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What is Natural Modified IVF?

Natural Modified IVF, is a form of Natural IVF where the treatment is carried out within your natural menstrual cycle but is modified by introducing additional medication aimed at blocking your spontaneous ovulation and supporting the growth of the naturally selected follicle. This treatment has an improved success rate compared with Natural IVF while retaining many of the benefits.

During treatment, you will be given medication for 3-4 days to keep the growing follicles healthy and to avoid spontaneous ovulation prior to egg collection. Throughout your IVF cycle our doctors use advanced ultrasound technology to monitor the health and quality of your developing follicles as well as your body’s response to treatment. This allows our medical team to tailor treatment to offer you the best possible chance of success while protecting your safety and reducing side effects.

Our IVF treatments require specialist medical expertise and are delivered only by consultants. For the best chance of success, the clinic must be completely committed to this type of approach - and we are the only dedicated Natural and Mild IVF clinic in the UK.

Who is it for?

  • Women with low ovarian or egg reserve
  • Women with low Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) or high Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
  • Women who have had a poor response to conventional high-stimulation IVF (e.g. produced fewer than three eggs)
  • Women who want to avoid the risks and side effects of high-stimulation IVF
  • Women who are older but wish to try with their own eggs, rather than with donor eggs
  • Women with contraindication to stimulation drugs

Download our free brochure

 

What are the benefits of Natural Modified IVF?

Lower doses of fertility drugs and shorter treatment times

The conventional high-stimulation IVF approach generally uses drugs to shut the natural menstrual cycle down (‘downregulation’) before restarting it again and uses higher doses of stimulation drugs to mature lots of follicles. Natural Modified IVF does not shut the woman’s natural cycle down but works within it, and the process is focused on collecting the one or more high quality follicles naturally selected by the body.

In conventional high-stimulation IVF drugs are given in the form of daily injections for up to 21-28 days of daily injections before egg collection.  In Natural Modified IVF, medication is given to block spontaneous ovulation and support naturally selected follicle/s.  Medication is usually given for just 3-4 days, therefore drastically reducing the length of time taking injections and reducing the overall duration of treatment by weeks.

Reduced side effects and emotional burden

Studies have shown that higher doses of stimulation hormones can have a significant physical and emotional burden on patients.

 

Potential side effects of downregulation, a practice not included in any of our treatments, can include:

  • Menopausal symptoms (such as hot flushes)
  • Strong mood swings (such as feeling down or irritable) 
  • Headaches or migraines
  • Fatigue
  • Potential psychological or emotional burden

 

Potential side effects from high stimulation can include: 

  • Increased risk of thromboembolism
  • Increased risk of developing Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)
  • Possible weight gain
  • Risk of bloating and swelling
  • Potentially high psychological or physiological burden

 

Going through IVF treatment can be a highly emotive and stressful experience. At CREATE Fertility, we focus on IVF that is healthier for you, easier on your body and better for your baby. It is our mission to protect the long-term health of women and babies; taking responsibility for the future, as well as the present.

Reduced risk of OHSS

Another known health risk of higher doses of stimulation hormones in women with a high egg reserve through conventional high-stimulation IVF is a potentially dangerous condition called Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS), with symptoms that can include:

  • Rapid weight gain
  • Persistent nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Shortness of breath
  • Tight or enlarged abdomen
  • Bloating

 

Mild OHSS can occur in up to 30% of women going through conventional high-stimulation IVF, but the severe form is rare. In contrast, Natural Modified IVF works with your natural menstrual cycle, greatly reduciesthe risk of OHSS.

If you are at high risk of developing an oestrogen-related cancer because of family history, or have endometriosis or other medical conditions (such as melanomas or clotting problems) that could be affected by ovarian stimulation drugs, Natural Modified IVF may be better suited to protect your health.

Improved quality eggs

Eggs that are naturally selected by the body can be of higher quality than those produced in a stimulated IVF cycle. Naturally selected eggs can potentially have fewer abnormalities, while embryos created in conventional IVF can have an increased proportion of chromosomal abnormalities.

Reduced long-term health complications for babies

A 2017 study found that there is a reduced risk of babies born through Natural Cycle IVF having a low birth weight and prematurity.

Better for implantation

Research has shown that high levels of stimulation can adversely impact embryo implantation.

By reducing stimulating drugs, the womb is more receptive as there is a healthier womb lining, and therefore more chance of the embryo successfully implanting, leading to a healthy pregnancy.

 

Your IVF treatment journey at CREATE

Previous step
Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
Step 4:
Step 5:
Step 5:
Next step
  • Scan & Consultation

    The first step in your journey will be to have an Advanced Ultrasound Scan & Virtual Consultation with one of our highly experienced Fertility Consultants, you can book this online here.

  • Treatment Consultation

    2 weeks before the start of your period you will come in to meet with a fertility nurse who will talk you through your treatment plan and go through the consent forms with you.

     

  • Scans & Blood tests

    You will have 2 or 3 monitoring scans usually spaced days apart; each takes 20 minutes. The doctor may perform blood tests at these appointments.

     

  • Egg collection

    This procedure is performed in the theatre under sedation and takes around 45 minutes.

     

  • Embryo Transfer

    The embryo transfer is a quick and easy procedure which does not need sedation and feels similar to a smear test

  • Pregnancy test

    We will invite you back to the clinic for a pregnancy blood test and give you the test results by the end of the day.

    Start your journey

Your guide to fertility treatments and services

Want more information about Natural Modified IVF?

Download our free brochure to find out more.

Download Brochure

 

What's the difference between conventional high stimulation IVF & Natural Modified IVF?

In conventional high-stimulation IVF drugs are given in the form of daily injections for up to 21-28 days before egg collection. In Natural Modified IVF, medication is given for just 3-4 days, therefore greatly reducing the overall number of injections and the duration of treatment. The below diagram shows the potential difference in injection times, medication dosage and treatment duration between Natural and conventional high stimulation IVF methods:

IVF comparison

(For illustrative purposes only)

Natural Modified IVF overview

 

  Natural Cycle / Natural Modified IVF Conventional IVF
Patient suitability • Older patients
• Lower ovarian reserve
• Want to reduce risks & side-effects
• Want less medication		 Good ovarian reserve
(typically under 35 years old)
Injection time None - 4 days 21-28
days
Medication dosage None -
Low		 Medium -
High
Treatment duration Up to
2 weeks		 Up to
4 weeks
Cycle control Works with a woman's natural menstrual cycle Shuts down natural menstrual cycle (downregulation)
Time between cycles No break needed 2-3 months break due to stimulation
Focus of treatment Quality of eggs & embryos Quantity of eggs & embryos
For women    
Reduced injections ✔ —
Shorter treatment time ✔ —
Greatly reduced side-effects ✔ —
Reduced stress/emotional impact ✔ —
Reduced risk of OHSS ✔ —
Potentially for babies    
Reduced risk of low birth weights ✔ —
Reduced risk of prematurity ✔ —
Reduced risk of long-term health implications ✔ —
 

Success rates

CREATE Fertility has the most experience and expertise in Natural Cycle IVF in the UK. Professor Nargund is a pioneer in this type of IVF treatment and her team have published a number of research papers to advance the field, improving health outcomes for mother and baby, and improving success rates.

As these treatments are usually offered to women who are older or with low egg reserve, the success rates can be lower per cycle but cumulative success rates with 3 cycles of treatment are often significantly higher compared to a single cycle of treatment. Natural IVF provides women with low ovarian reserve the opportunity to have a baby with their own eggs if they are not yet ready to try with donor eggs.

Clinical pregnancies per embryo transferred | Natural Cycle IVF | Jan 19 - Dec 19 | CREATE St Paul's

View our success rates

Ultrasound Scan + Virtual Consultation
From only £200*

Our Advanced 3D Doppler Ultrasound Scan makes a detailed assessment of your fertility potential
Discuss your fertility health with a highly experienced fertility consultant and get a tailored IVF treatment plan.
*Terms & conditions apply.

Book appointment online

 

Natural Modified IVF costs

Our treatment package includes:

  • Treatment consultation
  • Monitoring scans
  • Egg collection
  • Embryology
  • Fresh embryo transfer
  • Early pregnancy scan 

1 Cycle

£3,345 - £3,495*

View our prices

 

*Important information
  • The cost of Natural Modified IVF will depend on your individual circumstances and your personalised treatment plan will be explained to you in more detail at your Initial Consultation.
  • Cycle Price: The cycle price can vary between clinics, to find your nearest clinic pricing click here.
  • Cycle package: Our cycle package includes monitoring scans, clinical advice, treatment plan consultation, egg collection, embryology, blastocyst culture (if appropriate), fresh embryo transfer, pregnancy test, early pregnancy scan and follow up consultation.
  • Required additions: There are also a number of additional costs that need to be added to your treatment. These are for Screening blood tests (HIV, Hep B & C), Cycle medication where appropriate (Ovarian stimulation medication, trigger medication and luteal support medication), monitoring blood tests (E2 & LH), sedation and HFEA fees that are not included in the cycle price. Exact costs will be discussed at consultation based on patients’ individual needs. The ‘estimated’ total cost of additional items for a cycle of Natural Modified IVF up to and including 6 week pregnancy scan is £2,240 – £2,310, bringing the ‘estimated’ total treatment cost to £5,585 - £5,805
  • Pre-treatment costs: In some circumstances patients may require further exploration and fertility tests such as Hysteroscopy (£2,100), HyCosy (£495), Thyroid blood tests (£55) or other Genetic Tests such as Karyotype (£295), Y Deletions (£195) or Cystic Fibrosis (£295). These will be an additional cost, exact costs will be discussed at consultation based on patients’ individual needs. Please download our price guide for more information.
  • Potential future costs: If you have additional embryos after your embryo transfer procedure, you will be given the option to freeze them to be used at a later date. This will be an additional cost of £1,140 which includes 2 years of storage. There is an annual storage fee after package storage has finished to keep frozen embryos stored (£395). To use frozen embryos you will need a Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) procedure (£2,395 - £2,495) which includes embryo thawing. The estimated total cost for an FET cycle including medication up to 12 weeks is £2,921 - £3,121. Once your treatment cycle is concluded if you require further medication scans or services as discussed with you clinician, these services are chargeable. Full details will be given to allow you to make an informed decision.
  • Elective freeze cycle - ‘Freeze All’: In specific cases there may be a medical need to freeze embryos called a ‘freeze all’, bringing an end to the cycle at egg collection. In these circumstances you may require, embryo freezing and cryostorage (£1,140) and a Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) procedure. In this case, the FET cycle is discounted by £400 to (£1,995 - £2,095 ). The estimated total cost of a discounted FET cycle, including medication up to 12 weeks is £2,521 - £2,612.
  • Abandoned cycles: In the event that a Treatment cycle is abandoned prior to egg collection/embryo transfer for medical reasons, a Cancellation Fee will be incurred of £250 per monitor scan that has been completed. Medication used will need to be repurchased in order to allow you to commence a new cycle when appropriate.
  • Male factor: If you have a fertility issue due to a male factor, you may require additional support and treatments such as ICSI. The cost for this is £1,275. Read more about male factor infertility.
  • Multi-Cycles: Some patients may wish to take up our 3 cycle treatment package to give them the best chance of success in their circumstances. We explain the specific details of this during your Initial Consultation & Scan.
  • Terms and conditions apply: View terms and conditions.

Your funding options

Cost is one of the biggest implications of private fertility treatment, we aim to make our treatments accessible for all so that's why we offer different funding options to help growing your family less stressful. To discuss funding options with one of our advisors contact us.

Payment plans available

  • 0% interest available over 12 months
  • Easy to manage monthly payments
  • 12 and 24 month plans available
Our payment plans

3 cycle packages

  • 3 and 6 cycle packages
  • Better value for patients who require more than one cycle
  • Can offer better success rates in some patient circumstances
3 cycle packages
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