Many couples come to us after years of trying, and after advice from family, friends, pastors and sometimes herbalists. By the time they sit down with us, they are tired and they want straight answers. This guide explains what actually happens during IVF, step by step, so you walk into the hospital knowing what to expect.
First, tests for both of you
IVF starts with tests, and both partners should be tested. In Ghana the woman is often blamed when a couple cannot conceive. That is wrong. Problems on the man's side play a part in a large share of cases, and a simple semen analysis at the start can save a couple years of the wrong treatment.
For the woman
- Your medical history and your menstrual cycle
- Hormone blood tests, including AMH, which gives an idea of your egg reserve
- A scan of the womb and ovaries, which also checks for fibroids
- A check of the fallopian tubes where needed
For the man
- Semen analysis: sperm count, movement and shape
- Hormone tests where the doctor needs them
For both
- Screening for HIV, hepatitis B and C, and syphilis, which every IVF laboratory requires
- Your genotype and blood group, if you do not already know them
IVF is not always the first step. Some couples need ovulation medicine, surgery for fibroids or blocked tubes, or a simpler treatment called IUI first. A good doctor will tell you if IVF is not yet necessary.
The IVF cycle, step by step
1. Stimulation (about 10 to 12 days)
You take daily hormone injections so your ovaries produce several eggs instead of the usual one. Most women learn to give the injections themselves at home. You come in for a scan and blood test every few days so the doctor can adjust the dose.
2. The trigger injection
When the eggs are ready, you take one final injection at an exact time, often late at night. The timing matters, so set an alarm and keep the instructions close.
3. Egg collection
About 36 hours after the trigger, the eggs are collected in a short procedure under sedation, usually 20 to 30 minutes. You go home the same day, but you should not drive, so come with someone. Your husband or partner gives a semen sample the same morning, unless frozen or donor sperm is being used.
4. Fertilisation in the laboratory
The embryologist puts the eggs and sperm together. Where sperm quality is low, a single sperm is injected into each egg, a method called ICSI. The next day the hospital tells you how many eggs fertilised.
5. Embryo growth (3 to 5 days)
The embryos grow in the laboratory for three to five days. Not every embryo keeps growing, and that is normal. Good embryos that are not transferred can be frozen for later.
6. Embryo transfer
The best embryo is placed in your womb through a thin tube. It takes a few minutes, feels similar to a smear test, and needs no anaesthesia. Many doctors now advise transferring one embryo at a time, because twins carry more risk for the mother and the babies.
7. The two week wait
About 10 to 14 days later, you take a blood pregnancy test. These two weeks are often the hardest part. You can carry on with normal light activity. Bed rest is not needed and does not improve the result.
How long it takes
One cycle takes about four to six weeks from the first injection to the pregnancy test. Expect several hospital visits in that time, most of them short early morning scans. If you work, plan around the visits early, and always allow for traffic.
Success rates: ask for your own number
Success depends mostly on the woman's age, the cause of infertility, and the quality of the embryos. Be careful with any hospital that puts one big percentage on a billboard or flyer. Ask instead: for a woman of my age, with my diagnosis, what is the chance per transfer here? A good doctor will answer that honestly.
Many couples need more than one cycle. Plan for that, emotionally and financially, from the start.
Paying for IVF
IVF is paid for privately in Ghana. The National Health Insurance Scheme does not cover infertility treatment, so check any private insurance you have, but do not assume it covers IVF. Before you start, get a written breakdown of everything: consultations, tests, medication, the procedure, embryo freezing, and what a second attempt would cost. Medication can be a large part of the bill, so ask about it specifically.
Looking after yourselves
IVF is hard on the body and on the heart. Many couples go through it quietly because of what family or church members might say. You do not owe anyone an explanation, but do not carry it completely alone. Tell one or two people you trust, and make use of counselling. It is part of good treatment, not a sign of weakness.
If you are taking any herbal mixture or supplement, tell your doctor before you start. Some herbs affect hormones and can interfere with your medication.
Where we fit in
We are a consultancy, not a hospital. The medical work above is done by licensed specialists and embryologists at our partner hospitals in Accra. Our role is to help you choose the right place, explain what the doctors tell you, keep everything coordinated, and stand with you from the first visit to the result.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Your own situation needs a proper assessment by a qualified doctor, which we arrange at our partner hospitals in Accra.
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