IVF Treatment in Antalya

What Is IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)?

To answer the question “What is IVF?”: it is the fertilization of female and male reproductive cells outside the body. In 1978, the first baby conceived through IVF, Louise Brown, was born in the United Kingdom. For those wondering what IVF means, IVF is the abbreviation of “In Vitro Fertilization,” which is the English term for IVF treatment. In Turkey, as in the rest of the world, developments in IVF continue rapidly, and thanks to this method, thousands of couples fulfill their dream of becoming parents. For those who want to learn more about IVF, this treatment method offers hope to couples experiencing infertility.

How Long Does IVF Treatment Take?

“How long does IVF treatment take?” is one of the most frequently asked questions. Depending on the woman’s menstrual cycle, treatment may take approximately 3 to 6 weeks on average. The IVF process includes stages such as ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, fertilization, and embryo transfer. Medication started on day 2 or 3 of the menstrual cycle usually continues for about 10–12 days. Then, egg retrieval is performed and embryo transfer takes place 3 to 5 days later. After the transfer, a pregnancy test is performed within 10 days. Although it is difficult to give an exact answer, including preparations and check-ups, the process takes about 1 month on average. However, the duration may vary depending on individual circumstances.

How Does the IVF Process Work?

To answer the question “How does the IVF process work and what are the stages?” IVF consists of 3 main stages. The first stage begins with stimulating the ovaries with medications to produce multiple eggs. The second stage is collecting these eggs and fertilizing them in the laboratory to create embryos. The third stage is transferring the fertilized embryos into the uterus. A pregnancy test is performed 10–12 days after the transfer. To get more detailed information about how IVF works, you can watch our video. The patient is closely monitored throughout all stages and the necessary support is provided at every step.

When Is IVF Performed?

The question “When is IVF performed?” is important for couples who are curious about timing. Treatment usually starts on the 2nd or 3rd day of the woman’s menstrual cycle. When deciding the timing of IVF, the couple’s age, the cause of infertility, and overall health status are evaluated. Your specialist will provide the most accurate answer based on your specific situation.

Preparing for IVF Treatment

Things to do in preparation for treatment:

• If you smoke, you should quit. Alcohol should be avoided. Caffeinated beverages should not exceed 200 mg per day.
• Weight control should be maintained. Being overweight or underweight may reduce the chances of pregnancy.
• A multivitamin containing folic acid and, if necessary, antioxidant supplements should be started.
• Effective communication can reduce stress and anxiety; professional support should be sought when needed.
• Pay attention to a regular sleep routine.
• A Mediterranean-style diet may be beneficial. Avoid processed foods and consume plenty of greens, fruits, and vegetables.
• Required pre-treatment laboratory tests should be completed (hormone tests, Hepatitis B–Hepatitis C screening, HIV, Rubella IgG, blood count, ferritin, blood type, vitamin D, blood glucose, etc.).

What Are the Signs of Implantation After Embryo Transfer?

Although implantation signs after embryo transfer may provide clues, they can vary from one woman to another. Pregnancy symptoms in IVF typically begin 6–10 days after transfer. Successful implantation occurs during this period. Possible signs include mild groin and abdominal pain, breast tenderness, and light spotting-type bleeding. Symptoms that may be seen include:

• Mild groin and abdominal pain
• Breast tenderness or a feeling of fullness
• Light spotting-type bleeding (implantation bleeding)
• Slight increase in body temperature
• Fatigue, dizziness, or emotional fluctuations

These signs do not always guarantee pregnancy. A definitive result requires a blood pregnancy test (beta-hCG) performed 10 days after transfer. Even if symptoms are not present, the test may still be positive, so it is important to wait for the test.

Medications Used in IVF Treatment

Medications used in IVF aim to stimulate the ovaries to develop multiple eggs. Although it varies by treatment protocol, the most commonly used medication groups are:

• Ovarian stimulants: injections containing FSH and LH hormones
• Ovulation triggers: hCG-containing medications
• GnRH analogs: used to prevent premature ovulation
• Progesterone support: supports the uterine environment after embryo transfer

In answering questions such as “How is IVF done?”, the medication protocol is central to the treatment plan and is tailored individually.

What Are the Success Factors in IVF Treatment?

IVF success depends on many factors, including choosing the best IVF doctor. The following factors significantly affect the chances of pregnancy:

• Woman’s age: success rates are higher in women under 35
• Egg and sperm quality
• Embryo quality and the number of embryos transferred
• Presence of structural problems in the uterus
• IVF center and physician experience
• Nutrition, stress, sleep, and lifestyle factors

The best IVF doctor follows the patient closely at every stage and creates a personalized treatment plan. While success rates vary by individual, under appropriate conditions, fertilization rates can reach 60–70% and pregnancy rates can reach 40–50%. When researching the best IVF doctor, the specialist’s experience and patient satisfaction are important criteria.

How Is IVF Treatment Performed?

Ovarian Stimulation

The first stage of IVF treatment is ovarian stimulation. The average duration of this part of the process is 10–12 days. On the 2nd or 3rd day of menstruation, an ultrasound examination and blood hormone tests are performed, and the medication dose is determined. Patients are informed about the process, and daily injections to stimulate follicle growth are administered subcutaneously at the same time each day, about four finger-widths from the navel. With special training provided in our clinic, many patients can administer injections at home. For those who cannot, injections are performed at our clinic by our experienced IVF nurses. On specific days, the patient is called in for follow-up visits. During these visits, vaginal ultrasound is used to monitor the number and size of developing follicles (fluid-filled sacs containing the eggs). Estrogen levels in the blood may also be measured. The goal is to obtain as many follicles as possible with a diameter of 16–20 mm. When follicles reach sufficient size, an hCG and/or GnRHa injection (trigger shot) is given to support egg maturation. Egg retrieval is performed 34–36 hours after the trigger shot.

Egg Retrieval (OPU)

Egg retrieval (oocyte pickup-OPU) is the procedure of entering the ovary with a needle under vaginal ultrasound guidance and aspirating fluid-filled structures called follicles that contain the eggs. This is a crucial step in the IVF process. It is usually performed under general anesthesia, though local anesthesia may be used in some cases. The OPU procedure takes about 10–15 minutes. Unfortunately, an egg may not be obtained from every follicle. Generally, eggs are found in about 70% of follicles. A few hours after retrieval, the eggs are evaluated to determine whether they are mature. Mature eggs undergo fertilization using conventional IVF or ICSI. The patient is discharged after resting for about 2 hours following the procedure.

Information Before Egg Retrieval

• Injections must be administered on the specified day and time.
• From 00:00 (midnight) before the procedure, you must not consume any food or drinks (including small amounts of water, gum, and cigarettes).
• Please be at our clinic 30 minutes before your appointment time.
• Do not drive on the day of the procedure, as you will receive anesthesia.
• On the day of the procedure, you must come with an adult companion.
• Do not bring valuables. Do not keep credit cards, cash, or valuables with you; remove jewelry such as rings and necklaces.
• Please take a shower at home before coming.

Attention!: The dose and timing of the medication used for egg maturation are very important. In case of any mistake, egg retrieval may be unsuccessful and may result in no eggs being obtained.

Day of the Procedure

Anesthesia Information

• Do not eat, drink, or smoke for 6 hours before the procedure.
• If you have medications you use regularly, take them as recommended by the anesthesiologist.
• If you have a feverish illness, inform the anesthesiologist before the procedure.

Immediately Before the Procedure

• Go to the restroom and empty your bladder
• Remove dentures if you have them
• Remove contact lenses if you have them
• Remove your watch and jewelry
• Remove makeup and nail polish

After the Procedure You will rest until you fully recover. You will be informed about what to do after the procedure, and then you may leave the clinic. For 12 hours after the procedure:

• Do not drive!
• Avoid activities that require attention!

At Home

• You may experience groin pain and a small amount of bleeding after egg retrieval.
• Rest is important after egg retrieval. Therefore, avoid heavy and tiring work.
• If you have pain, you may use painkillers recommended by your doctor.
• Call your doctor if you have fever, nausea, vomiting, or severe pain.
• You may shower at any time.
• Although a special diet is not necessary, try to drink plenty of fluids.
• Do not consume alcohol.
• Sexual abstinence is recommended for a period after OPU. The uterus and ovaries may be sensitive after the procedure, and avoiding sexual activity may reduce the risk of infection.
• Call us without delay if you have severe and persistent groin pain, nausea, vomiting, or heavy vaginal bleeding…

Providing a Sperm Sample

There is no harm in continuing your normal sexual life until the trigger shot is given. Sexual intercourse is not recommended from after the trigger shot until egg retrieval. In addition, sexual abstinence longer than one week is not preferred, as it negatively affects sperm quality. A sperm sample is also collected from the male partner during egg retrieval. The sample is obtained by masturbation in a specially prepared room and collected into a sterile container. Substances such as soap or saliva should not be used. Bringing a sample from home is not recommended except in special situations.

Sperm Preparation

Sperm samples undergo various processes to identify normal and motile sperm. In conventional IVF, 25,000–75,000 sperm are placed for each egg and fertilization is expected to occur. In ICSI, a single sperm is injected into each egg under a microscope.

Fertilization – IVF – ICSI

Fertilization occurs through conventional IVF or ICSI. In the IVF process, this takes place approximately 2–4 hours after egg retrieval. In conventional IVF, sperm placed near the eggs are expected to fertilize the egg spontaneously and is used when the male partner’s sperm parameters are normal. With the help of a special device called a micromanipulator, a single sperm is injected into the egg. This method is preferred in cases of low sperm parameters or recurrent IVF failure. Fertilization occurs in about 12–15 hours and is confirmed under a microscope. Fertilized eggs are monitored until the time of transfer. In some cases, fertilization may not occur or a healthy embryo may not develop; in such cases, transfer will be cancelled. Fertilization rates and the quality and number of developing embryos will be shared with you by your physician. Approximately 70% of retrieved eggs are mature and suitable for fertilization, and about 70% of those will fertilize.

When Is the Pregnancy Test Done After IVF Treatment?

A blood pregnancy test (beta-hCG) is performed on the 10th day after transfer. Those with a positive result are called back two days later for another blood pregnancy test. In a healthy pregnancy, the beta-hCG value should approximately double after two days. If beta-hCG values do not rise regularly, follow-up is done with serial beta-hCG tests. One week later, the patient is called for the first pregnancy ultrasound. At the first ultrasound, the gestational sac and whether there is a multiple pregnancy can be seen. Bleeding does not necessarily mean there is no pregnancy. A definitive diagnosis is made with a blood pregnancy test. In biochemical pregnancy or ectopic pregnancy, the gestational sac is not seen. This distinction can be made with serial beta-hCG and ultrasound follow-up. If the pregnancy test is negative: Although a negative result is disappointing, it is not the end of the world. Remember that in IVF, pregnancy rates per attempt do not exceed 50% worldwide even under the best conditions.

IVF Prices in Antalya

IVF treatment prices vary depending on the treatment protocol, medications used, additional services such as embryo freezing and genetic tests, and the couple’s individual health status. The technological infrastructure of the center and the experience of the healthcare team are also important factors affecting cost. When choosing an IVF center in Antalya, the center’s success rates, the experience of the medical team, and the support services provided throughout the process should be considered. For clear and personalized information about IVF prices, the most accurate approach is to consult directly with specialists providing IVF services in Antalya. To receive detailed information about IVF prices and to create a personalized treatment plan, you can contact Dr. Melek Büyükkınacı, an Obstetrics, Gynecology, and IVF Specialist with many years of successful experience in Antalya. With her experienced team, Dr. Büyükkınacı will be happy to plan the most suitable treatment process for you.