What Is IVF and How Does It Work?
IVF (in vitro fertilisation) means eggs and sperm meet in the laboratory, then one or more embryos are transferred to the uterus. ICSI is a related fertilisation method that injects a single sperm into each egg.
Dr. Senai Aksoy explains the steps in the medical animation below. The written guide that follows covers the same pathway for readers who prefer text — including how IVF treatment in Turkey is organised for international patients.
The six steps of IVF treatment
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Consultation & planning | Records, diagnosis, and whether IVF or ICSI fits |
| 2. Ovarian stimulation | Medication grows several follicles; monitoring by ultrasound and blood tests |
| 3. Egg retrieval | Eggs collected with a fine needle under light sedation |
| 4. Fertilisation | Conventional IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) |
| 5. Embryo transfer | One or two selected embryos placed in the uterus |
| 6. Pregnancy test | Blood beta-hCG, then ultrasound follow-up if positive |
Ovarian reserve (AMH, antral follicle count, age) helps estimate how the ovaries may respond to stimulation. It does not guarantee egg quality or pregnancy. Sperm parameters, uterine findings, and previous cycle history also shape the plan.
More detail on laboratory fertilisation: fertilisation — IVF and ICSI. Day-by-day travel timing: IVF treatment timeline.
IVF versus ICSI
IVF places eggs and prepared sperm together so fertilisation can occur in the dish.
ICSI injects a single sperm into each mature egg. It is often used for male-factor infertility, prior fertilisation failure, or when the team judges microinjection more reliable for that case.
Both pathways still require ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, embryo culture, and transfer (or freeze-all). The difference is mainly how fertilisation is achieved in the lab.
IVF in Turkey for international patients
IVF treatment in Turkey is available to eligible married heterosexual couples using their own gametes, under Turkish Ministry of Health rules.
International patients often compare clinics in Turkey when they want specialist care coordinated in English, French, or Arabic, with a travel plan built around the cycle. Turkey is one destination among several — not a “best country” label.
Key points before travel:
- Donation and surrogacy are not available in Turkey.
- A fresh cycle often needs about 15–20 days on site in Istanbul.
- Written estimates should separate medication, freezing, PGT, and travel from the base cycle.
- Remote record review usually comes before booking flights.
Full destination guide: IVF in Turkey for international patients. Broader comparison frame: how to plan IVF abroad.
Cost of IVF treatment — how to read an estimate
People search IVF prices and IVF costs in Turkey for a reason: budgets matter. A responsible estimate lists what is included and what is not — stimulation drugs, freezing and storage, genetic testing, surgical sperm retrieval, and return travel for a frozen transfer.
This page does not publish a sales package. For the clinic’s estimate structure and informational ranges, see IVF / ICSI treatment pricing.
After transfer: the pregnancy test
About 9–14 days after transfer, a blood pregnancy test measures beta-hCG. One positive number is encouraging; serial values and ultrasound complete the picture. See beta-hCG after IVF.
Safety and regulation
All IVF procedures described here are performed in Istanbul in accordance with Turkish Ministry of Health regulations for assisted reproductive treatment. This content is educational and does not replace individual medical consultation.
Patients comparing clinics should ask about licensing, laboratory witnessing, OHSS prevention, embryo-transfer limits, and after-hours contact — the same checklist used in our IVF in Turkey guide.
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