IVF abroad, how many trips and how many days you need

The stages of an IVF cycle

IVF follows a fixed order of steps. It starts with tests for both partners, such as hormone tests and an ultrasound for the woman and a semen analysis for the man. Then comes ovarian stimulation, usually daily hormone injections for about one to two weeks, so that several eggs mature at the same time. During this period the growth of the follicles is checked with ultrasound scans and sometimes blood tests. When the follicles are large enough, a final trigger injection prepares the eggs, and egg collection is booked for a precise time afterwards.

Egg collection is a short procedure with a thin needle, usually under sedation, and most women go back to their accommodation the same day. The eggs are fertilised in the laboratory, either by standard IVF or by ICSI, and the clinic reports the next day how many have fertilised. The embryos grow in the laboratory for two to six days. One embryo is then transferred to the uterus, usually two to five days after collection, or suitable embryos are frozen for later use. The pregnancy test follows roughly two weeks after the transfer, on a date set by the clinic.

Which stages need you at the clinic

Some steps can only be done at the treating clinic. Egg collection, fertilisation in the laboratory and embryo transfer all take place there, and the final scans before the trigger injection are usually done by the same team, because they decide the timing of egg collection. The first consultation and the examination by the treating doctor are also normally held in person, even when recent results have been sent in advance. These steps define the minimum time the woman needs to spend in Baku.

Other steps can often begin at home if the clinic agrees. Many tests for both partners can be done locally before the trip and the results sent for review. Some women start the stimulation injections at home and have the first monitoring scans with a local doctor, who sends the images and results to the clinic. This shortens the stay but requires good communication, because the treating specialist must see each result in time to adjust the doses. Whether this is possible in your case is decided by the clinic.

Planning a fresh transfer in one trip

In a fresh cycle, stimulation, egg collection and embryo transfer happen in one continuous stretch, so everything is planned as a single trip. The woman usually needs to be in Baku for about two to three weeks, depending on whether stimulation starts there or at home and on how her ovaries respond. The exact date of egg collection is known only near the end of stimulation. For this reason it helps to keep the return flight flexible or to book a ticket whose date can be changed.

After the transfer, most women can fly home a day or two later, but the treating doctor decides when travel is suitable. A fresh transfer is not always possible, even when it was planned. If the ovaries respond very strongly and there is a risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, or if hormone results on the trigger day are not favourable, the doctor may recommend freezing all the embryos and transferring one later. Couples should keep this possibility in mind when planning their dates and leave from work.

Frozen embryo transfer and a second trip

With a frozen embryo transfer, the cycle is divided into two parts. The first trip covers the final part of stimulation and egg collection, after which the embryos are frozen. Because there is no transfer at the end, this first stay is sometimes a little shorter. The couple then returns home, and the woman rests and recovers before the next step. Some couples choose this approach from the start, and in other cases the doctor recommends it for medical reasons, for example to lower the risk of hyperstimulation or when a protocol is used in which all embryos must be frozen.

The second trip is planned for a later cycle, when the lining of the uterus is ready. If periods are regular, the transfer may be timed to natural ovulation, with scans or tests to find the right day. If not, medicines are used to prepare the lining, and part of this preparation and monitoring can often be done at home in agreement with the clinic. The second stay is usually much shorter than the first, because only the final checks and the transfer itself take place in Baku. The treating specialist decides which method suits you and how many days to plan.

What the male partner needs to do

The male partner takes part from the very beginning. Before the trip he usually provides a semen analysis and infection screening, and these results help the doctor choose between standard IVF and ICSI. His main day at the clinic is the day of egg collection, when he usually gives a fresh sperm sample so that the eggs can be fertilised within hours. This is why most partners plan to be in Baku for a few days around egg collection rather than for the whole stimulation period.

In some situations the clinic may suggest freezing a sperm sample in advance, for example when producing a sample on the day may be difficult. If sperm needs to be retrieved surgically, a urologist plans this step separately and explains the timing. Both partners are usually asked to sign consent forms, and the clinic explains the legal requirements and the documents needed before treatment starts. It is wise to bring identity documents and any papers the clinic asks for, so that the paperwork does not delay the cycle.

Care after you return home

Most of the waiting happens at home. After the transfer, the woman usually continues medicines that support the lining of the uterus, such as progesterone, for as long as the doctor prescribes. Before leaving, ask for a written report of the cycle with the medicines, the number of eggs and embryos, details of any frozen embryos and the planned date of the pregnancy test. Keep a copy for your own doctor, because further care, including early pregnancy scans, usually continues in your home country.

Do not take a pregnancy test earlier than the date you were given, because an early result may be wrong. Contact the clinic and your local doctor at once in case of severe abdominal pain, marked bloating, breathlessness, vomiting or bleeding, as these can be signs of hyperstimulation or other complications. MedAzerbaijan can send your documents for review by a doctor before travel, prepare a written estimate, help with the visa, transfers, accommodation and an interpreter, and pass your results and questions to the treating doctor after you return home.

Frequently asked questions