IVF Injection Schedule — A Day-by-Day Guide for Indian Patients
Which injections, what doses, when to take them, and how much they cost. Everything your clinic should have explained but probably didn't.
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The numbers
How many injections does IVF actually require?
across a single IVF cycle. The exact number depends on your protocol and how your body responds.
during stimulation, which lasts 8–14 days. Each with its own timing window.
timed to the exact hour. This is the most critical injection of the cycle — even 30 minutes late can affect outcomes.
after embryo transfer. Daily injections or vaginal inserts to support the lining.
Day-by-day schedule
Typical IVF stimulation protocol
This is a standard antagonist protocol, the most common in Indian clinics. Your doctor may adjust based on your AMH, AFC, and response.
Baseline scan + blood work
None yet
Start stimulation
Gonal-F / Menopur
Add antagonist
+ Cetrotide / Ganirelix
Monitoring, dose adjustments
May change based on response
Trigger shot
HCG or Lupron (EXACT timing)
Egg retrieval
Under sedation
| Day | What Happens | Medications |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1–2 | Baseline scan + blood work | None yet |
| Day 2–3 | Start stimulation | Gonal-F / Menopur |
| Day 5–6 | Add antagonist | + Cetrotide / Ganirelix |
| Day 8–10 | Monitoring, dose adjustments | May change based on response |
| Day 10–14 | Trigger shot | HCG or Lupron (EXACT timing) |
| Day 12–16 | Egg retrieval | Under sedation |
Every protocol is different. Your doctor decides exact medications and timing based on your blood work and ultrasound results.
Medication details
Common IVF medications in India
Gonal-F
Purpose: Ovarian stimulation
Typical dose: 150–300 IU
Cost: ₹3–6K/pen
How to inject: Subcutaneous, belly
Menopur
Purpose: Ovarian stimulation
Typical dose: 75–150 IU
Cost: ₹2–4K/vial
How to inject: Subcutaneous
Cetrotide
Purpose: Prevent early ovulation
Typical dose: 0.25mg
Cost: ₹2–3K
How to inject: Subcutaneous, belly
Trigger (HCG)
Purpose: Final egg maturation
Typical dose: 5000–10000 IU
Cost: ₹1–2K
How to inject: Intramuscular
Progesterone
Purpose: Lining support
Typical dose: 200–800mg
Cost: ₹500–2K
How to inject: Vaginal or IM
| Medication | Purpose | Typical Dose | Cost | How to Inject |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gonal-F | Ovarian stimulation | 150–300 IU | ₹3–6K/pen | Subcutaneous, belly |
| Menopur | Ovarian stimulation | 75–150 IU | ₹2–4K/vial | Subcutaneous |
| Cetrotide | Prevent early ovulation | 0.25mg | ₹2–3K | Subcutaneous, belly |
| Trigger (HCG) | Final egg maturation | 5000–10000 IU | ₹1–2K | Intramuscular |
| Progesterone | Lining support | 200–800mg | ₹500–2K | Vaginal or IM |
Costs are approximate and vary by city and pharmacy. Your doctor may prescribe different brands or dosages.
Real cost data
IVF injection costs in India
Stimulation medications
₹30,000–60,000The biggest chunk. Higher AMH patients may need lower doses (and pay less).
Antagonist + trigger
₹5,000–10,000Relatively affordable. HCG trigger is cheaper than Lupron trigger.
Progesterone support
₹5,000–15,000Depends on duration. Could be 2 weeks or 10 weeks if pregnancy is achieved.
Brand vs generic
Ask your doctor about Indian-manufactured alternatives. Brands like Folisurge (Intas) cost significantly less than imported Gonal-F.
Tips to reduce costs
Buy from hospital pharmacy vs outside, check if your insurance covers fertility medications, and ask about dose-sharing programmes some clinics offer.
Track every expense with GarbhSaathi's cost tracker. Clinics quote ₹1.2L — real bills often reach ₹3–5L. Start tracking on WhatsApp
Never miss a dose
How to manage injections without anxiety
Juggling 3–5 daily injections with different timings is stressful. Here's how GarbhSaathi makes it manageable.
Send your prescription photo
Take a photo of the medication schedule from your clinic. Send it to GarbhSaathi on WhatsApp. AI reads every medication, dose, and timing.
Automatic reminders, 15 min before each dose
Every injection gets a WhatsApp reminder 15 minutes before it’s due. No alarm to set, no app to check.
Trigger shot countdown
Your trigger shot gets special treatment: alerts at T−2 hours, T−30 minutes, and at the exact time. This is the one injection that cannot be late.
Partner backup alerts
Your partner can receive backup notifications for every dose. Two people watching means zero missed injections.
Protocol changed mid-cycle?
Just send a new prescription photo. GarbhSaathi updates all your reminders instantly. No need to manually delete and re-create anything.
Send your prescription. Never worry about injection timing again.
Free. No app download. No signup. No data selling.
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Medical disclaimer
This page is for general awareness only. IVF protocols vary significantly between patients — your doctor designs your specific medication schedule based on your age, AMH, AFC, body weight, and response to stimulation. The dosages, costs, and timelines listed here are typical ranges, not prescriptions. Always follow your fertility specialist's instructions. GarbhSaathi is a medication reminder tool, not a medical service.
GarbhSaathi is independent — not affiliated with any fertility clinic, pharmaceutical company, or medical institution.