Lean IVF

What Is Lean IVF?

In vitro fertilization  is the most commonly used assisted reproduction treatment (ART) technique today. After 21 years of experience and 35.000 IVF treatments, we have developed the "Lean IVF" method by removing all unnecessary procedures and medications that do not affect the chance of pregnancy during IVF cycles. This new and very convenient approach also allows for considerable reductions in treatment costs.

Who Is An Eligible Candidate to Undergo Lean IVF?

• Persons younger than 35 years old
• Couples undergoing the first IVF or second IVF treatment
• Couples with sufficient sperm quality

If you decide to start treatment quickly, you can receive a very affordable and comfortable treatment service. If you are eligible meeting the above conditions, visit our center as soon as possible without losing time due to financial concerns. Let us introduce you to our Lean IVF Treatment Program.

What Are the Features  of the Lean IVF Procedure?

• Treatment with the lowest doses of medications
• Shortest treatment length
• Fertilization under healthier natural conditions
• Shorter stay in the laboratory environment
• Minimal anesthesia

What are the Steps to Follow During a Lean IVF Treatment Procedure?

1. Stimulation of the Ovaries

On the 3rd day of the menstruation, injection of hormonal medications are started in order to stimulate the ovaries. The aim of using such medications is to increase the chance of becoming pregnant by inducing the growth of more than one egg cell. The process of ovarian stimulation takes approximately 12 - 14 days. However, the length of the process may vary from person to person because it will be determined by the response of the ovaries to the medications. During this process, the growth of eggs is monitored closely via ultrasonography, which will be performed every 2-3 days. In this treatment protocol, gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists are administered as a protective measure to avoid premature follicular rupture on the 6th day of medication use. This medication is injected into the umbilical area.

2. Egg Retrieval

When the eggs become mature enough and achieve a certain size, another medication is injected to induce follicular rupture so that eggs can be retrieved. Approximately 34-36 hours after this injection, the eggs are collected. Because this procedure requires meticulous care, the timing of the injection is critical.

The Egg Retrieval Procedure: The patient is admitted to the clinic after an overnight fasting. Then, the egg retrieval is performed; which will take approximately 15-20 minutes. The procedure is painless because the patient will be anesthetized. In the IVF procedure, the eggs are retrieved via the vaginal route. Under ultrasonography guidance; a catheter (needle) with a suction device on one end is used to remove eggs out of the ovary for the egg retrieval purpose. The number of mature eggs may be around 10-12 per patient but this number may vary ranging from 1 to 40. In some patients, no eggs are retrieved although such cases occur rarely. Because patients will not need to stay at the hospital after the procedure, they can return home a few hours later.

3. Fertilization of Eggs 

The retrieved egg cells are fertilized under laboratory conditions via the classical IVF method depending on the sperm cell quality. The fertilization results in the development of the embryo, which is the cornerstone of the growth of the baby in the uterus. Fertilization is confirmed via a microscopic examination. The fertilization process takes approximately 12 to 15 hours. The patient is informed about the results of the procedure and a day will be scheduled for embryo transfer.

4. Embryo Transfer 

The transfer is performed in the following 48-72 hours or even 120 hours depending on circumstances after the retrieval of fertilized embryos (called pre-embryos or zygotes). Because the timing of the transfer will be determined based on the quality of the embryo, timing of the embryo transfer may vary. Embryos are transferred into the uterus by gently passing them through the cervix by means of a catheter, which is a thin plastic tube. The number of embryos to be transferred is 1 for the first two treatment cycles in patients under the age of 35 years and at most 2 in all other patients. Because the procedure is simple and painless, the patient will be discharged from the clinic soon. A hormone that we call progesterone is administered vaginally or as an injection to the patient until the pregnancy test that will be performed approximately two weeks later. When the pregnancy test is positive, ultrasonography is performed to see the gestational sac 10 days after the pregnancy test.

5. Pregnancy Test

A pregnancy test is performed 12 days after the transfer procedure. Pregnancy test results inform about whether a pregnancy is established. The pregnancy test is the assessment of beta HCG test levels; which does not require overnight fasting.

An ultrasound examination is performed 10 days after the pregnancy test yields a positive result indicating the establishment of the pregnancy. Our patients coming out of town or abroad can undergo necessary examinations; where they reside, provided that they inform us.