Natural Cycle IVF

WHAT IS  NATURAL CYCLE IVF ?

Natural cycle IVF is in vitro fertilization, but just without the use of large amounts of medications to stimulate the ovary to make multiples eggs. Women do receive daily injections towards the end of the cycle to prevent early ovulation, and during that time small amounts of gonadotropin medication is necessary to support the growth of the egg. Patients are monitored in a natural cycle with ultrasounds and blood work to track the growth of the dominant follicle. Egg retrieval is then performed when the dominant follicle is determined to be an appropriate size. The egg that is retrieved is then fertilized in the laboratory in the same way as traditional IVF. If an embryo is produced and continues to develop, it is transferred back to the uterus, again in the same manner as conventional IVF.

WHY SHOULD I BE INTERESTED   IN NATURAL CYCLE IVF ?

Natural cycle IVF (unstimulated IVF) is an exciting alternative to traditional stimulated IVF cycles. It appeals to patients because it is low risk, has lower costs than stimulated IVF, and is patient-friendly. Natural cycle IVF offers patients the IVF process with fewer medications (meaning less cost and fewer injections), fewer side effects, and fewer office visits (all of which leads to less stress). Additionally, there is no risk of hyper stimulation and less physical stress on the body as a result of the minimal amount of medication taken. Also, natural cycle IVF minimizes the production of excess embryos and eliminates multiple pregnancies.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS  OF NATURAL IVF?

  • HIGHER QUALITY EGGS
  • Have a fear of needles The egg which is naturally selected by the body can be of higher quality than those produced in a stimulated IVF cycle.
  • BETTER FOR IMPLANTATION
  • Have a fear of needles By avoiding stimulating drugs, the womb is more receptive to pregnancy.
  • HEALTHIER BABIES
  • Have a fear of needles There is also evidence that babies born with Natural IVF are more likely to be born at full term and with a healthier birth weight.
  • SAFER FOR WOMEN
  • Have a fear of needles Reduced risk of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) with Natural Cycle IVF.

IS MINIMAL STIMULATION IVF THE SAME AS  NATURAL CYCLE IVF?

Minimal Stimulation IVF is different from natural cycle IVF in that a small amount of stimulation medication is used for the entire cycle. Minimal stimulation could mean either just oral medications (with no injections at the beginning) or a small amount of injections from the beginning of stimulation. It involves more drugs than natural cycle IVF but not a not as much as a full stimulated IVF cycle. Minimal stimulation represents another alternative for patients.

IS NATURAL  CYCLE IVF RIGHT FOR ME ?

There are three groups of women who are good candidates for natural cycle IVF.

  • For women considered “poor responders,” natural cycle IVF affords the opportunity to continue with the IVF process, even when ovarian stimulation has repetitively failed to produce multiple embryos. However, natural cycle IVF is not necessarily the recommended treatment for a “poor responder” if multiple ovarian stimulation is still possible.
  • For couples with infertility due to male factor (low or poor quality sperm), natural cycle IVF can provide an opportunity for fertilization through ICSI and at the same time avoid multiple pregnancies and unnecessary stimulation for an otherwise fertile female partner.
  • Women who cannot tolerate or do not desire to take hormonal therapy in order to conceive can still benefit from the IVF process.

YOUR IVF TREATMENT JOURNEY   AT CREATE

  • STEP 1
    • INITIAL CONSULTATION & SCAN
  • The first step to having fertility treatment is to come for an Initial Consultation and Advanced Ultrasound Scan with one of our expert clinicians.
  • STEP 2
    • TREATMENT CONSULTATION
  • 2 weeks before the start of your period you will come in to meet with a fertility nurse who will talk you through your treatment plan and go through the consent forms with you.
  • STEP 3
    • SCANS & BLOOD TEST
  • You will have 2 or 3 monitoring scans usually spaced days apart; each takes 20 minutes. The doctor may perform blood tests at these appointments.
  • STEP 4
    • EGG COLLECTION
  • This Procedure Is Performed In the Theatre under Sedation and Takes Around 45 Minutes.
  • STEP 5
    • EMBRYO TRANSFER
  • The embryo transfer is a quick and easy procedure which does not need sedation and feels similar to a smear test.
  • STEP 6
    • PREGNANCY TEST
  • We will invite you back to the clinic for a pregnancy blood test and give you the test results by the end of the day.