What is IVM ( In Vitro Maturation )?

When the eggs are removed from the ovaries and then collected when they are still mature. They are further processed in the laboratory before fertilisation. Between In vitro maturation (IVM) and conventional In-vitro fertilization(IVF) the difference is that the eggs are matured when collected. It means that a women does not necessarily need to take drugs before the eggs can be collected as when she is using conventional IVF.

Is IVM for me?

You would need to analyse, if you are susceptible to developing (OHSS) which means (ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome-a potentially dangerous over-reaction to fertility drugs), where the cause of a couple’s infertility is determined as a problem with the male factor only.

How does IVM work?

Step 1.

With conventional IVF, the eggs are collected. But in an earlier stage, when the eggs are immature, which means that you do not need to take as many ovary-stimulating hormones before the eggs are collected.

Step 2.

The eggs are placed in a dish to mature and then placed in the laboratory for one or two days

Step 3.

After the eggs are matured, they are then fertilized with your partner’s or donor’s sperm. The embryos are then cultured and transferred into the womb, just as they would with the treatment of conventional IVF treatment.

With IVM what are my chances of having a baby?

Chances are very successful in getting pregnant with IVM and as similar with conventional IVF. But there are some additional risks that come with it. Which are

• As the eggs are immature when collected, it is likely that fewer eggs will be acquired than an conventional IVF cycle.
• All the eggs collected many not mature at the same time and sufficiently to be fertilised with your partners or donors sperm.

What are the risks of IVM?

There is no evidence to state that this new technique is absolutely safe and there are very few cases around the world which is only about 400 in all .

Some known risks of IVM are:

• Less eggs are collected than IVF
• General aesthetic carried out for this procedure

The clinic should warn the patient in advance of why this method is suitable for you and what do you benefit from it.

Where do I start?

If you are experiencing problems, conceiving, then you should first consider your family doctor and they would be able to advice you and check on your medical history and run a physical examination, tests or changes in lifestyle. Your GP can also recommend you to a fertility clinic.

What to expect at the fertility clinic?

An examination would be carried out and your fertility history will be checked. After the examination, the fertility specialist may recommend treatments which can be offered before you consider going for IVF or IVM.