Planning a Shenzhen IVF trip can feel overwhelming until you see the calendar laid out. Most international patients complete a fresh stimulation-and-transfer cycle in roughly two weeks. This guide answers the two questions we hear most: “how long is IVF abroad really?” and “what does a realistic IVF abroad schedule look like day to day?” Below is a practical, day-by-day plan built around Shenzhen Luohu Hospital, one of South China’s busiest reproductive centers, which has helped 55,745 babies come into the world to date. Source: Luohu Hospital official report.

Before you fly

The biggest scheduling decision is when stimulation starts. You typically have two options, and your doctor will recommend one based on your baseline hormone tests and ovarian reserve.

Option A: Remote start (2–3 weeks before arrival). You begin oral contraceptive or light priming medication at home, then fly to Shenzhen already on protocol. This shortens your stay and is popular with patients who cannot take two full weeks away.

Option B: Start after arrival. You fly in, complete baseline scans on Day 1, and begin injections that same week. This keeps all monitoring under one medical team but means a slightly longer trip.

Either way, send your recent medical records, AMH, and any prior cycle notes to FertiJourney at least two weeks ahead. We arrange your first appointment, translation, and airport pickup before you board.

Day 1–2: Arrival & first consult

Day 1 is mostly logistics. Our driver meets you at Shenzhen Bao’an Airport or the Hong Kong border, then takes you to partner accommodation near Luohu Hospital — usually a 15-minute drive from the border or 40 minutes from the airport. Settle in and rest; jet lag is real and rest helps your hormones.

Day 2 is your first consult. You meet the reproductive specialist, review your history, and complete baseline testing: transvaginal ultrasound to count antral follicles and bloodwork for estrogen, progesterone, and FSH. The doctor confirms your protocol and teaches you or your partner the stimulation injection technique. Most patients describe this day as reassuring rather than stressful — the team sees international patients weekly.

Day 3–9: Stimulation & monitoring

This is the heart of your Shenzhen IVF trip. You self-inject follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) or a combined protocol each morning, typically at the same time daily. Every 2–3 days you return to the hospital for a short monitoring visit: a 10-minute ultrasound and a blood draw to track estrogen. Appointments are quick, so you keep most of the day free.

What to do between appointments? Keep activity light. Good low-effort options near Luohu include:

  • Bay Area park (Haiwan Park): flat, calm waterfront walks.
  • Lianhuashan (Lotus Hill) Park: gentle paths with city views, no strenuous climbing.
  • Dongmen Old Street: covered shopping and food, climate-controlled and easy on the legs.

Avoid high-impact workouts, hot tubs, and long-haul excursions. This is a good window for remote work, reading, and relaxing meals. Stimulation typically lasts 8–12 days depending on how your follicles respond.

Day 10–11: Trigger & egg retrieval

Once follicles reach the target size, your doctor schedules the trigger shot — a precise injection timed about 36 hours before retrieval. Timing matters, so we send reminders and confirm the clock with you.

Egg retrieval is a same-day procedure under light sedation or short general anesthesia. You arrive fasting, the doctor retrieves eggs transvaginally (most patients are asleep and feel nothing), and you wake in recovery within an hour. Plan to rest the full day afterward. Mild bloating or cramping is normal and typically fades within 48 hours. A companion should stay with you the evening of retrieval.

Day 12–14: Embryo culture updates & fresh transfer or freeze-all

While you recover, the embryology lab gets to work. Over these days the lab cultures your embryos and we send you daily WhatsApp photo and text updates — day-by-day development from fertilization to blastocyst. This is often the part patients love most: you watch your embryos grow from your hotel room.

Two paths are possible, and your doctor decides based on your lining, hormone levels, and risk of ovarian hyperstimulation:

Fresh transfer (Day 14): A single healthy embryo is transferred back. The procedure is painless and takes minutes; you rest briefly and continue normal light activity.

Freeze-all: If your body needs more recovery, all viable embryos are vitrified for a future frozen transfer. This is increasingly common and often recommended for safety.

Either way, you typically fly home around Day 14 or shortly after, with a clear follow-up plan.

What to pack

  • Documents: passport, medical records, AMH and hormone reports, prescription letters for any medication.
  • Medication: any protocol drugs approved for travel, plus a small cooler if instructed.
  • Comfort: loose waistband clothing, warm layer for clinic AC, slip-on shoes.
  • Electronics: laptop for remote work, travel adapter (China Type A/I), power bank.
  • Health: prenatal vitamins, electrolyte packets, heating pad for mild cramping.
  • Extras: neck pillow for flights, snacks, a paper copy of clinic address in Chinese.

FAQ

Does my partner need to be there the whole time? Not necessarily. Sperm can be provided early and frozen, so partners often join for retrieval and transfer only. For Option B starts, having a partner for the first injection lesson is helpful but not required.

Can I work remotely during the trip? Yes. Monitoring visits are short, and most afternoons are free. Many patients keep a light work schedule. Avoid heavy stress and late nights — rest supports the cycle.

What about the language barrier? FertiJourney provides English–Chinese medical translation at every appointment, and the international team communicates in English. You will never walk into a consult alone.

Ready to build your schedule?

Use our free tool to map your cycle and estimate key dates: IVF Due Date Calculator. When you are ready to talk through Option A or B, book a free consultation at /consultation/ and we will design your personal IVF abroad schedule.

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Treatment timelines, protocols, and outcomes vary by individual. Consult a qualified physician at Shenzhen Luohu Hospital for personalised guidance. FertiJourney does not guarantee any specific result.