Starting your IVF journey can feel overwhelming — but understanding each stage of the process helps you feel informed, prepared and in control. This guide walks you through exactly what to expect during your first IVF cycle, from the very first appointment to the two-week wait after embryo transfer.
Before any treatment begins, your specialist at HealthFirst IVF will conduct a thorough assessment. This includes a review of your medical history, hormone blood tests (AMH, FSH, LH, estradiol), antral follicle count via ultrasound, and — for male partners — a semen analysis.
These results form the basis of your personalised treatment protocol. No two protocols are identical: your stimulation dosage, medication type and monitoring schedule will be tailored to your specific ovarian reserve and response profile.
"Understanding your baseline is the foundation of a successful IVF cycle. The more precisely we tailor the protocol to you, the better the outcome." — HealthFirst IVF Medical Team
The stimulation phase begins on day 2 or 3 of your menstrual cycle. You'll self-administer daily hormone injections (gonadotrophins) to encourage your ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs, rather than the single egg that develops in a natural cycle.
During this phase, you'll attend the clinic every 2–3 days for monitoring ultrasounds and blood tests. Your doctor will adjust your medication dosage based on your follicle growth response. Most patients find the injections manageable — our nurses will guide you through the technique at your first appointment.
What you might feel: Mild bloating, pelvic fullness, occasional mood changes and fatigue are normal during stimulation. These are signs that your ovaries are responding. Contact your coordinator immediately if you experience severe pain, rapid weight gain or difficulty breathing.
When your follicles reach the target size (typically 18–20mm), you'll administer a "trigger" injection of hCG or a GnRH agonist. This final injection matures your eggs and precisely times ovulation — egg retrieval is scheduled exactly 34–36 hours later.
The egg retrieval procedure (oocyte pick-up) is performed under light sedation. Using a fine needle guided by ultrasound, your doctor retrieves the eggs directly from the follicles. The procedure typically takes 20–30 minutes; most patients go home within 2 hours.
In the laboratory, retrieved eggs are fertilised with sperm — either through standard IVF (placing sperm and eggs together) or ICSI (injecting a single sperm directly into each egg). ICSI is used when sperm quality is lower or when previous fertilisation has been poor.
You'll receive a fertilisation report the following morning. Embryos are then cultured for 3–5 days. Most clinics prefer to culture to the blastocyst stage (day 5), as blastocysts have a higher implantation potential and allow better embryo selection.
Embryo transfer is a simple, painless procedure — no anaesthesia required. Using a thin catheter guided by ultrasound, your doctor places one or two selected embryos into your uterus. The procedure takes around 10 minutes. Most patients describe it as similar to a smear test.
You'll rest briefly at the clinic before returning to your hotel or accommodation. Normal, gentle activity is encouraged — bed rest is not necessary or beneficial.
After transfer, you'll take progesterone supplements (pessaries, injections or gel) to support your uterine lining while waiting to test for pregnancy. The 2WW is emotionally the most challenging part of the cycle — every sensation feels significant.
Your HealthFirst coordinator will be available throughout this period. A blood pregnancy test (beta hCG) is scheduled 10–12 days after transfer for the most accurate result.
Success rates: For patients under 35 using their own eggs, success rates per transfer at our partner clinics range from 45–60%. For egg donation cycles, success rates are typically 60–70% per transfer, regardless of recipient age.
We don't just coordinate your medical treatment — we manage your entire experience. From airport pickup on arrival to daily clinic transfers, professional medical translation at every appointment, and a dedicated coordinator available 24/7, we ensure you can focus entirely on your treatment, not the logistics.
Albania's accredited fertility clinics offer the same technology and success rates as Western Europe, at a fraction of the cost. Most patients complete an IVF cycle — including accommodation, transfers and all medical fees — for significantly less than a single cycle at home.
Book a free consultation with our specialists — no obligation, just clarity.
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