Bottom line up front: IVF combines eggs and sperm outside the body, then transfers a resulting embryo into the uterus — a multi-stage process with real variability in outcomes, worth understanding fully before you begin.
The core concepts this site covers
| Concept | What it means |
|---|---|
| Stimulation and retrieval | Medications stimulate multiple eggs; a minor procedure retrieves them |
| Fertilization | Conventional insemination or ICSI, depending on your specific situation |
| Embryo culture and PGT | Embryos develop in the lab, with optional genetic screening |
| Transfer | A selected embryo is placed in the uterus, fresh or frozen |
| Success factors | Age, embryo quality, and clinic protocols all genuinely affect outcomes |
Why understanding the full process matters
IVF involves real decisions at multiple stages — protocol choice, whether to pursue genetic screening, fresh versus frozen transfer — and understanding each concept helps you participate meaningfully in those decisions with your care team.
See colombianivf.com for Colombia-specific IVF provider information once you're ready to explore next steps.
The Takeaway
This primer maps the full process — each stage has a dedicated, deeper article elsewhere on this site.