For many international patients planning to undergo IVF in Shenzhen, understanding the complete treatment process is the first step toward easing anxiety and preparing thoroughly. Based on evidence-based medicine, this article walks you through the entire journey — from your first consultation to the pregnancy test — in clear, reassuring language.

1. Initial Consultation and Assessment

Before formally starting a cycle, the doctor needs a comprehensive evaluation of both partners’ fertility to design a personalized plan.

  • Female testing : AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) to assess ovarian reserve, baseline hormonal panel (six key hormones), and transvaginal ultrasound to observe antral follicle count and the uterine environment.
  • Male testing : Semen analysis, with sperm DNA fragmentation testing added when necessary.
  • Other : Screening for infectious diseases and chromosomal karyotyping, to ensure the treatment is safe and compliant.

2. Ovarian Stimulation

In a natural cycle, only one egg is released each month, whereas IVF uses medication to obtain multiple high-quality eggs.

  • Common protocol : The antagonist protocol — fast-acting and safe, suitable for most patients.
  • Duration : About 8–12 days , with daily subcutaneous injections of stimulation medication.
  • Monitoring : Regular ultrasound and blood-hormone monitoring, with dose adjustments made dynamically to prevent ovarian hyperstimulation.

3. Egg Retrieval and Sperm Collection

When the follicles are mature, the egg retrieval procedure is scheduled to coincide with the male partner’s sperm collection.

  • Egg retrieval : Performed under IV sedation, taking about 15–20 minutes — painless and comfortable.
  • Sperm collection : The male partner provides a semen sample by masturbation on the same day; in special cases it can be frozen and stored in advance.

4. Fertilization

The laboratory combines the eggs and sperm using one of two main methods:

  • Conventional IVF : The sperm and eggs are cultured together, suitable for those with normal semen quality.
  • ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) : A single sperm is selected under a microscope and injected directly into the egg, suitable for severe male-factor infertility or previous fertilization failure.

5. Embryo Culture and Biopsy

After fertilization, the embryos grow in an incubator kept at a constant temperature.

  • Blastocyst culture : Typically cultured to day 5–6 to form a blastocyst, which has higher implantation potential.
  • Optional PGT-A : Chromosomal screening of the blastocyst reduces the risk of miscarriage, especially for advanced maternal age or repeated failure.

6. Embryo Transfer

Fresh or frozen embryos are chosen based on your condition.

  • Procedure : A soft, thin catheter places the embryo into the uterine cavity. The process is painless and takes about 5–10 minutes .
  • Choice : Fresh embryo transfer or Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET). Your doctor will advise based on the lining and hormone levels.

7. Luteal Support and Pregnancy Test

After transfer, luteal support is needed to sustain the pregnancy.

  • Medication : Vaginal gel, oral, or injectable progesterone.
  • Pregnancy test : About 10–14 days after transfer, a blood HCG test confirms whether pregnancy has been achieved.

Typical Total Timeline

A complete cycle usually takes about 4–6 weeks : roughly 1 week for initial assessment, 2 weeks for stimulation and retrieval, 1–2 weeks for culture and transfer, and 2 weeks for the pregnancy test. A frozen-embryo plan will extend the waiting time accordingly.

Ready to begin your journey to parenthood? Luohu Hospital in Shenzhen, together with FertiJourney, provides full English- and Chinese-language accompaniment throughout your treatment. Through FertiJourney, a complete IVF cycle costs about $4,500–6,000 , which is 60–70% cheaper than in the United States .

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