Natural Cycle IVF

Working with your body’s natural
monthly menstruation cycle

INTRODUCTION

Natural cycle IVF (in vitro fertilisation) simply means the of collection and fertilization of the one egg (a single oocyte) that a woman releases during her normal monthly menstruation cycle.

This method can appeal to couples because it provides a lower risk, patient friendly alternative to conventional IVF treatment as there are no medications required to stimulate the woman’s ovaries to induct egg production.

Who

Natural Cycle IVF is suitable for woman who wish to limit the amount of medication they take during a fertility treatment, older women who do not produce many egg follicles during a previous traditional cycle of ovarian stimulation when high doses of medication would not yield any more eggs, women at high risk of OHSS (including PCOS sufferers), those who can’t take medications due to another medical condition or when receiving cancer treatment, those who do not wish to freeze any eggs or embryos and those who do not want to risk a multiple pregnancy.

If male factor infertility is diagnosed, such as low or poor quality semen, natural cycle IVF can also provide an opportunity to fertilise the egg using ICSI, therefore avoiding the risk of multiple pregnancies and unnecessary ovarian stimulation of the fertile partner.

How

We will need to monitor your cycle using ultrasounds and blood tests to find out when you are likely to ovulate. At this time, a single injection of hCG or Lupron will be given to prepare your egg for retrieval.

We may also need to use an antagonist to prevent premature ovulation to ensure that we don’t have to cancel the retrieval procedure. An egg collection is performed and the egg is then fertilised with your partner’s (or donor’s) sperm in our laboratory the same way as in a traditional IVF treatment. The resultant embryo will be monitored before transfer back to the uterus to continue developing as in a normal pregnancy.

What next?

Once the embryo has been transferred into your uterus, you will be need to continue taking any drugs prescribed in your treatment and wait 16 days before taking a pregnancy test to see if your treatment has been successful. You can continue your day to day activities but we recommend you refrain from any strenuous physical exercise and rest if you feel you need to. The clinic will confirm your pregnancy with ultrasound scans and blood tests before discharging you back to your own GP for antenatal care.

WHAT ARE THE SIDE-EFFECTS/RISKS?

Depending on the quality of your eggs and sperm, we cannot guarantee that fertilisation will occur. Additionally, because you will only have produced one egg for retrieval and fertilisation, there will not be an opportunity to freeze any additional resulting embryos that you would have had using a traditional stimulated IVF cycle.

Treatments

Find out more about our related services

Why Choose Us?

Here are some facts about your fertility journey with us that we’d like to share with you:

Every evaluation and treatment plan is uniquely tailored to meet your individual needs

You will have access to leading professionals, with over 35 years combined expertise, providing you with confidence and reassurance in your fertility diagnosis and subsequent treatment

Our multidisciplinary team includes specialists in fertility, urology, nutrition, counselling, genetics, endocrinology, haematology and weight management to provide a comprehensive range of support as and when you need it

We will work with you closely to understand your individual circumstances, identify any problems and agree with you, the best course of action to help make your dream a reality

We will always be honest and open about your chances of success with treatment.

Your comfort and care is always our top priority

Our focus remains entirely on you as an individual, your unique needs and your wellbeing

All investigations and treatments are provided within our new state-of-the-art clinic based in Elstree which offers a spacious environment with comfortable surroundings, to enhance your care and experience. We offer investigations and scans at our satellite locations too.

Our friendly consultant-led team is here to support you at every step throughout your fertility journey