Ovarian stimulation for IVF is often the first step on the path to parenthood

As you prepare to undergo an IVF cycle, you’ll become very familiar with ovarian stimulation for IVF. This is the first step of in vitro fertilization, and the goal is to safely produce as many mature eggs as possible. To do so, your Austin IVF doctor at Texas Fertility Center will prescribe fertility medications called gonadotropins and carefully monitor you while you take them.

What are gonadotropins?

Gonadotropins are fertility medications that contain follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and/or luteinizing hormone (LH). These medications stimulate follicular development in the ovaries. The follicles are the fluid-filled sacs that contain the eggs.

During a typical menstrual cycle, your body has multiple eggs ready for ovulation. However, only one is typically released each month. This is because your pituitary gland naturally releases FSH and LH in specific amounts and at specific times.

Because gonadotropins contain different amounts of these hormones, a woman taking them will develop and mature multiple eggs during the same cycle. This is ideal for ovarian stimulation for IVF.

How does ovarian stimulation for IVF work?

To start a gonadotrophin cycle, you’ll visit your Austin IVF doctor for an ultrasound at the beginning of your menstrual cycle. If the ultrasound shows no cysts on your ovaries, your doctor will ask you to take a single gonadotrophin injection each day. To help you feel confident giving injections, you will receive training and ongoing support from our nurses.

While you’re taking gonadotropins, you’ll visit our office every two to three days for monitoring with bloodwork and ultrasounds. The results will help your Austin IVF doctor determine whether he or she needs to make changes to your medication dosage. They will also let your doctor know when your largest follicles are mature.

When your follicles are mature, meaning they are typically 19 to 20 mm in diameter, your doctor will order a trigger shot of hCG or Ovidrel. This shot will trigger the eggs to come out of the follicles (ovulate). You’ll then visit your doctor 35 hours later for an egg retrieval procedure.

Experience never mattered more

Ovarian stimulation for IVF is clearly an important step on your journey to welcome a healthy baby. That’s why you want to select a fertility clinic that has the expertise to successfully manage your treatment cycle. Texas Fertility Center has been helping patients become parents since 1980. During that time, our doctors have helped bring 25,000 babies into the world. We would love for you to be our next success story.

Contact us if you’d like to schedule an appointment or learn more about in vitro fertilization with our team.