What to Expect During Your IVF Journey: A Step-by-Step Guide

Embarking on your IVF journey is a big step full of mixed emotions. You may feel hopeful, excited, and even overwhelmed about what to expect during your IVF treatment. From the initial consultation in Miami to hormone injections, egg retrieval, fertilization, and embryo transfer, each stage brings you one step closer to your goal of growing your family. Understanding each of these stages, having the right support system, and having a compassionate, knowledgeable medical team can help you feel more comfortable and prepared for your journey ahead. 

At Chedid Grieco, we’ve spent 30 years helping individuals and couples grow their families through cutting-edge fertility treatments. With nearly 9,000 babies born, our personalized approach ensures that every IVF journey is tailored to your unique needs. As an FDA- and NYDH-licensed clinic, we provide a high standard of care for U.S. patients, offering advanced reproductive techniques in a supportive environment. Our consultations take place in Miami, with treatments conducted in Brazil, giving you access to world-class fertility care.

What Is the IVF Process Like?

Simply put, IVF, or in vitro fertilization, is the process of taking eggs and sperm outside of the body and bringing them together in a laboratory. If they fertilize and an embryo forms, we then take the embryo and implant it into the uterus, where it will hopefully thrive and grow into a healthy baby. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, over 99% of all assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures are through IVF. This process is broken down into specific stages to help intended parents achieve pregnancy. 

While everyone’s journey is different and unique to their circumstances, the process generally follows a set path that begins with an initial consultation. Each step plays a vital role in increasing your chances of a successful pregnancy. 

1. Initial Consultation and Evaluation

While your IVF treatment is performed in Brazil, your journey will begin with an initial consultation in Miami. This includes an in-depth discussion of your lifestyle, health history, and any previous fertility treatments you’ve had. You will also go through a series of fertility tests to assess your ovarian health and your partner’s sperm quality and function. Your doctor will create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your fertility needs using this information.

2. Ovarian Stimulation 

After your consultation and evaluation, you will be prescribed self-administered injections to help stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple eggs. While the idea of injections may sound overwhelming, our compassionate team is here to walk you through every step of the process to ensure you have the best resources and support available. 

3. Egg Retrieval

During egg retrieval, you will be put under conscious sedation to make your procedure as comfortable and stress-free as possible. Your doctor will use an ultrasound-guided needle to precisely extract the eggs from your ovaries. After your procedure, you may feel groggy and bloated, but recovery is typically quick. 

4. Fertilization and Embryo Development

Your eggs are then combined with sperm in a laboratory setting to encourage fertilization. The embryos will be monitored over the next three to five days to monitor their growth. Unfortunately, not all eggs will fertilize and become embryos. The wait may be stressful, but we are here to keep you updated on the progress of your developing embryos.

5. Embryo Transfer

If your embryos develop, the healthiest embryo with the best chance of survival will be transferred directly into your uterus using ultrasound guidance. This procedure is typically painless. Additional embryos may be frozen at this stage of the process for future use.

6. Two-Week Wait and Pregnancy Test

About two weeks after your embryo transfer, you will have a blood test to confirm if the procedure resulted in a pregnancy. You may experience mild bleeding and discomfort during this waiting period. 

If you have any questions about the IVF process, please contact us at Chedid Grieco to schedule your Miami consultation and begin your journey to growing your family. 

Your IVF Journey Starts With Chedid Grieco

Navigating IVF can feel overwhelming, but at Chedid Grieco, we guide you every step of the way with personalized care and leading reproductive technology. With nearly 9,000 babies born, we offer trusted expertise, FDA- and NYDH-licensed services, and a commitment to accessible, compassionate fertility care. Our team ensures that your journey is as stress-free as possible, from consultation to embryo transfer, always prioritizing your needs and success.

We’re proud to support all families, including LGBTQI+ couples, with individualized treatment plans designed to maximize your chances of pregnancy. With consultations in Miami and treatments in Brazil, we make world-class fertility care accessible to you. Schedule your consultation today by calling (305) 912-0050 or filling out our contact form.