Timeline Planning — 6‑, 12‑, and 18‑Month Maps

Key Takeaways

• A 6-month plan suits individuals ready for immediate treatment or those with urgent reproductive timelines.
• A 12-month plan gives room for evaluations, multiple cycles, recovery time, and financial structuring.
• An 18-month plan supports international surrogacy, donor coordination, or medically complex journeys.
• Clear timelines reduce stress, limit unexpected costs, and improve decision-making.
• Flexibility is essential — plans must adapt to medical findings, travel rules, and emotional readiness.

Timeline planning is one of the most underestimated parts of any fertility or surrogacy journey. Whether pursuing IVF, egg donation, embryo creation, or international surrogacy, the question is always the same:
“How long will this really take?”

This guide offers realistic 6-, 12-, and 18-month maps designed to fit the most common pathways. These maps help you plan finances, logistics, time off work, milestones, and expectations — so you can move forward without confusion.

6-Month Plan — For Immediate Action Takers

A 6-month plan is ideal for intended parents who:

• Are ready to start treatment now
• Have completed or can quickly complete testing
• Want clarity on a single IVF or retrieval cycle
• Prefer local or same-country care

Months 1–2: Diagnostics & Preparation

• Ovarian reserve tests (AMH, AFC)
• Semen analysis
• Hormonal panel
• Infectious disease panel
• Uterine assessment (HSG, saline scan, hysteroscopy if needed)
• Cycle mapping

Months 3–4: IVF Cycle / Embryo Creation

• Ovarian stimulation
• Egg retrieval
• Fertilization & culture
• PGT (optional)
• Embryo freezing

Months 5–6: Transfer or Next Step Decision

• Frozen embryo transfer (FET)
• OR prepare a second cycle based on results
• Budget check: expectations vs actuals

Who this plan suits:
Women over 38, urgent timelines, donor-intended cycles, and individuals preparing for surrogacy embryo creation.

12-Month Plan — The Most Realistic & Flexible

This is the most common timeline for both IVF and early-stage surrogacy.

Months 1–3: Medical Mapping & Strategy

• Complete all diagnostics
• Meet specialists
• Review cycle predictions
• Budget planning
• Create “Plan A/B/C” based on response

Months 4–6: First Cycle / Embryo Creation

• Run first IVF cycle
• Complete PGT
• Review embryo quality and quantity
• Recovery window

Months 7–9: Second Attempt or Transfer Window

• If needed, run a second cycle
• If embryos ready: FET
• Emotional support planning

Months 10–12: Stabilize, Recover, Reassess

• Confirm pregnancy or next steps
• Adjust financial planning
• Prepare for surrogacy (if shifting to that route)
• Legal consults (for intended surrogacy parents)

Who this plan suits:
Most intended parents, including those with mild DOR, male factor, or early investigations into surrogacy.

18-Month Plan — For International Surrogacy or Complex Cases

This timeline incorporates legal, medical, logistical, and international steps.

Months 1–3: Diagnostics + Country & Clinic Selection

• Choose destination (US, Georgia, Mexico, etc.)
• Evaluate partner clinics
• Confirm legal framework
• Begin medical screenings

Months 4–8: Embryo Creation

• IVF in intended parent’s home country or destination
• Donor selection (if applicable)
• PGT

Months 9–12: Surrogate Recruitment + Legal Contracts

• Surrogate screening
• Surrogate-matching timelines (varies by region)
• Sign legal agreements

Months 13–18: Pregnancy + Logistics

• Pregnancy monitoring
• Travel planning
• Insurance planning
• Delivery preparation
• Passport & citizenship steps

Who this plan suits:
Cross-border surrogacy, intended parents with medical complexities, or those needing multiple cycles.

Case Study — Rebuilding Confidence Through Structured Planning

Profile:

• Couple, both 41
• AMH 0.8, mild male factor
• Considering surrogacy if not pregnant within a year

Plan Used: 12-Month Map

• Months 1–3: Full diagnostics + financial alignment
• Months 4–6: First IVF cycle → 1 low-grade embryo
• Months 7–9: Second IVF cycle → 3 PGT-normal embryos
• Months 10–12: One transfer → Negative result
• Shifted to surrogacy using frozen embryos

Outcome:

Pregnancy at Month 15, baby born at Month 24.
The map gave them emotional stability and predictable steps — even when plans shifted.

Testimonials

Shalini, 39 — India

“Before timeline mapping, everything felt chaotic. With the 12-month plan, we finally understood what to expect and how to budget.”

Maria & Luis — Spain

“The 18-month surrogacy map helped us stay organized and confident, especially with international paperwork.”

Aria, 42 — USA

“My 6-month IVF plan helped me act fast. No wasted time, no missed cycles, no confusion.”

Expert Quote

“A good plan doesn’t eliminate uncertainty — it organizes it. Clear timelines turn overwhelm into control.”
— Dr. R. Gulati, Fertility & Cross-Border Care Specialist

Related Links 

• Complete Guide to International Surrogacy
• IVF Step-by-Step
• Multi-Cycle Fertility Planning
• Egg Donation 101
• Surrogacy Legal Checklist
• Financial Planning for Intended Parents

Glossary

AMH: A hormone indicating ovarian reserve.
AFC: Count of resting follicles seen on ultrasound.
PGT: Genetic testing on embryos.
FET: Frozen embryo transfer.
DOR: Diminished ovarian reserve.
Surrogate Screening: Medical and psychological evaluation of a gestational carrier.
Legal Framework: Country-specific laws governing surrogacy.
Cycle Mapping: Predicting treatment windows based on menstrual cycle.
Cross-Border Care: Medical treatment delivered across countries.
Ovarian Stimulation: Medication protocol to produce multiple eggs.

FAQ (10–12 Questions With Long Answers)

Q. How do I know which timeline (6, 12, or 18 months) is right for me?

Ans. Choose based on urgency, medical complexity, and pathway.

• 6 months: ready now, simple IVF, one cycle
• 12 months: planning multiple cycles
• 18 months: international surrogacy or donor coordination

A fertility consult usually confirms your best fit.

Q. Can a 6-month plan include two IVF cycles?

Ans. Yes — but only with back-to-back cycles and minimal downtime. Most people prefer a 12-month structure to avoid burnout.

Q. Is the 12-month timeline realistic for women over 40?

Ans. Yes, especially for those doing planned multiple retrievals. Many over 40 require two cycles to secure enough embryos.

Q. How long does legal paperwork add to a surrogacy timeline?

Ans. Expect 3–5 months for screening, matching, and legal agreements in international programs.

Q. Does planning reduce costs?

Ans. Absolutely, clear timelines prevent last-minute travel, urgent medications, repeated scans, and wasted cycles.

Q. What happens if I fall behind the plan?

Ans. You adjust — not restart. A plan is a guide, not a deadline.

Q. Can I combine IVF and surrogacy timelines?

Ans. Yes. Many create embryos in Months 1–6 and shift to surrogacy in Months 7–12.

Q. How does travel affect timelines?

Ans. Cross-border journeys require:

• visa windows
• flight availability
• legal requirements
• surrogate-matching schedules

These often extend plans by 3–6 months.

Q. What if my first cycle fails — does the plan break?

Ans. No. Built-in buffers exist, especially in 12- and 18-month plans. You simply move to “Plan B” steps.

Q. Should I freeze eggs or embryos first?

Ans. Embryos shorten future timelines because testing and viability are known earlier. Egg freezing is ideal if you’re not yet ready for embryo creation.

Q. How do I align my partner’s schedule with the plan?

Ans. Add buffers during travel windows, retrieval week, and contract signing. Shared calendars or clinic apps help coordinate.

Q. Are longer timelines emotionally harder?

Ans. They can be — but structured planning provides predictability, which reduces anxiety and decision fatigue.