Preparing for your first IVF cycle: tips and insights

On this page:

Understanding the IVF process

How to prepare yourself emotionally for IVF

How to prepare yourself physically for IVF

Fertility tests: what to expect

IVF medication: what to expect

Planning your schedule around IVF

Getting your support system in place

Money, logistics and admin

Preparing for the two-week wait

After your first IVF cycle

Understanding the IVF process

Before you begin preparing for IVF, it helps to know what the process involves. IVF (in vitro fertilisation) is a fertility treatment where eggs are collected from the ovaries and fertilised with sperm in a lab. 

If embryos form, one or two  are transferred into the uterus in the hope they implant and lead to a pregnancy.

The typical IVF process includes:

• Fertility tests and screenings
  Before treatment starts, you and your partner (if applicable) will go through a series of tests. These are used to check your hormone levels, egg reserve, uterus and ovaries, and sperm quality. The results help your doctor decide on the best treatment plan for you.
• Ovarian stimulation using hormone medication
  You will take daily hormone injections for 8 to 14 days to stimulate your ovaries to produce more eggs than usual. The aim is to collect multiple mature eggs in one cycle to increase your chances of success.
• Monitoring via scans and blood tests
  During stimulation, your clinic will monitor your progress with ultrasound scans and blood tests. This helps track how your follicles are growing and when the eggs are likely to be ready for collection.
• Egg collection (retrieval)
  When your eggs are ready, you will have a minor procedure to collect them from your ovaries. This is usually done under sedation, and you can go home the same day.
• Fertilisation in the lab
  Your eggs are mixed with sperm (either your partner’s or a donor’s) in a lab to try and create embryos. In many  cases, a single sperm may be injected directly into the egg using a process called ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection).
• Embryo culture and selection
  Over the next few days, the lab will monitor how many embryos develop and how they are growing. The best quality embryos are chosen for transfer or can be frozen for future use.
• Embryo screening (if applicable)
  In some cases, embryos can be screened for genetic conditions before transfer. This is called PGT-A (preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies) or PGT-M (for specific genetic mutations). Screening can help identify embryos that are more likely to lead to a healthy pregnancy. Not everyone needs or chooses this step. Your doctor will guide you based on your history and treatment plan.
• Embryo transfer
  One (or sometimes two) embryos are placed into your uterus using a thin catheter. This is a quick and usually painless procedure, and you can resume normal activities afterwards unless advised otherwise.
• The two-week wait before your pregnancy test
  After transfer, you will wait around 12 to 14 days before taking a blood test to see if the embryo has implanted. This part can be emotionally tough, so it helps to plan gentle activities and support during this time.

Each step has its own timeline and can feel intense, especially when it is all new. That is why knowing how to prepare for IVF ahead of time can make you feel more steady and ready for what is coming.

For more information on the IVF process, read our Beginner’s Guide to IVF. 

How to prepare yourself emotionally for IVF

Starting IVF is not just a medical decision. It is an emotional experience too. For many people, this is not their first step on the fertility journey. You may already have faced months or years of disappointment. You might be grieving the fact that you need help to get pregnant at all.

According to Dr. Alexandra Grade Silva, psychologist at Ferticentro:

“All of these feelings are valid. Taking time to check in with yourself emotionally before your cycle begins is a big part of how to get ready for IVF.”

Dr. Alexandra Silva recommends these strategies for preparing yourself emotionally for your next IVF cycle:

1. Make space for your feelings

It is normal to feel hopeful one moment and overwhelmed the next. IVF can stir up emotions like excitement, guilt, fear, anger and sadness — sometimes all in one day. Rather than pushing those feelings aside, try to name them. Write them down. Say them out loud to someone you trust. You do not have to stay positive all the time. You just need to stay honest with yourself.

Dr. Alexandra Silva advises:

“Try not to judge your emotions as good or bad. They are messengers. The more you acknowledge them, the less power they hold over you.”

2. Talk to your partner (or your people)

If you have a partner, talk openly about how you are both feeling and what kind of support you need. You might find you have different coping styles — and that is okay. If you are doing IVF solo or with a donor, it can help to gather a small group of people who you can lean on when things get tough. You do not need a big circle — just a few people who will really show up.

Dr. Alexandra Silva recommends:

“Be clear about what kind of support you want. Some people are great at listening, others at being practical. Let your circle know what you need most.”

3. Set boundaries around advice and opinions

Once you start IVF, people might have a lot to say — especially if you have been open about your plans. Some might offer advice you did not ask for. Others might tell you to “just relax” or “trust the process.” It is okay to protect your space. You can say, “Thanks for caring, but I’m not looking for advice right now” or “We’ll share updates when we’re ready.”

Dr. Alexandra Silva says:

“Boundaries are a form of self-care. You are allowed to prioritise your wellbeing, especially during such a vulnerable time.”

4. Think about what will help you feel calm and grounded

Some people find strength in journaling. Others go for walks, meditate, do yoga or pick up a creative hobby. Whatever helps you feel like yourself, lean into it. Preparing emotionally for IVF is about giving yourself tools to come back to when things feel uncertain.

Dr. Alexandra Silva says:

“Even small daily rituals can give you a sense of control. Find something that helps you come home to yourself, especially on the harder days.”

How to prepare yourself physically for IVF

You do not need to eat perfectly, work out every day or live the world’s healthiest lifestyle to start IVF. But taking a few consistent steps to look after your body can help you feel more ready and support your treatment. If you are wondering how to prepare your body for IVF, here are a few things to consider:

1. Nutrition

Focus on a balanced, nourishing diet with:

• Whole grains, fruits and vegetables
• Healthy fats (like avocado, nuts and olive oil)
• Protein (from eggs, legumes, tofu, fish or lean meat)
• Plenty of water

If you have any deficiencies (like iron or vitamin D), talk to your doctor about supplements. You might also want to start a prenatal vitamin with folic acid at least 1–3 months before your cycle.

2. Exercise

Gentle, regular movement can support your circulation, reduce stress and help you sleep better. Think: walking, swimming, yoga or Pilates. During ovarian stimulation, your doctor might advise avoiding intense workouts or anything that risks twisting your ovaries.

3. Sleep

Try to get 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night. Good sleep helps regulate your hormones and supports your immune system. Start winding down earlier and creating a bedtime routine that helps you relax.

4. Reducing alcohol, caffeine and smoking

If you drink alcohol or smoke, it is best to stop before IVF. Both can affect egg quality, sperm quality and your chances of success. Moderate caffeine (one small coffee a day) is usually fine, but check with your doctor if you are unsure.

5. Managing underlying health issues

If you have any conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, thyroid issues or autoimmune disorders, talk to your doctor about how to manage them during IVF. Keeping these stable can improve your chances of success.

Understanding your overall health is just one part of getting ready. The next step is fertility testing — this gives your clinic a clearer picture of what is happening inside your body and helps shape your treatment plan.

Fertility tests: what to expect

Before your cycle starts, your clinic will run a series of fertility tests to get a clear picture of your reproductive health. These tests help your doctor decide on the right protocol and medication for you.

Here are some common tests to expect when preparing for IVF:

Blood tests to check hormone levels

These give your doctor insight into how your body is functioning hormonally. They usually include:

• AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone), which helps estimate your ovarian reserve (how many eggs you might have left)

• FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinising hormone), which show how your brain is communicating with your ovaries and whether you are ovulating regularly

• Oestradiol, a form of oestrogen that plays a key role in the development of eggs and the lining of your uterus

• Prolactin, a hormone that can interfere with ovulation if levels are too high

An ultrasound scan

This vaginal scan helps your doctor count the number of antral follicles (small sacs that may develop into mature eggs). It also checks the shape, position and lining of your uterus, and may detect conditions like fibroids, cysts or polyps.

Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) or saline scan

These are specialised scans used to check whether your uterus is clear and your fallopian tubes are open. An HSG uses dye and X-ray, while a saline scan (also called a sonohysterogram) uses sterile salt water and ultrasound. Even though IVF bypasses the fallopian tubes, knowing whether they are blocked or damaged can still influence treatment decisions.

Semen analysis (for couples using sperm)

If your partner is providing sperm, or you are using donor sperm, a semen analysis is done to assess sperm count, motility (how well they swim) and morphology (shape). This helps determine whether standard IVF or ICSI (where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg) is more suitable.

Infectious disease screening

You and your partner will also be tested for infections such as HIV, hepatitis B and C, and syphilis. These are standard safety checks to protect your health and ensure your gametas (sperm or eggs) and embryos can be handled safely in the lab.

Genetic screening or karyotyping

Taking genetic tests can feel like a lot to take in, especially if this is your first experience with fertility treatment. But they can play an important role in helping your clinic give you the best possible chance of success. Genetic tests can include:

•     Karyotyping, a blood test to look for chromosomal abnormalities that can be the cause of your infertility or pregnancy problems. This test is especially useful if there is a history of miscarriage or failed IVF cycles
•     Carrier screening, to check if you or your partner carry inherited conditions such as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell anaemia

IVF medication: what to expect

When you start your cycle, you will take hormone injections to stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple eggs. These injections are usually given daily for 8–14 days. 

You will be monitored closely with blood tests and ultrasounds.

Here are a few tips for getting used to the medication side of IVF:

• Learn how to give the injections ahead of time — your clinic will show you how
• Set reminders so you do not miss a dose
• Have a plan for dealing with side effects like bloating, mood swings or headaches
• Keep your medication cool if needed — check storage instructions
• Let your clinic know if you are feeling unwell or reacting badly to anything

The hormone changes can make you feel emotional, foggy or tired; that is normal. Be kind to yourself and try to take it one day at a time.

Planning your schedule around IVF

IVF takes time and can affect your usual routine. Preparing for IVF means looking ahead and seeing where you might need to adjust things.

• Work: Can you take time off for appointments, monitoring or egg collection? Some people take a few days off around retrieval and transfer, while others work through most of their cycle.
• Childcare: If you have children already, plan for extra support during the more intense parts of your cycle.
• Appointments: Keep a calendar or planner to track scan dates, medication schedules and clinic visits.

Try to build in pockets of rest where you can. IVF can be all-consuming. You will need space to breathe.

Getting your support system in place

One of the best ways to prepare for IVF is to surround yourself with people who understand what you are going through. This could include:

• A trusted friend or partner to come to key appointments
• A therapist who specialises in fertility or reproductive health
• Online forums or local support groups for IVF
• People who know when to offer help — and when to just listen

It is okay to ask for help. IVF is a medical treatment, not something you just push through on your own. 

Whether you need a lift to the clinic, someone to talk to during the two-week wait, or a friend to bring over dinner, let them in.

Money, logistics and admin

IVF can be expensive, especially if you need more than one cycle. Make sure you are clear on the costs, payment plans and what is covered.

• Ask your clinic for a detailed cost breakdown
• Check your insurance if you have it
• Set aside extra for medications, tests or unexpected add-ons
• Track receipts for tax or reimbursement purposes

Preparing for the two-week wait

The days after your embryo transfer can be the hardest part. You might feel anxious, hyper-aware of symptoms or tempted to test early. Here are some ways to make it more manageable:

• Plan gentle distractions: Books, TV shows, light walks, easy meals
• Avoid Googling every symptom
• Decide in advance if you want to test early or wait for the blood test
• Talk to someone you trust if you feel wobbly

You are not doing anything wrong by feeling hopeful. You are not doing anything wrong by feeling scared. You are in the thick of something incredibly human; waiting for life to begin.

After your first IVF cycle

No matter the outcome, your first IVF cycle is a big deal. It is physically demanding, emotionally intense and logistically complex. Whether you get a positive result or not, you have done something brave.

If your cycle does not lead to a pregnancy, take your time before deciding what comes next. 

You might want to speak with your doctor about adjustments for future cycles or take a break to regroup. If your cycle is successful, you will move into early pregnancy, with all its own ups and downs.

Either way, preparing for IVF is not just about one moment in time. It is about setting yourself up for the long haul, with support, self-compassion and information that helps you feel more in control.

Final thoughts

Preparing for IVF is a deeply personal experience. There is no perfect way to do it. But by taking steps to understand the process, care for your body, manage your emotions and set up practical support, you give yourself the best foundation possible.

This might be your first cycle, but it is also your first chance to show yourself just how strong and capable you really are.

If you are feeling unsure about where to begin, or just want to talk things through with someone who understands, you are welcome to get in touch with us at Ferticentro. We are here to listen, guide and support you at every stage of your journey.