What is Mini IvF and how does it work

• Minimal stimulation IVF offers a low level of ovarian stimulation with oral medications (Clomid) and few stimulation medication injections. This type of stimulation will only produce a few follicles.  With typical IVF, if one cycle doesn’t work, you usually will have some embryos left over to freeze, which can be used during a frozen embryo transfer (FET). With mini-IVF, you are less likely to have any leftover embryos for future cycles.  This type of  stimulation is not an option for everyone, and does not produce the same success rates of regular conventional IVF, but it is less costly. There are fewer injections required and less time off from work for clinic visits.
• On Day 3 of the menstrual cycle, you start on a low dose of Clomid (50mg), but you don’t stop the Clomid in five days as is usually the custom. You just keep taking the Clomid until ultrasound monitoring shows the follicles to be ready for ovulation. A very low “booster” dose of gonadotropin (just 150 iu of FSH), is added on Days 8, 10, and 12. Clomid not only stimulates your own pituitary to release FSH naturally (by blocking estrogen’s suppressing effect), but also staying on the Clomid (a unique new approach) blocks estrogen’s stimulation of LH release, and so also prevents premature ovulation. Thus, with this simple change in protocol, the "old-fashioned", cheap Clomid is able to stimulate the development of smaller number of better quality eggs for IVF.
• The next step is to recognize that Clomid has a negative effect on the uterine lining (because it prevents estrogen from stimulating the endometrium). That is one reason why results in the past have been so poor with the use of Clomid for ovarian stimulation. The embryos are less likely to implant in such endometrium. But that problem is solved by using the protocol for embryo freezing, “vitrification.” Using this approach, we can now very safely freeze embryos with virtually no risk of loss. Frozen embryo transfers can then be performed in later natural cycles.
• Even though this type of stimulation produces fewer follicles,  you will still have the option of having your egg retrieval done under anesthesia with a board certified anesthesiologist. We believe in the comfort and safety of our patients.   

Mini IVF  One Cycle      OR 1,000 includes ICSI & local anesthesia
                                                                    
                                 OR 1,100 includes anesthesia & ICSI
                                               (culture to Day 3)

Mini IVF  Three Cycles  OR 2,300 includes ICSI & local anesthesia
             (within 9 mos.)                                                                        
                                 OR 2,600 includes ICSI with anesthesia

• Medications are in addition to this cost. Mini IVF between OR 100 to 250 per Mini IvF cycle
• Blood tests are not included in the packages