In vitro fertilization (IVF) can help couples get pregnant when natural conception just doesn’t seem to work. At California Center for Reproductive Health, we stimulate and closely monitor the woman’s ovulatory process during IVF. When the eggs are ready, they’re extracted and put together with sperm in a laboratory.
Once the fertilized eggs form embryos, they’re placed back into the woman’s uterus with the goal of a successful pregnancy.
IVF uses fertility medications to stimulate ovulation and egg development. Mini IVF, also called micro or minimal stimulation IVF, is similar to traditional IVF but uses less medication. The procedure produces only a few eggs as a result and may not include any ovary-stimulating drugs.
We carefully review your history and health to determine if you’re a good candidate for mini IVF. If you are, there are five primary benefits of going with this form of assisted reproductive technology.
1. Reduced risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
The daily injections of fertility medications that are part of traditional IVF can cause ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. This condition causes the ovaries to swell and become painful.
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome can cause sudden and extreme weight gain and other unwanted health complications. Because mini IVF requires lower doses of fertility medications, your risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is greatly reduced.
2. Less cost
Traditional IVF requires daily injections of pricey fertility medications. Not all couples can financially afford the process and then provide for their family. Mini IVF offers a more affordable alternative with as good of an outcome.
In general, each mini IVF cycle costs less than half of a traditional IVF cycle.
3. Better choice for women with low ovarian reserve
Low or diminished ovarian reserve means your ovaries do not produce a normal number of eggs. It may result from disease, injury, genetics, or aging. When you have this condition, it’s unlikely the high doses of fertility drugs used during traditional IVF will produce a high quantity of eggs.
The smaller doses used with mini IVF will give you the same results and equal chance at achieving a successful pregnancy.
4. No provocation of cancer
If you’re trying to preserve your fertility prior to cancer treatment, mini IVF may be the best option. The lower doses of medication are less likely to cause complications with your cancer but still allow you to look forward to a family after treatment.
5. Reduced risk of having multiples
Traditional IVF can increase your chances of having twins or other multiple births. The high doses of fertility drugs lead to the production of many viable eggs and embryos. Multiples can cause a high-risk pregnancy and other complications.
With IVF, you can choose to transfer just one or two embryos, reducing your chance of becoming pregnant with twins, triplets, or more.
Our goal with mini IVF is to create two or three quality embryos to place in the uterus to achieve pregnancy. The good news is that if a cycle doesn’t take, you can start again right away.
Call one of our offices in Encino, Alhambra, Valencia, or West Hollywood if you’re struggling with infertility. We want to help you create the family you want in the easiest, least invasive way. You can also reach out to us via our website.
