Planning IVF? Fertility expert explains the must-know terms before your first consultation

Beginning an IVF journey can feel overwhelming, especially with the flood of unfamiliar medical terms.

Understanding the basics before meeting a fertility specialist can help couples make informed decisions and better understand their treatment plan. Dr. Kalyani Shrimali, Clinical Director and Fertility Specialist at Nova IVF Fertility, Indore, explains some of the most important IVF terms.

AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone)

One of the first tests recommended during fertility evaluation is the AMH blood test, which measures ovarian reserve—the number of eggs remaining in a woman’s ovaries.

“AMH does not predict whether a woman can conceive naturally, but it helps doctors plan the most suitable IVF protocol,” says Dr. Shrimali.

AFC (Antral Follicle Count)

Antral Follicle Count (AFC) is measured through an ultrasound performed during the early days of the menstrual cycle. It estimates the number of small follicles in the ovaries and, like the AMH test, helps assess ovarian reserve.

Semen analysis

Fertility assessment isn’t limited to women. Semen analysis evaluates the male partner’s sperm count, movement (motility), shape (morphology) and other key parameters affecting fertility.

Since male factors account for nearly half of infertility cases, this test plays a crucial role in determining the most appropriate treatment.

Egg, embryo and blastocyst

Understanding the stages of early development is essential:

• Egg: Released from the ovary.
• Embryo: Formed after the egg is fertilised by a sperm.
• Blastocyst: A more advanced embryo that develops by Day 5 or Day 6 and is often preferred for transfer during IVF.

Egg freezing

Also known as oocyte cryopreservation, egg freezing allows women to preserve healthy eggs for future pregnancy.

It is commonly recommended for women who wish to delay motherhood for personal or career reasons or before undergoing treatments, such as chemotherapy, that may affect fertility.

ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection)

ICSI is a specialised IVF procedure in which a single healthy sperm is injected directly into an egg to achieve fertilisation.

It is most commonly used in cases of male infertility or when previous fertilisation attempts have failed.

Embryo grading

After fertilisation, embryos are assessed under a microscope and assigned a grade based on their appearance and development.

Higher-grade embryos generally have better chances of implantation, but successful pregnancy also depends on factors such as embryo genetics and the health of the uterus.

Embryo transfer and Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)

An embryo transfer involves placing a fresh embryo into the uterus during the same treatment cycle.

In a Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET), embryos are frozen and transferred in a later cycle, which may improve success rates when the uterine environment is more favourable.

Every IVF treatment is different

Dr. Shrimali emphasises that IVF is not a one-size-fits-all treatment. Every protocol is tailored to the couple’s age, ovarian reserve, sperm quality, medical history and future fertility goals.

Understanding these common IVF terms can help couples feel more confident, ask informed questions and actively participate in decisions throughout their fertility journey.