Series of ultrasound examinations to monitor the growth of follicles in the ovary.  

WHEN?

From the 9th to the 20th day of the menstrual cycle (if the cycle lasts 28 days). 

HOW?

Ovulation can best be understood through follicular monitoring. 

Transvaginal Ultrasound scan at regular intervals.

Ovaries, size of any active follicles in the ovaries with an egg, uterus and uterus lining is monitored. 

IS FOLLICLE SCAN PAINFUL?

  • Generally takes about 15 minutes
  • No known side effects
  • Simple & painless

AT WHAT RATE FOLLICLES GROW?

Usually at rate of about 1-2 mm per day. 

WHAT IS THE BEST SIZE OF FOLLICLES TO OVULATE?

Average diameter of the dominant follicle is 22 to 24 mm (range 18-36 mm) for normal cycle. 

IS IT SAME FOR STIMULATED CYCLE (HORMONAL TREATMENT)?

Not same as normal cycle.

In stimulated cycle (hormonal treatment), generally, all or most of the antral follicles grow. 

The growth rate will be different for each of them. 

WHICH IS MARKER TO PREDICT OVULATION?

Average diameter of the dominant follicle 

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR A FOLLICLE TO MATURE?

Follicles in one of your ovaries start to mature between days 6 and 14 of your menstrual cycle. 

Around days 10 and 14, an egg develops from one of these follicles. 

DO ALL FOLLICLES CONTAIN EGGS?

YES

WHAT IS A FOLLICLE ON AN ULTRASOUND?

ANTRAL (RESTING) FOLLICLE is a small, fluid-filled sac that contains an immature egg. 

The follicle scan be seen, measured and counted on Cycle Days 2, 3, and 5 by using ultrasound.

TRANSVAGINAL ULTRASOUND study that measures a woman’s ovarian reserve, or her remaining egg supply. 

The ovarian reserve reflects her fertility potential. 

INDICATORS OF OVARIAN RESERVE AND CHANCES FOR PREGNANCY WITH IVF

  1. Basal Antral Follicle Count 
  2. Age 
  3. Cycle Day 3 hormone levels   

OVULATION

A follicle that has grown and matured so that it is ready to ovulate and release its egg has grown to be about 18 mm or half an inch across. 

With ovulation , that fluid-filled cyst bursts open.  

SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS OF OVULATION

  1. Cervical mucus changes.
  2. Heightened sense of smell. 
  3. Breast soreness or tenderness.
  4. Mild pelvic or lower abdominal pain
  5. Light spotting or discharge
  6. Libido changes
  7. Changes in the cervix  

OVULATION IS SONOGRAPHICALLY DETERMINED BY: 

  1. follicle suddenly disappears or regresses in size
  2. irregular margins
  3. intra-follicular echoes. Follicle suddenly becomes more echogenic
  4. free fluid in the pouch of Douglas
  5. increased perifollicular blood flow velocities, on doppler 

WHAT IS THE NORMAL SIZE OF OVARY TO GET PREGNANT?

Ovaries - an average size of 3.5 x 2 x 1 cm 

Volume -between 3 and 6 ml.  

DOES OVARY SIZE AFFECT FERTILITY?

Women's ovaries get smaller throughout their childbearing years.

That ovary size measured by volume can serve as an accurate measure of future fertility,independent of age. 

CAN ONE FOLLICLE RELEASE TWO EGGS?

Only one ovulation can happen per cycle. 

CAN A WOMAN WITH CYST GET PREGNANT?

An ovarian cyst does not usually affect a woman's ability to conceive.  

DOES A CORPUS LUTEUM MEAN PREGNANCY?

The corpus luteum helps produce hormones that the body needs during the early stages of pregnancy. 

It is a vital part of fertility that enables pregnancy to occur. 

WHAT SHOULD BE ENDOMETRIAL THICKNESS FOR CONCEIVING?

Patients with an endometrial thickness between 7–8 mm had a decreased pregnancy rate, but no significant difference was shown when compared to patients with endometrial thickness in 8-14 mm. 

Implantation is necessary for a successful pregnancy and requires healthy endometrial receptivity.