Minimal Stimulation In Vitro Fertilization: Soft-IVF™
Soft-IVF™ (similar to minimal stimulation IVF, mini IVF, micro IVF) represents a new approach to treating infertility by combining low dose ovarian stimulation with the latest advances in human embryology.
Soft-IVF is a great way to achieve your goal of having a baby while minimizing treatment costs and risk of complications (i.e. multiple pregnancy and ovarian hyperstimulation).
For over 25 years, after starting the Stanford IVF Clinic in 1985, we have been providing advanced reproductive treatments, including Soft-IVF, in the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California.
Compared with conventional In Vitro Fertilization, Soft-IVF is designed to stimulate development of a lower number of higher quality eggs. Oral medications are used to stimulate the ovaries and only a few shallow injections are needed.
In contrast to other San Francisco Bay Area IVF clinics, the cost of all treatments at Bay IVF Center is significantly reduced as we do not bill for physician care. Our Soft-IVF treatment fee includes the cost of all required medications.
The following points highlight the Soft-IVF treatment:
- Soft-IVF is more similar to spontaneous conception than conventional In Vitro Fertilization.
- We use very gentle ovarian stimulation minimizing side-effects (i.e. ovarian hyperstimulation).
- Soft-IVF greatly reduces the risk of a high order multiple pregnancy (triplets or more).
- Soft-IVF can be a very effective treatment for male factor infertility.
- Soft-IVF has been used as an alternative treatment for "low responders".
- You should be able to continue your everyday lifestyle during the treatment.
- Very few clinic visits are needed during your treatment (typically three to five).
- You will have your care in a very supportive, caring, and stress-free non-hospital setting. We hope that your appointments will feel more like visiting with a friend instead of a medical facility.
- You will never be billed for your physician’s care resulting in a significant reduction of the treatment cost.
Qualified candidates for Soft-IVF should expect a 25% to 33% probability of a successful outcome per procedure. Planning for more than one cycle of treatment may significantly increase the cumulative probability of a successful outcome.
The following table summarizes the differences between conventional In Vitro Fertilization and Soft-IVF:
|
||
Procedure |
|
|
3. Similar/identical egg retrieval procedure. 4. Similar/identical embryo transfer procedure. |
||
| Number of Clinic Visits | Approximately 5 to 6 brief visits and one two hour visit (egg retrieval). | Approximately 4 to 5 brief visits and one two hour visit (egg retrieval). |
| Side Effects | Small percentage of patients will develop ovarian hyperstimulation characterized by abdominal distension, pelvis discomfort, and possible electrolyte imbalance. | Minimal, if any, side effects. |
| Success Rate | Probability of a successful pregnancy is age and diagnosis dependent: Approximately 25% to 50% for good prognosis patients. | Probability of a successful pregnancy is age and diagnosis dependent: Approximately 25% to 33% for good prognosis patients. |
| Cost at Bay IVF Center | $6,780 plus medication (approx. $2,000 to $3,000) and required prerequisites (approx. $1,000 to $2,500). | $5,885 medications included, required prerequisites are approx. $1,000 to $2,500. |
Please see Soft-IVF and Soft-IVF Fee for detailed information about this procedure and its cost at Bay IVF Center.
We hope that you will enjoy exploring our Soft-IVF website and that it will be a useful educational tool for you. Please call or email us if you have any questions or would like any additional information, we would love to hear from you.
We look forward to meeting you at Bay IVF Center. It is our goal to minimize your treatment cost and help you achieve your pregnancy as quickly as possible.
