In the process of stimulating the eggs, which is the first step in IVF treatment, the aim is to enlarge the egg cells in the ovary.

Ovarian cells located in both ovaries and stored in structures called follicles can be visualized with the help of ultrasound at the beginning of the menstrual period. In the first stage of the process, an open number of follicles from the ovary depot are selected to grow in that month in each menstrual period. Each follicle contains an egg cell. Each month, only one of the multiple egg cells selected for the menstrual cycle grows and develops. Because the amount of hormones produced by the female body is programmed for the growth of a single egg. It is this egg cell that is ovulated that month and stands out from the others.

The hormones FSH and LH, which carry out the growth of egg cells, are produced in the pituitary gland located in the brain. The FSH hormone is responsible for the growth of the follicle and the production of the main female hormone (estrogen) from the cells in the follicle. The LH hormone, on the other hand, causes the follicle membrane to rupture and the egg cell to be thrown into the tube (ovulation). In addition, this hormone ensures the production of the hormone progesterone by other cells remaining in the follicle. This hormone is very important as it enables the embryo to adhere to the thickening intrauterine membrane tissue. In the first step of IVF treatment, the hormone produced by the body in order to grow these egg cells is given from the outside through a needle. Thus, other egg cells have the opportunity to grow.

After the procedure, in the first period, which starts on the 2nd – 3rd day of the menstrual period and lasts for 10 days, the expectant mother is invited for control. The response of the ovaries to the drugs used in the controls and whether the eggs have grown sufficiently are followed. During this step, the expectant mother receives hormones every day with special injections. After 10 days, the egg cells reach a state that can be fertilized with sperm.