Natural Cycle IVF - Vote Early, Vote Often

Readers of this blog know that we believe in Natural Cycle IVF. Although some of our colleagues think that this is akin to believing in the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, Alien Abduction and in the recently passed Economic Stimulus Package.....we really do practice what we preach.

We receive calls from all over the US asking about Natural Cycle IVF and I usually encourage patients to ask their local RE to see if they can do it rather than traveling to VA. Usually they are told that it is not an option and no one does it here in the US. They are wrong and we are trying to change attitudes about Natural Cycle IVF.

Last week a survey was sent to all IVF clinics in the US asking REs to weigh in on Unstimulated IVF. For those interested here is the survey. I hope that the results help us to change how Unstimulated IVF is reported as I view this as a real stumbling block to getting more clinics to pursue Natural Cycle IVF. The other factor is you, dear readers. "If you build it, they will come." So if you are interested in Natural Cycle IVF, then make calls, send letters, call in to talk shows, get us on Oprah...This is the antidote to the octuplet disaster! (Almost certainly not IVF by the way).



SO can Natural Cycle IVF really work?? Yes indeed and here is a real patient's story to show it!

Clinical Vignette#4: Natural Cycle IVF Works!

RT is a 24 year old who initially came in for consultation over the summer. She and her husband had been trying to conceive for over 2.5 years without success. All of her testing had been totally normal but his semen analysis was extremely abnormal with a perm count of 1 million/mL and very poor morphology and motility. He had undergone genetic testing (normal) and a urology evaluation (normal). The couple had been informed (correctly) that IVF with ICSI was the best option unless they were interested in using a sperm donor (which they didn’t).

However, financially IVF was a reach for them and they looked at a variety of options. They traveled to NJ where a clinic was doing a research study on IVF but they did not want to participate and RT was concerned as well about using fertility drugs. They learned about Natural Cycle IVF on the internet and drove 2.5 hours to have a consultation with me.

We discussed Natural Cycle IVF vs. regular stimulated cycle IVF and the couple was really excited about trying natural cycle IVF. Every day of monitoring they drove 5 hours round trip to come to Arlington and on day 10 she had a 17x14 mm follicle with an E2 of 141. We gave her HCG, did the retrieval and got a mature egg. It fertilized with ICSI and she underwent ET with a beautiful compacting 8 cell grade I/early morula on day 3. Her first beta was 1422 and was sent off to her Ob after fetal cardiac activity was seen on sonogram.

In a lovely letter she thanked us for providing Natural Cycle IVF stating that it was an answer to their prayers for a treatment option that was ideal for them.