Planning IVF in another country usually comes down to one practical question before anything else: how much time you need to spend there, and what actually happens during that time. Many international patients who contact SILK Medical already understand the basics of IVF, but the timeline itself often feels unclear. Travel planning, clinic visits, and remote preparation tend to get mixed together, especially when different treatment options are involved.
Before Travel: Medical Review and Preparation
The process usually starts remotely. Patients send recent test results, including hormone levels, AMH, ultrasound scans, and sperm analysis. Based on this, SILK Medical reproductologist prepares an IVF protocol and confirms whether any additional tests are needed.
Some parts of preparation can begin before arriving in Tbilisi. For example, ovarian stimulation may be started at a local clinic under guidance from SILK Medical. This is what allows a shorter visit later on.
For patients using donor eggs, this stage also includes donor selection. Profiles are reviewed first, and once a donor is chosen, her cycle is coordinated with the planned IVF timeline.
Standard IVF Timeline: 12 to 14 Days in Tbilisi
For patients using their own eggs, the full IVF cycle usually requires around two weeks in Tbilisi.
The visit is timed with the start of the menstrual cycle. Stimulation begins on day two and continues for about 10 days. During this period, the patient comes to the clinic every few days for ultrasound monitoring and hormone checks. It is also possible to arrange stimulation injections right at the clinic.
Egg retrieval is performed around day 12. It is a short procedure under anesthesia, and most patients leave the clinic the same day.
On the male side, sperm is collected during this window. Two deposits spaced by a few days are often recommended, although in some cases one is enough.
After retrieval, fertilization is done using ICSI. Embryos are then cultured in the lab for 5 to 6 days until they reach the blastocyst stage.
Short Visit Option: Around 4 Days in Tbilisi
Some patients prefer to reduce time spent abroad. This is possible when stimulation is started at home.
In this scenario, the patient follows the clinic’s protocol locally for most of the stimulation phase. Monitoring can also be done at a local clinic and shared with the medical team at SILK Medical in Tbilisi.
Travel is then scheduled for the final stage. The visit typically includes final monitoring, trigger injection, egg retrieval, and sperm collection. This usually fits into a stay of about four days.
This option works best when coordination with a local doctor is smooth and timing is predictable.
Male Partner Timing
The male partner does not always need to stay for the full duration.
If two sperm deposits are planned, he may need to be present for several days. If one deposit is sufficient and testing is done in advance, the visit can be shorter.
In some cases, sperm can be frozen during a separate earlier visit, which removes the need to align travel with the female partner’s cycle.
What Happens After Egg Retrieval
Once eggs are collected and fertilized, the laboratory phase continues without the need for the patients to stay.
Embryos are cultured for several days. At the blastocyst stage, they are either frozen directly or biopsied for genetic testing.
PGT-A testing is commonly used to check chromosomal status. The biopsy samples are sent to the lab, and results are usually ready in about three weeks.
All embryos are frozen after this stage. This allows flexibility for planning the next step.
Embryo Transfer: Separate Visit
In many cases, embryo transfer does not happen during the same trip as egg retrieval.
A frozen embryo transfer is often scheduled later. This requires preparation of the endometrium, which can also begin remotely under medical guidance.
The visit for transfer is shorter. Patients usually stay in Tbilisi for a few days for final checks and the procedure itself.
IVF with Donor Eggs: How the Timeline Changes
When donor eggs are used, the structure is slightly different.
The donor goes through stimulation and egg retrieval instead of the intended mother. This means the female partner does not need to stay for two weeks.
The male partner still needs to provide a sperm sample, either during a short visit or in advance.
After fertilization, embryo development and testing follow the same steps. Transfer is then planned in a separate cycle.
Cost Overview
IVF programs at SILK Medical are structured as full packages rather than fragmented services.
A full cycle with own eggs, including medications, fertilization, embryo culture, PGT-A for up to five embryos, and freezing, is typically around 7,000 USD.
IVF with donor eggs ranges from 6,500 to 10,000 USD depending on whether genetic testing and multiple transfers are included. Donor compensation is usually in the range of 2,000 to 4,500 USD.
This structure allows patients to understand the total cost upfront without needing to calculate separate lab and medication fees.
Travel and Stay in Tbilisi
Accommodation options in Tbilisi range from short-term apartments to hotels near the clinic.
Patients staying for the full IVF cycle usually plan for about two weeks. Those coming only for retrieval or transfer often stay between three and five days.
The clinic team can suggest nearby accommodation depending on the length of stay and schedule.
Flights are typically planned with some flexibility, especially during stimulation, since timing can shift slightly based on response to medication.
IVF for Future Surrogacy
Some patients choose to create embryos first and use them later in a surrogacy program.
This separates the IVF process from the rest of the timeline. Embryos are created, tested, and stored, and the next stage begins only when the patients are ready.
This approach is common for patients who are not ready to proceed immediately or who want to reduce the number of trips later.
Choosing Between the Two Travel Scenarios
The main difference between the two approaches comes down to how much of the process is handled locally before arrival.
A full stay in Tbilisi offers closer monitoring and fewer coordination points by the SILK Medical team. A shorter visit reduces time abroad but requires more planning with a local clinic.
Both options follow the same medical steps, just arranged differently in time.
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