Ratchada Medical General Clinic

Starting a family is one of life’s most meaningful milestones, yet some couples may require additional support through modern reproductive technologies such as IVF or ICSI. These methods significantly enhance the chances of achieving a safe and successful pregnancy. This guide provides a clear overview of everything you need to know before beginning treatment—from required documents and pre-treatment preparation for both men and women, to each step of the IVF/ICSI process and the timeline involved. With this information, couples can approach their fertility journey with confidence, clarity, and proper medical guidance.

<h2><strong>Required Documents (for Thai and Foreign Patients)</strong></h2>

<p>&bull; National ID card / Passport<br />
&bull; Marriage certificate (Foreign nationals must obtain a certified marriage certificate from their embassy.)<br />
&bull; Previous medical records or past blood test results, if you have undergone infertility treatment or health check-ups elsewhere</p>

<h2>&nbsp;</h2>

<h2><strong>Preparing for IVF / ICSI / Ovarian Stimulation</strong></h2>

<p><em>(Diet / Supplements / Self-care)</em></p>

<h2><strong>For Women</strong></h2>

<p>&bull; Avoid alcoholic beverages, processed foods, and foods high in sugar.<br />
&bull; Consume at least 60 mg of protein per day to support healthy, high-quality egg development.<br />
&bull; Drink at least 1.5&ndash;2 liters of water daily.<br />
&bull; Maintain a healthy weight. Engage in light exercise such as walking or yoga, which is safer than strenuous workouts.<br />
&bull; Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke exposure.<br />
&bull; Get adequate daily sleep and avoid excessive stress.<br />
&bull; Take folic acid consistently.</p>

<h2><strong>For Men</strong></h2>

<p>&bull; Avoid infections such as fever, which can reduce sperm count and sperm quality.<br />
&bull; Avoid soaking in hot water or using saunas, as heat affects sperm quality.<br />
&bull; Do not wear overly tight underwear&mdash;ensure proper ventilation and healthy blood circulation.<br />
&bull; Avoid beverages containing caffeine and alcohol.<br />
&bull; Stop smoking at least 3 months before starting treatment and continue abstaining throughout the process.<br />
&bull; Exercise regularly, sleep sufficiently, and avoid excessive stress or anxiety.</p>

<h2>&nbsp;</h2>

<h2><strong>When to Begin the Process</strong></h2>

<p>&bull; <strong>Women</strong> should see the doctor on <strong>Day 1&ndash;3 of the menstrual cycle</strong> for physical examination and hormone testing for accurate results.<br />
&bull; <strong>Men</strong> who need a semen analysis should abstain from ejaculation for <strong>3&ndash;7 days</strong> before testing.</p>

<h1>&nbsp;</h1>

<h2><strong>IVF / ICSI Procedure Steps</strong></h2>

<h3><strong>1. Ovarian Stimulation</strong></h3>

<p>The goal is to stimulate multiple eggs to grow and mature in a single cycle.<br />
Two types of medication are used:</p>

<ol>
	<li>
	<p>ovarian stimulation medication</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>medication to prevent premature ovulation</p>
	</li>
</ol>

<p>This typically involves daily injections for <strong>10&ndash;12 days</strong>. Ultrasound and hormone tests are performed to monitor egg development and adjust medication dosage.<br />
When the eggs reach <strong>18&ndash;20 mm</strong>, the doctor administers an injection to trigger ovulation. Egg retrieval is scheduled <strong>34&ndash;36 hours</strong> after the trigger injection.</p>

<h3><strong>2. Egg Retrieval</strong></h3>

<p>Performed in the operating room under light anesthesia.<br />
The doctor retrieves eggs transvaginally using a needle guided by ultrasound.<br />
After the procedure, patients are monitored in the recovery room for 1&ndash;2 hours. Mild abdominal discomfort may occur for 1&ndash;2 days.<br />
On the same day, the husband must provide a semen sample via masturbation. The sample must reach the lab within 1 hour, where embryologists prepare it for fertilization.</p>

<h3><strong>3. Fertilization</strong></h3>

<p>Two methods are used:</p>

<h3><strong>3.1 In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)</strong></h3>

<p>Eggs are mixed with processed sperm and allowed to fertilize naturally in the laboratory.</p>

<h3><strong>3.2 Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)</strong></h3>

<p>A single healthy sperm is injected directly into an egg.<br />
This method is preferred when sperm quality is low and is increasingly popular to ensure successful fertilization.</p>

<p>ICSI is <strong>required</strong> when performing genetic testing (PGD/PGS) to avoid sperm contamination that may interfere with results.</p>

<p>After fertilization, embryos are cultured for <strong>2&ndash;5 days</strong> until they reach the appropriate stage for transfer.</p>

<h2>&nbsp;</h2>

<h2><strong>4. Embryo Transfer</strong></h2>

<p>There are two types:</p>

<h3><strong>4.1 Fresh Embryo Transfer</strong></h3>

<p>Embryos are transferred <strong>2&ndash;5 days after egg retrieval</strong>. Preferred when the number of embryos is small.</p>

<h3><strong>4.2 Frozen Embryo Transfer</strong></h3>

<p>Embryos are frozen for future use.<br />
This increases pregnancy chances, reduces the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation, and allows for genetic testing (PGD/PGS).</p>

<p>The doctor prescribes medication to prepare the uterine lining before scheduling the transfer.<br />
Remaining embryos are frozen for future cycles.</p>

<h2>&nbsp;</h2>

<h2><strong>5. After Embryo Transfer</strong></h2>

<p>Patients must rest adequately and take prescribed hormonal support to aid implantation.<br />
A blood test to measure pregnancy hormone levels is done <strong>12&ndash;14 days</strong> after the transfer.</p>

<p>If pregnant, medication will continue to support the pregnancy, and antenatal care will begin.<br />
If pregnancy does not occur, the doctor will investigate the cause and discuss additional options to improve success in future cycles.</p>

<h1>&nbsp;</h1>

<h2><strong>Timeline &amp; Frequency of Doctor Visits</strong></h2>

<h3><strong>Consultation</strong></h3>

<p>Available at any point in the menstrual cycle.<br />
<strong>Duration:</strong> 45&ndash;60 minutes</p>

<h3><strong>Ovarian Stimulation</strong></h3>

<p>Day 2&ndash;3 of period<br />
<strong>Duration:</strong> 10&ndash;12 days</p>

<h3><strong>Egg Retrieval &amp; Semen Collection</strong></h3>

<p>36 hours after trigger injection<br />
<strong>Duration:</strong> 1&ndash;2 hours</p>

<h3><strong>Embryo Culture</strong></h3>

<p>After fertilization (IVF/ICSI)<br />
<strong>Duration:</strong> 5&ndash;6 days</p>

<h3><strong>Embryo Chromosome Testing (if applicable)</strong></h3>

<p>At blastocyst stage<br />
<strong>Result time:</strong> 7&ndash;10 days</p>

<h3><strong>Embryo Transfer</strong></h3>

<p>After embryo culture<br />
<strong>Duration:</strong> 2 hours</p>

<h1>&nbsp;</h1>

<h2><strong>Overall Estimated Treatment Duration</strong></h2>

<h3><strong>Fresh Cycle (Stimulation + Fresh Transfer):</strong> ~1 month</h3>

<h3><strong>Frozen Cycle (Stimulation + Frozen Transfer):</strong> ~2 months</h3>

<h3><strong>Number of Visits</strong></h3>

<p>&bull; 2&ndash;3 visits during stimulation<br />
&bull; 1 visit for egg retrieval<br />
&bull; 1&ndash;2 visits for uterine lining preparation<br />
&bull; 1 visit for embryo transfer</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Source:&nbsp;<a href="https://rmgclinic.com/%e0%b8%9e%e0%b8%a3%e0%b8%b0%e0%b8%a3%e0%b8%b2%e0%b8%8a%e0%b8%9a%e0%b8%8d%e0%b8%8d%e0%b8%95%e0%b8%84%e0%b8%a1%e0%b8%84%e0%b8%a3%e0%b8%ad%e0%b8%87%e0%b9%80%e0%b8%94%e0%b8%81/"><span style="color:#3498db">Ratchada Medical General Clinic </span></a></strong></p>

<p><strong>**Translated and compiled by ArokaGO Content Team</strong></p>

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Assisted Reproductive Technology (IVF / ICSI)