IVF Treatment in Pune: The Complete Patient Guide (2025)

What Is IVF and Who Is It For?

In-vitro fertilisation (IVF) is a procedure in which eggs are collected from the woman's ovaries, fertilised with sperm in a laboratory, and the resulting embryo is transferred back into the uterus. The word "vitro" is Latin for glass — IVF literally means fertilisation "in glass," referring to the lab dish where eggs and sperm meet.

IVF is not the first step for every couple. At Solo Clinic IVF & ObGyn, we evaluate both partners thoroughly before recommending treatment. Many couples who come to us expecting to need IVF end up conceiving after targeted lifestyle changes, hormonal treatment, or a simpler procedure like IUI (intrauterine insemination). IVF is recommended when:

• The fallopian tubes are blocked or damaged and cannot be repaired
• Severe endometriosis has significantly impaired natural conception
• There is severe male factor infertility (very low count, poor motility, or DNA fragmentation)
• Natural IUI cycles have failed after appropriate attempts
• There is a low ovarian reserve that warrants controlled stimulation
• Genetic testing of embryos (PGT) is needed before transfer

Not every couple needs IVF, and a clinic that recommends it to everyone without a proper evaluation is one worth approaching with caution.

The IVF Process, Step by Step

A single IVF cycle typically takes four to six weeks from start to pregnancy test. Here is what that journey looks like:

Step 1: Baseline Assessment (Week 1)

Before stimulation begins, your doctor will review your hormonal profile (AMH, FSH, LH, oestradiol), perform an ultrasound to count your antral follicles (the small resting follicles that indicate your egg reserve), and confirm your uterus is ready. For your partner, a semen analysis is reviewed or repeated if results are more than three months old.

Step 2: Ovarian Stimulation (Days 2–12 Approximately)

You will self-inject hormonal medications (gonadotrophins) for approximately 10 to 12 days. These medications signal your ovaries to produce multiple follicles — ideally 8 to 15 — instead of the single egg you would release in a natural cycle. You will have monitoring ultrasounds and blood tests every 2 to 3 days during this period so your doctor can adjust the dose and time the next step correctly.

Step 3: Egg Collection (Ovum Pick-Up)

When your follicles are mature (typically 18 to 20 mm), you receive a "trigger injection" of hCG or GnRH agonist. Exactly 34 to 36 hours later, eggs are collected under light sedation using a thin needle guided by ultrasound. The procedure takes 20 to 30 minutes. Most women go home the same day.

Step 4: Fertilisation in the Lab

Your eggs are immediately handed to the embryologist. Depending on your case, fertilisation happens through:

• Standard IVF — eggs and sperm are placed together and fertilisation happens naturally in the dish
• ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) — a single sperm is selected and injected directly into the egg, used in most male-factor cases
• IMSI — sperm are selected under very high magnification (6,000x versus 400x for ICSI) to identify the best candidates, used in specific cases of severe male factor or repeated failure

Fertilisation is confirmed the next morning. Over the next 3 to 5 days, the embryologist grades your embryos as they develop. The goal is to reach the blastocyst stage (day 5 or 6) — the most advanced pre-implantation stage, associated with higher implantation rates.

Step 5: Embryo Transfer

One or two embryos are placed into your uterus using a thin catheter — no anaesthesia is typically needed. The number transferred is a clinical decision based on your age, embryo quality, previous history, and risk tolerance for multiple pregnancy. A "freeze all" strategy may be used when your body needs time to recover from stimulation before transfer is safest.

Step 6: The Two-Week Wait and Pregnancy Test

Approximately 14 days after transfer, a blood test measures beta-hCG to determine whether implantation has occurred. If positive, an early ultrasound at 6 to 7 weeks confirms a heartbeat.

What Is a Realistic IVF Success Rate?

This is arguably the most important question — and the one clinics are most likely to answer misleadingly.

IVF success rates in India range from 35% to 65% per cycle for women under 35 with good ovarian reserve, based on published data from ICMR. They decline progressively with age — a woman aged 40 has roughly a 15 to 25% per-cycle success rate with her own eggs, and success rates with donor eggs are substantially higher at any age.

When evaluating a clinic's claimed success rate, ask these specific questions:

• Is this per cycle started, per egg collection, or per embryo transfer? These figures can differ dramatically.
• Does it include cancelled cycles? Many clinics report only on cycles that reached transfer.
• Is this a live birth rate or a clinical pregnancy rate? A visible pregnancy at 6 weeks is not the same as a baby.
• What is the age distribution of your patient population? Higher success rates are often a result of treating younger, simpler cases.

At Solo Clinic, led by Dr. Sunita Tandulwadkar — who carries a national and international reputation built over 35 years — we provide transparent, case-specific success expectations based on your actual age, AMH, and history. We do not offer blanket guarantees.

IVF Cost in Pune: What to Expect

The cost of a single IVF cycle in Pune typically ranges from INR 1.2 lakhs to INR 2.5 lakhs for the procedure alone, excluding medications. Medications can add INR 50,000 to INR 1.5 lakhs depending on the stimulation protocol and your response. Additional costs may include:

• ICSI or IMSI (if required): INR 25,000 to INR 50,000 additional
• Embryo freezing and storage: INR 15,000 to INR 40,000 per year
• Frozen embryo transfer cycle: INR 30,000 to INR 80,000
• Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT): INR 60,000 to INR 1.5 lakhs

Always ask for an itemised estimate before treatment begins. Understand what is included in the quoted price and what is billed separately. Honest clinics make this easy; dishonest ones make it confusing.

Why Choose Solo Clinic IVF & ObGyn for IVF Treatment in Pune?

Solo Clinic is led by Dr. Sunita Tandulwadkar — recognised internationally as one of India's foremost authorities in reproductive medicine and gynaecological endoscopy. Her credentials include:

• 63rd President of FOGSI (the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India) — 2025
• Current President of ISAR (Indian Society of Assisted Reproduction)
• Head of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Chief of IVF & Endoscopy Centre at Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune
• Architect of India's first stem cell baby and the world's first successful stem cell-assisted conception in a 45-year-old woman (2018)
• Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the 14th President of India — 2025

What makes Solo Clinic genuinely different is that every patient receives an individual, evidence-based plan. We do not push everyone into IVF. If lifestyle changes, targeted surgery, or IUI can achieve pregnancy at lower cost and risk, that is the plan we recommend — even if it means fewer IVF procedures performed. Our reputation is built on doing right by patients, not on cycle volume.

IVF with Failed Cycles: When Standard Protocols Are Not Enough

A significant proportion of the patients who reach Solo Clinic have already had one or more failed IVF cycles elsewhere. For these patients, a standard repeat of the same protocol is rarely the answer. A structured review of previous cycles typically examines:

• Stimulation protocol: Was the dose appropriate for your AMH and AFC? Was the response optimal?
• Embryo quality: What grading was achieved? Was blastocyst culture attempted?
• Uterine factors: Is there a submucosal fibroid, polyp, or thin endometrium that was missed?
• Sperm quality: Was DNA fragmentation tested? Was IMSI used when indicated?
• Immune and thrombophilic factors: Are there clotting or immune conditions affecting implantation?

Complex failed IVF cases are a specific strength of Dr. Tandulwadkar's practice. She has managed thousands of such cases, including patients with severe endometriosis, very low AMH, and repeated implantation failure.

Frequently Asked Questions About IVF Treatment in Pune

Q1. How long does one IVF cycle take from start to finish?

A typical IVF cycle takes between four and six weeks from your baseline scan to your pregnancy test. This includes approximately 10 to 12 days of stimulation, the egg collection, 5 to 6 days of embryo development in the lab, the embryo transfer, and a 14-day wait before the blood test. Frozen embryo transfer cycles are shorter — about 3 to 4 weeks.

Q2. Is IVF painful?

The daily injections are mildly uncomfortable rather than painful — similar to a vaccination pinch. The egg collection is performed under sedation, so you are not awake for the procedure itself. Most women feel some bloating and pelvic discomfort during stimulation. The embryo transfer is usually no more uncomfortable than a cervical smear.

Q3. What is the ideal age for IVF in India?

The highest IVF success rates are seen in women under 35. That said, IVF with a woman's own eggs remains a reasonable option up to approximately 42 to 43, depending on ovarian reserve and previous response. Beyond that age, donor egg IVF offers substantially better outcomes. There is no age restriction for donor egg cycles in India, though our team provides individualised guidance based on overall health.

Q4. Can I work during IVF treatment?

Most women continue working through an IVF cycle. The monitoring appointments (ultrasound and blood tests every 2 to 3 days) are typically brief — under 30 minutes — and can often be scheduled early in the morning. The egg collection day requires someone to accompany you and a rest at home. The embryo transfer is a brief outpatient procedure. Most doctors do not recommend complete bed rest after transfer — light, normal activity is fine.

Q5. What happens to the unused embryos after transfer?

Any embryos that are suitable for freezing are cryopreserved (vitrified) and stored for future use. Frozen embryo transfer cycles are significantly less expensive and physically less intensive than a fresh cycle. Frozen embryos can be stored for several years. If you decide not to use them, you will discuss disposition options — including donation for research or to another couple, subject to Indian law — with your clinic.

Q6. Does IVF increase the risk of cancer?

Current evidence does not indicate that IVF substantially increases the risk of ovarian, breast, or endometrial cancer. Large long-term studies have not found a causative link between the hormonal stimulation used in IVF and cancer development. Women with a strong family history of hormone-sensitive cancers should discuss this specifically with their doctor before starting treatment.

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER:

Medically reviewed by Dr. Sunita Tandulwadkar, MS (ObGyn), FICOG. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Fertility outcomes vary by individual. Please consult a qualified fertility specialist for personalised guidance.