What is Mild IVF treatment?
Mild in vitro fertilisation (IVF), also known as mini IVF, is our advanced alternative to conventional IVF. It is a good treatment to explore if you are under 45, have a low or very Low Ovarian Reserve, Endometriosis or other similar reproductive obstacles, and have been told that you can no longer use your own eggs in traditional infertility treatments.
Turning to donor eggs can be a complex and difficult decision. Our Mild IVF provides a viable “last chance” to fall pregnant using your own egg cells. That’s because the NatuVitro treatment process uses fewer injections and hormone doses, which results in better quality eggs. We freeze the blastocysts in order to implant them in your next cycle, which in turn means that your uterine lining is in a healthier state to accept implantation. At NatuVitro, we are experienced in working with highly challenging cases and have witnessed many unexpected and joyous pregnancies. Read our low ovarian reserve and natural pregnancy success stories here.
What makes our Mild IVF treatment better?
When it comes to low ovarian reserve IVF, many conventional fertility clinics take the view that the lower the ovarian reserve, the higher the stimulation. We disagree. At NatuVitro we believe that little to no stimulation creates higher quality eggs. What’s more, we transfer a frozen blastocyst (day-5 embryo), which significantly increases the success rate. Our view is supported by numerous studies**, publications and years of experience. Read more about our mild IVF success stories here.
**Source: 2015 Assisted Reproductive Technology National Summary Report, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, and Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology, Figure 32, October 2017.
Less stimulation medication
Mild IVF eliminates the need for excessive amounts of artificial stimulation medication and the associated side effects it can have on your body, allowing your well-being and natural cycle to be at an optimal state.
Anaesthesia-free (optional)
The minimally invasive and painless ovarian puncture does not require the use of anaesthesia. We use gentle protocols and the thinnest of needles to make your retrieval experience as painless as possible. The majority of our patients don’t require anaesthesia, however, your specific needs will be taken into consideration when working together with your doctor.
Designed for you
You are unique, as is your body. As a boutique fertility clinic, we focus our attention on one patient at a time.
This means that we personalise your treatment to your needs. A one-size-fits-all solution is simply not an option.
Our Spanish location
Any form of Low Ovarian Reserve IVF with frozen embryos has a consistently higher success rate than fresh cycles. Unlike the rest of Europe*, Spain’s legislation allows for unlimited blastocyst culture and embryo freezing, two essential elements for Mild IVF to work.
See the country comparison here.
What is a Low Ovarian Reserve?
Ovarian reserve refers to the number of eggs a woman has available at any given time. A Low Ovarian Reserve directly impacts a woman’s fertility. Ovarian reserve decreases with age, and while the process is slow and progressive, it is more evident from age 37 onwards.
Hormonal changes due to ovarian failure can also influence and change the pattern of the menstrual cycle and the ovulation and implantation window may no longer be synchronised. Over time, this can make conceiving a child naturally increasingly difficult.
Low Ovarian Reserve in young women, although less common, is not unheard of. It can affect women who have suffered ovarian failure prematurely or can be triggered by other causes such as Endometriosis, medical therapies, hereditary factors, surgery, chemotherapy, or other environmental or lifestyle factors.
That is not to say that with having a Low Ovarian Reserve, a natural pregnancy can’t be achieved. There are Low Ovarian Reserve treatment options available, such as Mild IVF (mini IVF) for Low Ovarian Reserve, among others.
Is Mild IVF treatment right for me?
Yes. And we have the success rates to prove it. You can definitely benefit from Mild IVF treatment if you:
- Are between 18 and 45 years old.
- Are physically capable of carrying a baby.
- Are experiencing severe fertility obstacles and would prefer to use your own eggs instead of egg donation.
- Have been diagnosed with Low Ovarian Reserve or show Low Ovarian Reserve Symptoms.
- Have been diagnosed with Endometriosis.
- Haven’t enjoyed success with traditional fertility treatments.
- Have a hormonal disorder such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and run a high risk of developing Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS).
- Are a cancer warrior or survivor.
*Talk to us to find out if you are a good candidate for Mild IVF or would like to learn more about the best fertility
treatment for low ovarian reserve, or to explore other possibilities.
How Mild IVF works
Naturally, your dedicated NatuVitro specialist will have an in-depth conversation with you that is
appropriate to your specific fertility needs. But here is a simplified version of how Mild IVF works.
READ OUR FAQS
PHASE 1
Stimulation
This multi-level phase includes a thorough review of your medical history, a personalised mild stimulation plan, follow-up and precise ultrasound monitoring. It’s important to note that medication is kept to a minimum, which means less associated side effects and greatly reduced costs.
PHASE 2
Ovulation Control
Using highly accurate ultrasound monitoring, coupled with our intimate knowledge of your menstrual cycle, our NatuVitro medical team knows the precise moment that your follicles are at a perfect state of maturation and ready to induce ovulation. (However, unlike traditional clinics that use Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) which replaces the natural Luteinizing hormone (LH) surge, NatuVitro only uses medication that induces the natural LH surge.) Your fertility expert will then retrieve your best eggs using an ovarian puncture, which is a painless process that makes the use of anaesthesia optional.
PHASE 3
Semen Processing
Your partner’s semen is collected and prepared for the IVF procedure in the lab. If you are using donor sperm, this has already been prepared and frozen by the donor sperm bank. We take safety and traceability extremely seriously. Our IVF lab is equipped with one of the most sophisticated double security systems (among others), designed to eliminate any handling errors.
PHASE 4
Blastocysts Creation
Using Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), our highly skilled embryologist injects a single sperm using a micro-needle directly into the egg. Inside the protected environment of the EmbryoScope Flex Incubator ®, they develop into a blastocyst (day-5 embryo).
PHASE 5
Blastocysts Freezing
Your 100% unaltered blastocysts are now frozen (vitrified), which is necessary to synchronize with the implantation window. The vitrified blastocysts are safely stored until you are 100% ready for your transfer.
PHASE 6
Endometrial Preparation
Your endometrium is primed and prepared to make sure that your lining is in optimal condition to receive embryo transfer. We may use either the Natural-cycle or the Hormone-replacement therapy, guided by your preference.
PHASE 7
Embryo Transfer
Your embryo is gently deposited into your uterus. Guided by ultrasound, it is a risk-free and painless procedure that is carried out in the comfort of our tranquil transfer room. No anaesthesia is required.
PHASE 8
Pregnancy
15 days after transfer, we take a blood pregnancy test. You will also have a follow-up appointment where we check in to see how you are feeling physically and emotionally and talk about the next steps.
Country Comparison
Germany
The Embryo Protection Law only allows the fertilisation of as many eggs that will be transferred, which is a maximum of 3. No embryo freezing is permitted which makes this an unfavourable destination for any form of Low Ovarian Reserve IVF.
France
French guidelines prevent doctors from carrying out egg retrievals in patients with 3 follicles or less. However, the majority of patients with Low Ovarian Reserve will have less than 3 follicles.
Italy
Although there are fewer restrictions, Italy’s doctors are required to justify each case. To avoid unnecessary conflict and admin, the tendency is to limit the number of embryos created and frozen.
Spain
Spain’s combination of favourable laws allow unlimited blastocyst culture and embryo freezing which are an absolute requirement for satisfactory results in patients with Low Ovarian Reserve.
Treatment cost
EMBRYODONATION
Dedicated Patient Assistant
Monitoring
IVF Witness Security
Endometrium Preparation
1 single frozen blastocyst transfer
Pregnancy test at NatuVitro
8th Week monitoring at NatuVitro
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Does not include:
Mandatory blood tests required by law
Total cost €2,800
For rare phenotypes, please contact us
Common Questions
Visit the FAQ page
Can I do a fresh embryo transfer in Mild IVF?
We wouldn’t recommend it. The chances of conceiving are much greater if you transfer the embryos in a deferred cycle. This is because the uterus has been altered by the stimulation medication and we prefer it to be in an optimal state. For higher implantation success, we recommend that the transfer is made in an unstimulated cycle.
How long does the Mild IVF process take?
It is important to note that Mild IVF is a long-term commitment of roughly 5 to 6 months. You will be stimulated and your eggs will be retrieved and stored until you have a sufficient supply, or until your natural reserve is depleted. Each stimulated cycle is based on your menstrual cycle and takes around 10 to 14 days. You can expect fewer injections, blood tests and scans than with conventional IVF treatments.
Is it possible to do the treatment without aneasthesia?
Yes. The procedure is performed by a highly-skilled and experienced doctor using very fine instruments. Given that there are fewer follicles to retrieve, the procedure is a matter of minutes. That said, the decision of how you would like to proceed is entirely up to you.
How long will it take for me to get pregnant?
Mild IVF is a long-term commitment of about 5 to 6 months. You are stimulated and your eggs are retrieved and banked until you have sufficient banked supply or until the waning reserve is depleted.
Treatment Options
Artificial Insemination in Natural Cycle
Artificial Insemination (AI) – also known as Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) – is when healthy washed sperm is introduced directly inside the uterus when you are ovulating. This greatly improves your chances of conceiving without having sexual intercourse.
Natural Cycle IVF
Natural Cycle in vitro fertilisation (IVF) is an advanced alternative to conventional intrauterine insemination (IUI). It can be done in subsequent cycles without your body needing rest in between so you can make the most of the time you have. At the time of ovulation, we aspirate one natural egg in a simple procedure that doesn’t require anaesthesia.
Natural Reciprocal IVF
Reciprocal in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in Natural Cycle, or Natural Reception of Oocytes from the Partner (ROPA), enables a woman to carry the fertilized egg of her female partner. The genetic mother is typically younger than 35 and has had no fertility issues, while the mother carrying the baby can be up to age 50.
Mild IVF treatment
Mild in vitro fertilisation (IVF), also known as mini IVF, is our advanced alternative to conventional IVF. It is a good treatment to explore if you are under 45, have a low or very Low Ovarian Reserve, Endometriosis or other similar reproductive obstacles, and have been told that you can no longer use your own eggs in traditional infertility treatments.
IVF with Egg Donation
The desire to experience the joy of pregnancy and the bond that forms between a mother and her child during pregnancy is powerful and natural. If you have exhausted all other fertility treatment options with your own eggs – including Mild IVF – our IVF with Egg Donation treatment could help you become a mother with the help of an egg donor.
Ferti Freeze
Ferti Freeze, also known as Female Fertility Preservation, Social Egg Freezing or Oocyte Cryopreservation, is a technique used to preserve your current fertility by retrieving your eggs in their current healthy and quality condition. Your eggs are frozen (vitrified) and safely stored for when the time is right for you.