Infographic
An IVF cycle follows the same stages wherever it happens: tests, medicines to control and then boost egg production, monitoring scans, egg collection, fertilisation in the laboratory and embryo transfer. For couples travelling to India, some early steps can be done at home. The clinic must be registered under the ART Act. Surrogacy is not available to foreign nationals.
IndiaMedicaAn IVF cycle in India, stage by stage- Before travelTests and records sharedHormone and ultrasound reports, semen analysis and any previous IVF records go to the clinic for review.
- Stage 1Natural cycle suppressedDaily medicine stops the ovaries producing eggs naturally, as the clinic directs.
- Stage 2Egg supply boostedDaily injections increase the number of eggs. Scans and tests check progress.
- Stage 3Egg collectionA doctor collects eggs with a fine needle, usually under sedation. A sperm sample is given.
- Stage 4Fertilisation in laboratoryEggs are fertilised in the laboratory. The clinic reports how many embryos develop.
- Stage 5Embryo transferAn embryo is placed in the womb through a thin tube.
- HomeFollow-up with your doctorFollow the clinic’s instructions and share results with your doctor at home.
What is IVF?
The NHS describes IVF as a fertility treatment where eggs are fertilised with sperm in a laboratory and an embryo is then placed in the womb. The stages run in order: suppressing the natural cycle, boosting egg supply, collecting eggs, fertilising them and transferring an embryo. Scans and tests check how the medicines are working along the way.
Which stages can happen before travel?
IndiaMedica’s fertility page notes that the number of trips depends on the protocol your clinic recommends and that some steps can be done at home before travel. Ask the clinic which medicines and scans can start at home and which must happen in India. Egg collection and embryo transfer happen at the clinic.
What does Indian law say?
- Fertility clinics must be registered under the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act 2021.
- IndiaMedica helps you check a clinic’s registration before you proceed.
- The Surrogacy (Regulation) Act 2021 defines a couple as a legally married Indian man and woman and prohibits commercial surrogacy.
- Surrogacy is therefore not available to foreign nationals, and IndiaMedica does not provide or refer for it.
What should couples prepare?
Bring hormone profile and ultrasound reports, semen analysis, records of any previous IVF cycles and marriage and identity documents. Both partners may need to travel for parts of the cycle. Ask the clinic when each partner must be present.
The clinic sets the plan
Protocols differ from couple to couple. Your fertility specialist decides the medicines, the timing and whether embryos are transferred fresh or frozen.
Questions people ask
Can we freeze embryos in India and transfer them later?
Many clinics offer embryo freezing and frozen embryo transfer. Ask the clinic how frozen embryos are stored, what consent forms cover them and what the rules are on moving them. Get the answers in writing before you start.
Do both partners need to be in India?
Often yes, at least for part of the cycle. A sperm sample is usually given around the time of egg collection unless donor sperm is used. Ask the clinic which stages need each partner present.
Sources
General information, not medical or legal advice. Rules change: confirm with the official source. How we write and check.