What is 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 time of ovulation, we aspirate one natural egg in a simple procedure that doesn’t require anaesthesia. This egg is then fertilised in the lab and after a few days of culture, the embryo is placed into your uterus in the same cycle.
What makes our treatment better?
Many fertility clinics offer high stimulation IVF right from the start, but as a natural IVF clinic, we believe that too many hormones put your health – and that of your baby’s – at unnecessary risk. This is why we prefer gentler alternatives that take a more natural and sustainable approach to mild infertility problems. Our mothers-to-be have two options to choose from: the first is stimulation-free, which achieves the maturation of one viable egg for IVF, while the second option is extremely light stimulation, which achieves a maximum of 3 viable eggs.
Little to no stimulation medication
By reducing the frequency and use of artificial stimulation medication, you don’t have to struggle with the associated side effects that the excess use of these drugs can have on your body. This also means that your natural cycle will be in top condition for successful embryo implantation and a better quality of the egg.
Little to no injections
Your comfort is our priority. We help you find a healthier way to build your family without daily injections, ongoing blood work and artificial hormones.
Less risk of OHSS
Natural Cycle IVF completely removes the risk of Ovarian Hyper Stimulation Syndrome (OHSS), which can be a dangerous side effect of medically induced artificial stimulation.
Very low risk of multiple pregnancies
Most obstetrics agree that carrying multiple embryos to term increases the risk to the mom and her babies’ lives. Natural Cycle IVF stimulates a maximum of 3 eggs in any given cycle and we have full control of how many embryos will be implanted. However, there is the possibility that after transfer of one embryo, it could still divide and become twins, which is out of our control.
Anaesthesia-free
We follow gentle protocols and use the finest needles possible to make the egg retrieval experience as pain-free as possible. We have refined this process to the point that you won’t need anaesthesia, which reduces both the treatments costs and risks to you.
Higher quality eggs, healthier womb
Studies show that high levels of stimulation (which is typically used in traditional IVF treatments) can negatively affect embryo implantation. By avoiding hormonal medication, your uterus is more receptive – and its lining is healthier – increasing your chances of successful implantation. What’s more, in natural cycle IVF treatments, your body (the best specialist of all) naturally selects the best oocyte in each cycle.
No rest period
While traditional hormonal stimulation takes a toll on the ovaries, the natural cycle places no stress on the body.
This means you don’t need to take breaks in between cycles and can undergo back-to-back treatments in a shorter period of time.
Low cost
Natural Cycle IVF requires little to no follicle-stimulation medication or anaesthesia. What’s more, the ‘cost per live birth’ (a measurement of IVF success) in Natural Cycle IVF is significantly cheaper than in conventional IVF.
Is Natural Cycle IVF the right treatment for me?
Yes. And we have the success rates to prove it. You can definitely benefit from IVF in Natural Cycle if you:
- Are younger than 35*.
- Have mild fertility challenges but don’t want high-dose hormonal stimulation.
- Are at high risk of developing +Ovarian Hyper Stimulation Syndrome (OHSS).
- Are challenged by a history of hormone-sensitive cancer or a strong family history of
cancer.
How Natural Cycle IVF works
Naturally, your dedicated NatuVitro specialist will have an in-depth conversation with you that is
in line with your specific fertility needs. But here is a simplified version of how Natural Cycle IVF works.
READ OUR FAQS
Ovulation Control
Using ultrasound monitoring, your specialist doctor will pinpoint the exact moment you ovulate and when to retrieve your matured eggs. 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.
Semen Processing
Your partner’s semen is collected and prepared for the IVF procedure in the lab. If you are using donor sperm, it 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.
Embryo Culture
In our laboratory we are able to fertilize the eggs with two different methods. The first method is, the more natural Conventional IVF where the mature egg is exposed to the prepared sperm sample and where the sperm fertilizes the egg naturally through natural selection. The second method is, the more invasive Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), where a single sperm is injected with a micro-needle directly into your egg. The decision and the best way forward will be discussed between you and your doctor. IVF in Natural Cycle doesn’t require freezing or blastocyst culture and statistics show that the best results are obtained with fresh day 2 or 3 embryos, that were developed inside the protected environment of the EmbryoScope Flex Incubator ®.
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.
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.
Treatment cost
IVF IN NATURAL CYCLE
Dedicated Patient Assistant
Follicle/Cycle monitoring
Scans and/or hormonal tests at NatuVitro
IVF Witness Security
1 Egg retrieval
ICSI or conventional fertilization
Blastocyst stage culture of the embryo
1 Fresh embryo transfer
Pregnancy test at NatuVitro
8th Week monitoring at NatuVitro
__
Does not include:
Medicine if any
Mandatory blood tests required by law
(Only if needed) European donor sperm: +€500
Anaesthesia (If requested): +€300
Embryo Vitrification: +€600
Additional transfers
Total cost €3,495
IVF
Dedicated Patient Assistant
Follicle/Cycle monitoring
Scans and/or hormonal tests at NatuVitro
IVF Witness Security
1 Conventional or mild stimulation
1 Egg retrieval with anaesthesia
ICSI or conventional fertilization
Blastocyst stage culture of the embryo
1 Fresh embryo transfer
Pregnancy test at NatuVitro
8th Week monitoring at NatuVitro
___
Does not include:
Medicine
Mandatory blood tests required by law
(Only if needed) European donor sperm: +€500
Embryo vitrification: +€600
Additional transfers
Total cost €4,990
IVF WITH SPERM DONOR
Dedicated Patient Assistant
Follicle/Cycle monitoring
Scans and/or hormonal tests at NatuVitro
IVF Witness Security
1 Conventional or mild stimulation
1 Egg retrieval with anaesthesia
European donor sperm
ICSI or conventional fertilization
Blastocyst stage culture of the embryo
1 Fresh Embryo transfer
Pregnancy test at NatuVitro
8th Week monitoring at NatuVitro
__
Does not include:
Medicine
Mandatory blood tests required by law
Embryo vitrification:+€600
Total cost €5,490
IVF GENETIC PREIMPLANTATIONAL GENETIC SCREENING FOR ANEUPLOIDIES (PGT -A)
Dedicated Patient Assistant
Follicle/Cycle monitoring
Scans and/or hormonal tests at NatuVitro
IVF Witness Security
1 Conventional or mild stimulation
1 Egg retrieval with anaesthesia
ICSI fertilization
Blastocyst stage culture of the embryo
Embryo biopsy and diagnosis (NGS)
Endometrium Preparation
1 Frozen embryo transfer
Pregnancy test at NatuVitro
8th Week monitoring at NatuVitro
__
Does not include:
Medicine
Mandatory blood tests required by law
Sperm donor (if needed)
Embryo vitrification +€600
Additional frozen embryo transfers
Total cost €5,980
Success Rates
NatuVitro’s Natural Cycle IVF success rate per transfer is significantly higher than that of conventional IVF.
The innovative work we do around Natural Cycle IVF has earned us the honour of being the Reference Clinic of Choice in Europe
The success rate of one stimulated IVF cycle is the equivalent of a maximum of 3 natural IVF cycles. This is not to say you will need 3 natural cycles to conceive, if you are young and healthy, you may get lucky on your first attempt.
* Natural Cycle IVF can be recommended if you are older than 35, depending on your overall health and circumstances. Please contact us to talk about your options.
Common Questions
Visit the FAQ page
How long does the Natural Cycle IVF process take?
The entire process is based on your menstrual cycle and takes around 10 to 14 days. Given its less invasive nature, you can expect fewer injections, blood tests and scans. All of which means less stress for you.
Egg retrieval without anaesthesia sounds terrifying, is it painful?
No. The procedure is performed by a highly-skilled and experienced fertility doctor using very fine instruments. According to a survey conducted in Bern, 80% of women stated the puncture was no worse than having blood drawn. In over 3 000 cycles conducted in Bern, not a single patient had to halt the retrieval because of pain. After the puncture, which takes about 2 minutes, our patients may go home or even return to work.
Where are my embryos stored and how long are they stored?
For Natural Cycle IVF we typically do fresh transfers. If, however, there is a surplus of embryos, we can store them for you for as long as you want. More importantly, we know how important preserving eggs, sperm and embryos is, which is why we have state-of-the-art secure-access rooms with sensors and alarms that are monitored around the clock.
What happens after my Natural Cycle IVF treatment?
You can go home or even straight back to work, it’s entirely up to you. We will ask you to come in for a pregnancy test in two weeks’ time.
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.