For IVF, you typically get one main trigger shot (hCG or Lupron) administered about 36 hours before egg retrieval to mature the eggs, but some protocols use combination triggers (hCG + Lupron), which might involve one or two Lupron shots, making it sometimes one or two shots in total for that specific step, though the overall IVF cycle involves many more hormone injections.
HCG "trigger" shot = injection of a medication called HCG, which causes the eggs to complete the maturation process. This is taken only once in the cycle. Release of the eggs should occur about 36-46 hours after the shot.
Actress Jennifer Aniston underwent multiple unsuccessful rounds of IVF (in vitro fertilization) during her journey to have children, revealing she tried for years, changed clinics, and experienced several failed cycles before stopping, but has expressed having "zero regrets" about her path. While the exact number isn't specified, she described it as a challenging, multi-year process involving numerous attempts.
The number of injections varies based on the specific IVF protocol, but a typical cycle may involve anywhere from 14 to over 100 injections, depending on factors like age, ovarian reserve, and response to medications.
IVF trigger shot
Most women will ovulate and release eggs from their follicles 37 to 38 hours after the trigger shot. In order to obtain the greatest number of mature eggs, your team will perform the egg retrieval 1-2 hours before you ovulate. This is usually 35 to 36 hours after you give yourself the trigger shot.
The dominant follicle is usually already mature—around 18 to 22 mm—at the time of the injection. While a tiny bit of growth (1–2 mm) may still happen, the main effect of the trigger is to help the egg fully mature and prepare for release, which typically occurs 36 to 40 hours after the shot.
One of the main challenges of IVF without injections is the lower success rates compared to traditional IVF. Natural cycle IVF, for example, typically has a lower success rate because only one egg is collected per cycle.
IVF is most likely to fail during the embryo transfer stage. This is when the embryo has the chance to implant into the uterus. If implantation does not happen, it can lead to IVF failure.
Nutrition & Diet
Omega-3 fatty acids: Fish, walnuts, and flaxseeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that aid in improving egg quality, hence leading to follicle growth. Vitamin D & folate: Eggs, mushrooms, dairy with added vitamins, and leafy greens enhance hormone balance.
When an IVF program is successful, the signs or sensations that appear are generally similar to the early signs of pregnancy, such as:
Facing challenges and defying odds, Celine and René Angelil's path to parenthood involved 7 rounds of IVF total. In 2001, son René-Charles was born, and in 2010, twins Nelson and Eddy arrived, making Celine's dream of a sibling for René- Charles a reality.
Jennifer Aniston's 80/20 rule is a balanced approach to wellness, focusing on healthy, nutrient-dense foods 80% of the time while allowing for indulgences like pizza, pasta, or martinis (the 20%) without guilt, promoting consistency and sustainability over perfection. It's about moderation, enjoying life's treats, and getting back on track with healthy choices at the next meal or workout, emphasizing that no food is inherently "bad".
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt – Celebrities IVF
True, for parents with many children, the birth of twins was not a surprise. Jolie also resorted to IVF and assumed that she would become a mother of twins.
Out of 100 women after IVF, up to 20% experience miscarriages. Moreover, 80% of them experience this misfortune during the first trimester. The most dangerous period for miscarriage, according to statistics, is 12 weeks.
The dual trigger might increase the number of total and mature oocytes and high-quality embryos, and appears to improve pregnancy and live birth rates in IVF cycles with GnRH antagonists. However, it does not seem to affect the implantation rate or the positive Beta-HCG rate.
Most women will respond to ovulation induction with clomiphene or letrozole and have a natural LH surge, so a trigger shot isn't required in these cases. Occasionally, a mature follicle will develop, but no LH surge will occur.
Key Factors Affecting Egg Quality
A nutritious diet high in antioxidants and healthy fats can enhance egg quality; while smoking and excessive alcohol intake can have detrimental effects. Environmental factors, including exposure to pollutants and chemicals, can harm reproductive health.
IVF Follicle Size by Day: Typical Growth Pattern
On average, follicles grow about 1.3–1.7 mm per day with stimulation medications.
Dairy products
Whole dairy products are a great way to boost your fertility and help your bone health. If you're trying to get pregnant, drink a glass of milk, eat a bowl of yogurt, and even have cheese in moderation.
Jennifer Aniston underwent IVF treatments throughout her late 30s and 40s, a challenging period where she tried everything to conceive, eventually continuing into her early 50s, ultimately deciding to share her private fertility struggle years later in an interview with Allure.
“How many IVF cycles will it take for me to have a baby?” is a natural question that virtually all in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients have. The definitive answer to how many IVF cycles one may need for a live birth is one to three or more IVF cycles, with the possibility that birth may never occur from an IVF cycle.
Insufficient uterine environment is one of the biggest reasons for embryo failure. Insufficient uterine environment, scar tissue, or an undetected pre-existing condition may all contribute to failed IVF. A chromosomal problem may also be the culprit. For this reason, genetic testing is a must.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas froze her eggs: Why some women freeze their eggs, and how it helps in IVF. To freeze or not to freeze? Freezing her eggs in her early 30s gave actor Priyanka Chopra complete freedom to pursue her career doggedly, and choose when to have a child.
Who is not a good candidate for IVF? In vitro fertilization may not work for everyone. Conditions that may interfere with IVF success include fibroid tumors, ovarian dysfunction, abnormal hormone levels, and uterine abnormalities. Women with these issues may face lower rates of pregnancy with IVF.
Isha Ambani used IVF to conceive her twins, Aadiya Shakti and Krishna, because she and her husband faced difficulties conceiving naturally, and she openly shared her journey to help normalize IVF and reduce the stigma, highlighting it as a modern, positive way to build a family, just as her own mother, Nita Ambani, had done for her and her brother Akash. She emphasized that there's nothing to feel ashamed of and that IVF offers a chance for parenthood, mirroring her mother's experience with fertility struggles.