Our IVF doctors at the Advanced Fertility Clinic of Texas take you through each step of the IVF treatment process, ensuring you feel informed and supported every step of the way. Here’s an overview of the typical IVF journey.

Step 1: Initial Consultation

Your journey with in vitro fertilization (IVF) begins with an in-depth consultation with a skilled and experienced IVF specialist located in Houston, Spring, and The Woodlands, Texas. During this consultation, we assess your health history and discuss your fertility concerns and design a personalized treatment plan. We understand that convenience is key, which is why we have three easily accessible locations to serve you.

Our Locations

• Along Katy Freeway near Memorial City
• The Woodlands/Spring area
• College Station
• Out of State: If you’re unable to visit in person, we offer virtual consultations via Telemed so you can receive professional advice from home.
  
  

Step 2: Baseline Ultrasound for IVF

A baseline ultrasound is an initial step in each IVF cycle. This procedure checks for cysts on the ovaries. By ensuring there are no cysts, the ultrasound confirms that you are ready to begin your treatment.

Step 3: Ovarian Stimulation with Gonadotropins

You will start hormone injections to help your ovaries make more eggs. We will do regular blood tests and follicular ultrasounds to check your progress. Our fertility team in Texas will adjust your medication based on these results to increase your chances of success with IVF. Hormones include Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Estradiol (E2), Progesterone (P4), and Luteinizing Hormone (LH). Information from ultrasounds, medication management, and hormone blood tests helps us create a plan to boost your success in addition many of our patients follow a Fertility-Focused Wellness plan.

Step 4: hCG Trigger Shot

The hCG trigger shot is important for getting ready for egg retrieval. When your eggs are mature, you will receive instructions. This injection completes the maturation of your eggs, making sure they are fully developed and ready for collection. It prepares for a successful egg retrieval, a key part of many fertility treatments. Generally, the egg retrieval is planned about 36 hours after the injection.

Step 5: IVF Egg Retrieval

To keep you comfortable during the egg retrieval procedure, you will receive sedation through general anesthesia. The procedure is fairly straightforward and usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. During this time, your doctor will use a special needle, with the help of ultrasound, to gently collect mature eggs from your ovaries. This procedure takes place at our fertility clinic in Houston, Texas. Afterward, the eggs are given to the IVF laboratory for fertilization.

Step 6: Egg Fertilization and Embryo Culture

Eggs are collected and fertilized with sperm in our on-site, state-of-the-art Omni Med Laboratory in Texas, utilizing Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) for optimal fertilization. This advanced technique involves injecting a single sperm directly into each mature egg, enhancing the chances of successful fertilization, especially in cases of male factor infertility. Notably, Dr. Dmitri Dozortsev is recognized as a pioneer in ICSI, being the first to introduce this groundbreaking technique to the United States. The embryos are cultivated for 3 to 5 days, while our skilled Embryology team carefully monitors them. Following this, they undergo cryopreservation, meaning they are frozen for use or transfer at a later time. Advanced techniques like genetic testing (PGT-A or PGD) can be performed during this stage to screen for genetic abnormalities or specific genetic diseases.

Step 7: Embryo Development and Transfer

At our clinic, we offer the advanced “Freeze All” method, a proven IVF strategy that significantly enhances your chances of a successful pregnancy. After egg retrieval, all embryos are frozen and preserved rather than transferred immediately. This approach allows your body to fully recover from the stimulation process, reducing the risk of complications like ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). By waiting until your body is in the best possible condition, we can transfer the healthiest embryos at the optimal time, improving the likelihood of a successful pregnancy. Our clinic uses the most advanced IVF techniques, combined with personalized care, to ensure you receive the best treatment tailored to your needs. With the “Freeze All” method, we give you the time and support necessary for the healthiest, most successful outcome possible.