What is Mini Stim IVF? Is Minimal Stimulation IVF Protocol Better Than Conventional IVF?

Double Board Certified OBGYN and REI, Dr. Natalie Crawford explains what minimal stimulation IVF is, what you need to know about it, and what the evidence says about it. If you are going through fertility treatments, it’s important to understand the decisions being made and knowing what is in your best interest.

Questions Answered:
What is ovarian reserve?
What is the process of IVF?
What are the types of minimal stimulation IVF?
Does minimal stimulation IVF give you better quality eggs?
What is best for a poor responder patient?
What protocol is best if you have low ovarian reserve?
What is INVOcell?
Why is INVOcell combined with mini stim?
Who is a good candidate for INVOCell?
Is mini stim cheaper than conventional IVF?
Does mini IVF save you money?
What studies compare minimal stimulation IVF versus conventional IVF?
What are the outcomes of mini IVF cycles?
What should you ask your doctor about your IVF protocols?
Can high gonadotropin dose be associated with lower live birth rate?

Resources:

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Fertility doctor, Natalie Crawford, MD is a double board certified OBGYN and REI, and co-founder of Fora Fertility, a boutique fertility practice in Austin, Texas.

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FORA FERTILITY:
715 W 34th Street, Austin, TX 78705

Listen to the AS A WOMAN PODCAST here:
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#fertility #fertilitydoctor #nataliecrawfordmd #doctor #asawoman

Sharing fertility facts to educate women about trying to conceive, getting pregnant, ovulation, fertility treatments, IUI, IVF, becoming a doctor, life as a woman in medicine, and more.

[sweeteternalreader]

The hight amount of medication damages the eggs, that is what is said, it gives better quality. It is like using fertiliser in your garden: the right amount makes the plant grow well, but if you apply more fertiliser thinking they will grow better, you actually burn the plants. Same principle. Particular old age woman who only produce 4, 6, 12 eggs per cycle, benefit from NOT frying those precious eggs. Hence minimal stimulation IVF works so well on them.

[sophiekia]

My clinic understimulated me on 150 units. I have a very high AMH and I was only left with 1 blastocyst from 15 eggs retrieved. I have to pay for another egg retrieval again. I am glad you have clarified there is no evidence of low dose stimulation leading to better outcomes, as this is clearly echoed in my results. My fertility clinic also market themselves as "the leader in mild and natural IVF", which I now realise is just a marketing ploy. I wish I would have watched this video a month ago, I will be switching clinics.

[sweeteternalreader]

Why some doctors seem to be so 'nervous' about the option of Mini IVF when they should advocate to use less medication under the principle of 'not hurting first'. Wondering, would that have something to do with cashing in from pharma?🤔

[darcyvalle]

I have dor and did better on a mini stim. The first time I had 1 low quality egg, 1 degenerated and 1 was immature. When I was on low stim I felt better overall, no crash after stopping stims, I got 5 mature eggs and 1 euploid blast.

[croi]

Hi Dr Natalie, thank you so much for all your info!! Can you make a video on dual stimulation (back to back cycle) and why you think is recommended instead of the mini IVF?(we live in Ireland and i don't know if in Europe this is more standard practice) I will have my second call with my doc to confirm the protocol for our journey and I would like to be prepared to ask the right questions. So grateful for your channel!!!

[maritzacampos]

Thanks so much Dr. Crawford this helps so much. I am still at the beginning stages of finding out I have DOR.

[srmedias]

Hi Dr Crawford :)
My clinic charges less for mini stim versus traditional. At 37 years old, AMH of 13.4 pmol/L, AFC of 20 do you think I would benefit from mini or traditional? I’ve tried different doses of letrozole in my IUIs but always ended up with just the one lead follicle (same as my unmedicated cycle).

[lanaa]

Love you, , very helpful information, , thanks.

[anna-kaymorrison]

I am currently doing a second mini stem ivf cycle. My doctor says that my ovaries are 10 years younger than my age. After seeing this video I wish I knew the difference and see if regular IVF would have been an option for me.

[marirodriguez]

Hi Dr. Question on the AFC count ultrasound. Does it have to be done on a certain day of your cycle? Or can it be performed any day throughout the month?

[KS-clbr]

can you do gentic testing with invocell

[kadimetsamagi]

i had mild, 150 bemfola dose only and only 4 eggs was collected and 3 fertilized and only 1 went in day 3 transfer, just waiting outcome now and good news, xx

[queenbee]

I'm 34 with an AMH of 1.1 and had 12 follicles when I was tested. I also am positive for a clotting disorder which meant I've never been on hormonal BC. Would you recommend mini stim or standard for me? Looking at options now

[siddhi]

Hello Doctor - i am 38 with good AMH 2.6. I have lupus and extremely worried about hormone injections triggering lupus in ivf. Should i consoder mini ivf?

[giengarcia]

Thanks for the info dr. I was worried about my egg quality, i’m 35, took over a year to get pregnant then had a missed miscarriage- it’s almost been a year, 1 failed iui and i’m not pregnant. My fertility dr. Told me alcohol is ok before the 2 TWW period. Is this even valid info???

[Healinghands]

So for DOR poor responders mini IVF is the best choice?

[laurahaas]

So priming with omnitrope and LDN for 1-3 months before an egg retrieval doesn't help the quality either ?

[Endahsusi-ds]

Regular IVF too much injections or using hormone meds, I won't do it. Shannen Doherty got breast cancer because she was trying for IVF, not good for women that sensitive to synthetic hormones.

[UsamaKhan-cvlr]

Can we select gender selection in mini ivf ?