What is Natural Cycle IVF?

In Natural Cycle IVF, no medication is given to stimulate follicular growth. Close ultrasound monitoring of follicular development and hormonal levels is utilized to time the administration of GnRH agonist, which triggers final oocyte maturation. This is the simplest yet the most delicate treatment method, and it also has the least interference with the oocyte’s natural development. This adheres to nature’s process of natural selection.

From the second day of the menstrual period, follicular development is stimulated with oral medications and FSH or HMG injections. Very low doses of these medicines are given to support follicular growth while avoiding ovarian hyperstimulation. Upon sufficient follicular growth, a GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) agonist is administered to induce final oocyte maturation.

The added advantage of the Natural Cycle and Minimal Stimulation In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is lessening the chances of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS). This potentially fatal condition is likewise avoided by using GnRH agonist as a trigger. Studies have shown that better-quality embryos can be achieved with less medication. By not giving medicines or giving low doses of medicines to stimulate, IVF is made more affordable.

Natural cycle IVF will take about two to three weeks, from start to embryo transfer. A pregnancy test is performed about one to two weeks after the embryo is transferred, depending on the stage of the embryo transferred.

Minimal stimulation is divided into two parts: the first involves stimulation, oocyte retrieval, fertilization, embryo culture, and embryo freezing. This may take up to three weeks in total, but the only time both of you need to be present is the day of egg retrieval. The second part happens on the next menstrual cycle or any month that is convenient for both of you. In the second part, embryo transfer can take place between days 14 to 20, again depending on the stage of the embryo for transfer.

The medicine given to stimulate follicular growth can have an unwanted effect on the endometrium. To avoid this, we freeze all of the embryos and transfer them into the next cycle, which is a natural cycle.

A natural cycle means we do not give medicine to prepare the endometrium for the transfer. Your body will naturally prepare the endometrium, and we’ll monitor you and determine the perfect time for the embryo transfer.

The fertilized egg is cultured for 5 or 6 days, longer than usual until the embryo grows to the blastocyst. Although the embryo sometimes fails to grow to the blastocyst, the implantation rate with the blastocyst is twice as high as with the ordinary 4-cell stage embryo. This method is very effective in cases where the woman has oviduct abnormalities or has undergone unsuccessful embryo transfers several times before.

We recommend single embryo transfer to lessen the complications of multiple gestation. The only time we transfer two embryos is when the couple wants to increase their chances of having twins.

What is the treatment process like at the first consultation?

The treatment process would depend on the female client’s day in her cycle at the time of initial consultation. During the consultation, the doctor will assess the couple’s case and request the hormones and infectious screening tests, transvaginal ultrasound, and baseline semen analysis.

Before IVF, tests such as Day 2 FSH, LH, Estradiol, Progesterone, BHCG, antral follicle count for the wife, and semen analysis for the husband must be performed. More tests may be performed after the initial evaluation.

We do not perform IVF procedures involving third-party gametes (egg or sperm), nor do we employ surrogates.

No, we do not perform gender selection.

A thorough physical examination, followed by FSH, LH, and testosterone level determinations, is needed for an initial assessment. A biopsy (PESA/TESE) can be done to make a definitive diagnosis. Once sperm is obtained, they may be used or cryopreserved for future use.

We advise abstinence for at least 2 days but not more than 5 days.

Yes, you have two options: First is undergoing surgery to reattach the remainder of your fallopian tubes to the uterus (reanastomosis). After the surgery, you may try to get pregnant naturally after 6 months. If unsuccessful, then IVF is the next step. You may also opt for IVF as your first choice.

Certain tests like hormone level determination are checked at the start of a cycle. These hormone levels will guide us in recommending appropriate treatment.

If you underwent normal spontaneous delivery, you can start treatment one year later. If you underwent a cesarean section, it is better to start a year and a half to two years later.

Yes, you may undergo acupuncture, moxibustion, or massages during the treatment.

Yes, you may go to the dentist during treatment.

Yes, you may undergo an x-ray examination as long as we have not transferred the embryo/s yet. Once you have undergone embryo transfer, it is best not to undergo an x-ray examination.

After an analysis of the semen, we can cryopreserve any viable sperms found, provided the infectious disease tests are normal.

Your husband can collect ahead of schedule and have his sperm cryopreserved (frozen).

We use several medicines for stimulation. We use Letrozole, Clomiphene citrate, FSH, and HMG. These medicines stimulate more follicles to grow.

We will determine if your medication will have any unwanted drug interaction with the medicines for stimulation. If there is none, then you may continue taking them.

Yes, an endometrial thickness of at least 8 mm is favorable for implantation.

Our oldest patient is 44.5 years old. It was her first pregnancy after 15 years of trying.

When is the best time to come for a consultation?

You may come anytime. During your first visit, you will be advised to undergo initial screening tests.

For the initial consultation with the doctor, kindly bring your previous laboratory tests, semen analysis, ultrasounds, and clinical summaries (if available) related to the infertility work-up.

Preferably, initial consultations should be done as a couple. This way, the couple will be informed of the treatment options firsthand during the consultation. An informed couple can make better decisions in terms of choosing the best treatment option.

In case one partner is not available due to physical absence (overseas workers, scheduled trip overseas, out of town, etc.), initial consultation with one partner is acceptable.

Yes, we recommend that you set an appointment for your first consultation. We have a first come, first served policy.

A referral letter is not required.

All patients are patients of the clinic. Different doctors may handle your case at different times but we see to it that your initial doctor sees you most of the time.

The best time to come for starting an In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) cycle is on the wife’s second day of menstruation so that we can immediately start the blood work and initial evaluation.

Most of the time, the afternoon schedule is less crowded.

You may, but we don’t have a play area set for kids. They are also not allowed to run around the clinic.

Yes, you may still receive treatment even if you live far away from the clinic. You may stay in our accredited hostels / hotels / apartments near the clinic.

We schedule our symposium once a month. The schedule can be viewed on our website.

How much are the treatment costs?

For one cycle of Minimal Stimulation In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), we ask our patients to prepare more or less P400,000 inclusive of consultations, blood tests, ultrasound tests, medications, egg retrieval, and embryo transfer.

The estimated cost for IUI is approximately P35,000-P50,000. Inclusive of consultations, blood tests, and ultrasound tests.

The estimated cost for egg freezing is approximately Php200,000 (including the first 3 years of storage fee) inclusive of medications, then P13,552 for the annual storage extension fee.

*Prices of other services are discussed during the consultation with our doctors.

We accept cash, credit cards, online bank transfers, GCash, BDO Pay, Grab Pay, WeChat Pay, and Alipay.