For those couples who have been trying since long to conceive and looking for an alternative to Conventional IVF, Natural Cycle IVF could be the best available option. It is less expensive and very comfortable. Natural Cycle IVF has gained popularity, due to its simplified schedule and mainly for its low or no stimulation protocol. For some couples the option is much cheaper than usual IVF and the results can be as good as normal lVF.


How Natural Cycle IVF Works?

During a woman's natural cycle, her body self selects the optimum egg to be released in that cycle. The development of the follicle containing the egg is monitored by the fertility expert. The follicular monitoring is successfully done with ultrasound and keeping a check on the Estradiol hormone levels. When the egg gets matured, it is retrieved and fertilized in the lab. The patient returns after 3 days to complete the embryo transfer.


What are the Advantages of Natural Cycle IVF?

Natural Cycle IVF has many advantages; one of the most important being affordability. Natural cycle IVF generally cost only one third of the cost of regular IVF. There are many other advantages which includes:

• Those suffering from Cancer and for those who are at risk of developing Ovarian Hyper-Stimulation Syndrome (OHSS) Natural cycle would be the best option

• Simple and required small number of visits to the hospital

• Pregnancy rates are as good as to IVF

• Eliminates the risk of multiple pregnancy

Is there any disadvantages opting Natural Cycle IVF?

One of the main disadvantages of NC-IVF is premature surges in hormones and ovulation. This can occur in up to half of all menstrual cycles.

Natural cycle IVF is the most technically demanding form of IVF. Usually, there is only one follicle... one chance for an egg. That egg may fail to fertilize, fail to cleave or fail to grow into a healthy blastocyst. But once there is a healthy blastocyst, that patient may be more likely to conceive a normal singleton pregnancy than if she had undergone a stimulated cycle. The only fallback security in a natural cycle is perhaps trying again the next month.

The second main disadvantage is that pregnancy rates are seemingly lower than with conventional IVF, where multiple are placed in the uterus. However, due to the simplicity of the procedure, it can be performed consecutively. When this adjustment is made, many fertility treatment centers show a cumulative pregnancy rate of about 50% with patients who are 35 years old and younger.

Who are recommended for Natural Cycle IVF?

The best candidates for Natural Cycle IVF would be those patients who have regular menstrual cycles with ranges of 25-28 days cycles and who are 35 years old or much younger. However at Srushti we have achieved positive pregnancies for women who were more than 45 years. But for a patient who is older than 35 has a better chance for pregnancy using regular stimulated IVF. Another qualification would be for those having Day 2 FSH less than 20 and Day 2 Estradiol level less than 75. For those patients with diminished ovarian reserve or abnormal day 3 hormone levels, are recommended not to opt for Natural Cycle IVF.

Step-by-Step Schedule of Natural Cycle IVF