IVF in 10 steps.
In vitro fertilisation (IVF, assisted reproduction) involves many different treatment steps, which we would like to walk you through on this page.
Your journey to your longed-for baby – the 10 steps of IVF.
Booking your appointment
Is your longed-for baby keeping you waiting? Don't hesitate any longer and book an appointment at the WIF – or attend a free information evening first: every month we offer a general one-hour group information evening as well as personal 15-minute orientation talks.
Would you rather not wait? Then arrange your personal initial consultation by phone in Vienna on +43 1 877 77 75, in Baden on +43 2252 206857 or via our contact form.
Preliminary examinations
Ideally, you will bring all documents and previous test results to your initial consultation. A semen analysis and the woman's blood test (hormone levels, cycle-dependent) are important preliminary examinations that you are also welcome to have carried out with us. Our team at the information desk will be happy to assist you.
Initial consultation
We get to know each other and develop your individual treatment plan based on the available test results. In a first personal consultation, you will receive comprehensive advice and information: together we analyse your situation and suggest the method best suited to your individual needs. Rest assured that our team of doctors, laboratory specialists and assistants will explore every possibility to make your wish come true.
Ovarian stimulation
With hormone injections that you can easily administer yourself at home, your ovaries are stimulated so that several eggs mature. FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinising hormone) are used in pure form or as a combination preparation – daily, always at the same time of day.
How to use the medications is explained and demonstrated in detail at the start of treatment and can be carried out by the patient herself or by her partner, so daily visits to the doctor are not necessary. You will find explanatory videos on the medications in our video library.
Stimulation ultrasound
Close ultrasound monitoring allows the number of follicles, their growth and the build-up of the uterine lining to be observed precisely. Once the follicles have reached a certain size, ovulation is triggered with the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). This makes it possible to determine the optimal time for egg retrieval, shortly before ovulation.
Egg retrieval
36 hours after the "trigger injection", the eggs are retrieved through the vagina on an outpatient basis. They are then transferred under the microscope to a special culture medium and incubated at 37 °C.
The egg retrieval takes only about 5–15 minutes, depending on the number of follicles. To make the procedure easier, our patients receive a combination of sedatives and painkillers. The treatment is performed on an outpatient basis – all that is required is an observation period of 1 to 2 hours in our recovery rooms.
Fertilisation
The retrieved eggs are fertilised on the same day. The sperm obtained by masturbation are brought together with the eggs in a small dish after a special preparation technique – fertilisation takes place the "natural" way.
The next day, it is checked under the microscope how many of the eggs actually show signs of fertilisation.
Embryo transfer
2–5 days after fertilisation, 1–2 embryos are placed into the uterus under ultrasound guidance using a thin, flexible catheter. The day on which the embryo transfer takes place depends on the number of fertilised eggs; the embryos of the best quality are selected for transfer.
Placing the embryos takes only a few minutes and is generally painless.
Pregnancy test
At the earliest two weeks after the transfer, a pregnancy can be confirmed by detecting the pregnancy hormone hCG. The probability of becoming pregnant through IVF treatment at the Wunschbaby Institut Feichtinger is approximately 72 %.
You will find an explanatory video on how to carry out the pregnancy test in our video library.
Finally pregnant!
Ideally, the assisted reproduction worked the very first time and you will soon be holding your longed-for baby in your arms. The WIF is regarded as a pioneer of modern reproductive medicine and is one of the leading clinics worldwide – with our help, many thousands of children have already come into the world. Thank you for your trust!
Learn more about IVF
Would you like to understand the medical background in more detail? On our IVF page we explain indications, success rates and the procedure in depth.
Let's take the first step together.
Arrange a personal initial consultation or get to know us at a free information evening.
Or call us: +43 1 877 77 75