IVF Pregnancy Timeline: What to Expect Week by Week

When you go through IVF, in vitro fertilization, a medical process where eggs are fertilized outside the body and implanted into the uterus. Also known as test-tube baby treatment, it’s one of the most common ways people in India build families when natural conception isn’t working. But once the embryo is transferred, the journey doesn’t end—it just changes shape. The IVF pregnancy timeline follows a different rhythm than a naturally conceived one, and knowing what to expect can ease the anxiety of waiting.

After the embryo transfer, the first two weeks are a waiting game. Doctors call this the two-week wait, the period between embryo transfer and the first pregnancy test. During this time, your body is either accepting the embryo or not. No amount of bed rest or herbal tea changes the outcome—it’s all about biology, not effort. Around day 7 to 10, the embryo implants. By day 14, a blood test can detect hCG, the pregnancy hormone. If it’s positive, you’re officially pregnant. If not, your doctor will talk about next steps—another cycle, donor options, or a break. If the test works, you’ll enter the early pregnancy phase. Around week 5, an ultrasound can spot the gestational sac. By week 6, you might see a flickering heartbeat. This is when many people start breathing easier. But remember: IVF twin pregnancy, when more than one embryo implants and grows. Also known as multiple gestation, it’s not something you choose—it’s a side effect of transferring more than one embryo, which clinics now avoid unless necessary. Most clinics now transfer just one embryo to reduce risks like preterm birth and high blood pressure.

From week 8 to 12, your IVF pregnancy follows the same path as any other. You’ll have your first anatomy scan, hear the heartbeat clearly, and start thinking about names. But there’s one big difference: you’ll likely keep seeing your fertility doctor longer than someone who conceived naturally. They’ll monitor hormone levels, check for complications like ovarian hyperstimulation, and make sure the placenta takes over properly. Around week 12, your OB/GYN will take over, and you’ll be on the same track as any other expectant parent.

What you won’t find in this collection are miracle cures or guaranteed outcomes. Instead, you’ll find real stories and facts: how much one round of IVF costs in India, whether insurance covers it, why some people get twins, and whether the baby is genetically yours. You’ll learn what happens when donor eggs or sperm are used, and why some people walk away from IVF after one try. These aren’t theory pieces—they’re grounded in what people actually experience.