Why Monitoring Matters
During ovarian stimulation, your body is being supported to develop multiple follicles rather than just one. Monitoring visits allow your care team to track how those follicles are responding, make any necessary adjustments to your protocol, and decide the right moment for the trigger injection that prepares for egg collection.
Getting this timing right is important — it directly affects the number and quality of eggs retrieved. Your care team takes monitoring seriously, and the appointments are typically short but frequent.
What Happens at a Monitoring Visit
Each monitoring appointment involves an ultrasound scan to count and measure follicles, and usually a blood test to check hormone levels. Together, these give your doctor a precise picture of where you are in the stimulation cycle.
Appointments are usually scheduled in the morning. They typically take 20 to 40 minutes, though this can vary. Results are reviewed quickly and your coordinator will contact you the same day with any instructions.
How Often You'll Come In
Monitoring visits typically start a few days after stimulation begins and continue every one to two days as you approach egg collection. Your doctor will give you an expected schedule at the start of your cycle, though the exact number of visits depends on how your body responds.
For patients travelling from outside the city, we can discuss options for conducting some monitoring visits locally and sharing results with our team — speak to your coordinator about this when you begin your cycle.
Tips for the Monitoring Phase
Stay well hydrated, maintain your normal routine where possible, and keep your coordinator informed of any symptoms that feel unusual or concerning. Light physical activity is generally fine, but intense exercise is best avoided during stimulation.
The monitoring phase can feel busy — but it's also an exciting time, and our team is available throughout to answer questions and provide reassurance.
This is general information. Instructions and timing vary by procedure, clinician and individual circumstances; follow your treating team.
