Updated by the Progyny Editorial Team — September 2025.
In vitro fertilization (IVF) has transformed fertility care, offering hope to many people navigating infertility. Since the late 1970s, IVF has become one of the most common fertility treatments worldwide.
Still, understanding when IVF is recommended, how it works, and what affects success can be complicated. Dr. Paul Dudley, Reproductive Endocrinologist with Pinnacle Fertility Atlanta, helps shed light on the ins and outs of IVF.
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a fertility treatment that helps people become pregnant when it hasn’t been possible through other means. IVF combines eggs and sperm in a laboratory to create embryos. Once an embryo develops, your reproductive endocrinologist (REI) places it into the uterus with the goal of starting a pregnancy.
The process involves several steps: stimulating the ovaries to produce multiple eggs, retrieving those eggs, fertilizing them with sperm, and then transferring an embryo. Because the entire process happens outside the body and then back in, IVF can overcome barriers like blocked fallopian tubes, low sperm count, or unexplained infertility.
IVF isn’t the first line of treatment for all infertility issues, but it may be recommended in these situations:
Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes make it difficult for an egg to meet sperm or for an embryo to travel to the uterus, so IVF bypasses the tubes and places embryos directly into the uterus.
IVF begins with medications that stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. These medications act like natural hormones, including follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and human chorionic gonadotropin. They are usually given as self-injections.
The goal is to retrieve several mature eggs at once, since having more eggs available can increase the chance of pregnancy.
Egg retrieval, also called oocyte retrieval or follicle aspiration, is performed under sedation or anesthesia. A thin needle is guided through the vaginal wall into the ovaries to collect the fluid containing the eggs. The procedure usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes, and you can go home the same day.
After the egg retrieval procedure, your eggs are transferred to the embryology laboratory for insemination. There are two main ways that eggs are fertilized in IVF:
The resulting embryos are monitored in the lab for several days. Some are assessed and transferred earlier, around day 3. More often, embryos are grown until day 5 or 6, when they reach the blastocyst stage.
At the blastocyst stage, embryos may be:
Embryos are given a grade that helps the care team estimate their chance of implanting in the uterus. Grading is only about short-term development and does not predict a child’s future health, traits, or abilities
After about two weeks, you’ll return to your clinic for a blood test to check for pregnancy. This test is more accurate than at-home tests because it measures the exact level of pregnancy hormone in your blood. Your care team may repeat the test a few days later to confirm the results and plan your next steps.
IVF success rates depend on your age, the cause of infertility, embryo quality, and clinic expertise. On average, IVF leads to pregnancy in about 30% to 60% of cycles. Younger people and those using donor eggs often have higher rates.
Other factors that affect outcomes include:
Your REI can help you understand how these factors apply to you.
IVF has helped many people build their families, but the process can be physically and emotionally challenging.
IVF may be an option if other approaches haven’t worked. Your chances of success can depend on things like your age, embryo quality, health history, and lifestyle. Talking with an REI is the best way to learn how IVF may fit your goals.
If you have questions or concerns, Progyny is here for you. Please contact your Progyny Care Advocate for support.
Disclaimer: The information provided by Progyny is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance.