NCIVF - Is it just a marketing tactic?

[Anonymous]

My doctor is encouraging donor egg IVF for us at this point. He does not do NCIVF - feels it is a marketing tactic by other clinics and that it's too risky with only a 15% chance of success (yet, would support a NCIUI cycle for us, even though it's only a 10% chance for success - he considers it lower risk).

Any thoughts on NCIVF vs DE? Is NCIF really just a marketing tactic?

[Anonymous]

No, it is done a lot in Europe and done at several clinics locally. Get a second opinion. Is this the same doctor that will only retrieve if there are more than 3 eggs?

[Anonymous]

Yes, same doc. Really conflicted here - he isvery sure of himself, the statistics, the risks/benefits, etc. I'm wondering if it's about HIS statistics.

[Anonymous]

LOL...my guess is that this is Shady Grove...heard both 'issues' coming out of that clinic. Also personally know someone whose sole embryo was in the deep freeze, and they wouldn't transfer the embryo, because they wouldn't do a single embryo transfer, either. Seems kind of wrong in an ethical kind of way, to me.

And, I guess I would ask the families who have been built by NCIVF, if it is just a marketing tactic...I believe there is a 47 year old lady on this board that is pretty sure that it was worth her while...

[Anonymous]

Get a second opinion. Why are you giving the dr so much credit when you are clearly bothered by what he has offered and is telling you. I am still hung up on fact that you did 3 ivfs and he didn't even try to retrieve any eggs. Good luck whatever you decide but there is no way I would continue with that dr. You are takijng meds, wasting time and money each time you go in knowing that even if you have one or two beautiful eggs, that he would just let them go without even trying!

[Anonymous]

I was 38 with an FSH of 18 and I got pregnant my first NCIVF cycle, haven't been as lucky with ttc #2 but I'm a firm believer in DF.

[Anonymous]

I think NCIVF has its place. I'm considering for my own scenario (I had severe OHSS with a past cycle and full stim is too risky). It's not a good option for everyone but it can work for some. Another option is low stimulation IVF and some smaller clinics (Muasher) do that.

[Anonymous]

I'm 37, with an FSH 18.9, amh >0.16, and I got pregnant on my very first cycle of NCIVF. I now have beautiful 3 month old identical TWINS from our lone cycle. My story/history is featured on Dr. G's blog and on DF's website. Prior to NCIVF, I refused to try any more rounds of stiumlated IVF. It was just too much to handle physically and emotionally. I would do NCIVF again in a heartbeat, and I can't understand why it isn't offered in clinics as a first line option for women, before moving on to IVF.

[Anonymous]

Thanks PP. Your story is really inspiring! I am about to start my first stimulated IVF cycle with age and numbers similar to yours, but if it doesn't work, I may insist on the natural cycle route that worked so well for you!

[Anonymous]

GW also does natural cycle and quite successful!

[Anonymous]

PP I couldn't find any info on NC on GW's website, do you have a link?

[Anonymous]

Natural cycle is a good option for a woman who doesn't respond well to the stims... if she is making only 1 or 2 eggs with drugs, why not try without the drugs? A doctor who won't consider it, and especially a doctor who won't retrieve less than three eggs, and won't transfer only one embryo, sounds like a doctor who is watching their success stats. These clinics are BUSINESSES and their statistics are their bottom line. Go to Sacks at CFA, to GW, or to Davis at Cornell in NYC. Although there is an element of realism in your doctor's approach-- i.e., fewer eggs and fewer embryos lessen the chance of success, duh!-- if you are still willing to take your changes and try IVF, then your doctor should support that and take you to transfer, no matter how many eggs or embryos.

[Anonymous]

Not the PP, but GW doesn't really advertise their NCIVF. They don't think it's the best option for most patients (or at least my RE there doesn't) but they'll do it if you want.

That's GW's approach in general, in my experience. They tell you what they advise based on evidence and research, including when they just don't know the answers (because there is still a lot that isn't known in this field), and then they do what you ask.

[Anonymous]

For what it's worth, I have a friend (I mean, someone I know- not a friend of a friend) who unfroze one embyro & is preg. with one now from Shady Grove. I'd be surprised if they would only unfreeze if there's more than one embryo, tehy are very gung-ho on elective single transfers at SG (more than I think I agree with, but that's another story)

[Anonymous]

I agree with PP. I was surprised to read that earlier comment about SG, since they promote SET. I am very intrigued about this NCIVF idea too. I just did my first IVF and got only three mature eggs (out of 8). Two fertilized, one didn't, and we transferred two but only one was a top-grade embryo. It made me wonder whether it was worth it to try to get all those other eggs since we had only one star anyway, but I guess there's no guarantee with NCIVF that "the one" they would get would be even viable. So I can see the argument on the other side about paying $4500 for nothing...