reserve
- Sperm factors
- Embryo development
- Medical and reproductive history
- Whether genetically tested embryos are used
- Other individual clinical factors
Age is particularly important because egg quality generally declines over time, but age alone cannot predict an individual patient’s outcome.
Your care team can help you understand what factors are most relevant to your treatment plan and set realistic expectations based on your individual situation.
Is Open IVF Right for You?
Open Fertility was designed for patients with relatively straightforward medical histories who are ready to pursue IVF through a focused, team-based care model.
Open patients receive monitoring and ongoing support through their Open care team, while Spring Fertility reproductive endocrinologists perform egg retrievals and embryo transfers and Spring Fertility’s IVF laboratory and embryology teams support fertilization and embryo development.
A different care model. Established fertility expertise.
If you are considering IVF, schedule a consultation to learn whether Open may be a good fit for you.
For answers to common patient questions, visit our Preguntas frecuentes or learn more about Open Fertility’s care model.