IVM Treatment in India

IVM is not suitable for every fertility patient. It is usually recommended after a thorough fertility assessment.

You may be considered a candidate for IVM if you:

• Potential suitability for women with PCOS (PMOS)
• Prefer a treatment cycle with fewer fertility medications.
• Are at risk of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)
• Need urgent fertility preservation before certain medical treatments
• Have a good ovarian reserve and are considered suitable by your fertility specialist

• Fertility Assessment: The treatment begins with blood tests, ultrasound scans, and a review of medical history to determine whether IVM is an appropriate option.
• Ovarian Monitoring: The ovaries are monitored using ultrasound scans. Since extensive stimulation is not required, medication use is usually lower than in conventional IVF.
• Egg Retrieval: Immature eggs are collected from the ovaries through a minor procedure performed under sedation.
• In-Vitro Maturation: The retrieved eggs are placed in a specialised culture medium where they continue developing and mature in the laboratory over the next 24 to 48 hours.
• Fertilisation: Once mature, the eggs are fertilised using IVF or ICSI techniques.
• Embryo Development: The fertilised eggs are monitored as they develop into embryos over the following few days.
• Embryo Transfer: A healthy embryo is transferred into the uterus. Additional good-quality embryos may be frozen for future use.

In vitro maturation offers the following benefits for couples looking for a suitable fertility treatment option: 

• Reduced Risk of OHSS: One of the most significant advantages of IVM is the lower risk of OHSS (Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome). This is because IVM does not require intensive stimulation like conventional IVF. This makes the ovaries less prone to becoming excessively enlarged or painful, making treatment safer for women who are at risk of this complication.
  
  
• Fewer Hormonal Medications: Unlike conventional IVF, IVM normally has minimal use of fertility drugs. This means patients may need fewer injections, which can make the treatment process less physically demanding and more comfortable.
  
  
• Useful for PMOS patients: Women with Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) usually produce a lot of immature small follicles. During IVF, this may pose a risk of OHSS (Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome). IVM is a good option for certain PMOS patients because the immature eggs will be matured in a lab setup, reducing the risk of overstimulation.
  
  
• Shorter Treatment Preparation: As extensive stimulation of the ovaries is not needed, the preparation of cycles will be shorter in IVM than in conventional IVF. This is specifically helpful for women who want a quick start to their fertility treatment.
  
  
• Potential Cost Savings on Medication: The reduced need for fertility drugs may lower medication expenses. While overall treatment costs vary between clinics, patients often spend less on stimulation medications compared to a traditional IVF cycle.
  
  
• Fertility Preservation in Certain Situations: In some women who want to preserve fertility before undergoing any treatments such as cancer therapies, which are known to impact reproductive capabilities, IVM may be considered. Due to a less extensive stimulation protocol, egg retrieval may be possible in a relatively shorter time frame.
  
  
• Less Intensive Treatment Experience: This benefit is preferred by a number of women due to the lower amount of medications required. The procedure follows a simplified protocol that involves fewer injections being administered. This could benefit those women who are emotionally or physically anxious about having fertility treatments.

Women with PCOS have a large number of immature follicles in the ovary. This means they have a plentiful supply of eggs, but the downside is that conventional IVF has a high risk of causing OHSS (Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome).

With IVM, it is possible to collect the immature eggs and have them grow into mature eggs in the laboratory, which means there is no need for intensive stimulation. This is why an IVM approach can sometimes be offered to a woman with PCOS. However, the outcomes of IVM depend on individual factors and it may not be equally beneficial for every woman.

IVM has made significant improvements in recent years and success rates are also improving with new lab technologies. However, the success rates are not as high as for standard IVF. The success rates of fertilisation are influenced by multiple factors like age of the patient, quality of the eggs, quality of the sperm, quality of the embryo and the expertise of the fertility clinic. In case of carefully selected patients, especially younger women and some women with PMOS, IVM can be a useful fertility treatment option.

IVM generally involves fewer fertility medicines than conventional IVF, but the exact treatment protocol can vary. In a strict IVM cycle, no medication may be used to stimulate additional eggs. Some modified IVM protocols may use low-dose injectable medicines to support follicle development and improve the number of eggs available for retrieval.

Your fertility specialist will decide which approach is appropriate based on your ovarian response and overall treatment plan.

The overall IVM treatment timeline can vary from person to person depending on the fertility assessment, ovarian monitoring, egg retrieval, embryo development and transfer plan.

The eggs generally take around 24 to 48 hours to mature in the laboratory. After maturation, the eggs are fertilised and the resulting embryos are monitored for the following few days before an embryo is selected for transfer.

Because IVM requires less ovarian stimulation than conventional IVF, the overall treatment cycle may be shorter.

After the mature eggs are fertilised, the resulting embryos are monitored in the laboratory. When an embryo reaches the appropriate stage, it may be transferred into the uterus.

If additional good-quality embryos are available, they may be frozen for future use. After embryo transfer, your fertility specialist will advise you about medications, follow-up and the timing of your pregnancy test.

If pregnancy is achieved, further appointments and ultrasound scans may be planned to monitor the pregnancy.

Choosing the right fertility centre is an important step when considering IVM treatment. At Birla Fertility & IVF, our fertility specialists assess each patient's individual needs and create a personalised treatment plan based on their fertility health. Our advanced embryology laboratories and experienced fertility team support patients throughout the treatment journey.

• Experienced Fertility Specialists: Our fertility specialists evaluate your individual fertility needs and guide you towards the treatment approach that is most appropriate for you.
• Advanced Embryology Laboratories: IVM requires specialised laboratory techniques for egg maturation and embryo development. Our state-of-the-art embryology laboratories support these processes under controlled conditions.
• Personalised Treatment Plans: Every fertility journey is different. Your treatment plan is prepared after considering your age, ovarian reserve, fertility history and other relevant factors.
• Comprehensive Fertility Care: From fertility assessment and egg retrieval to fertilisation, embryo development and transfer, our team supports you through each stage of treatment.
• Compassionate Patient Support: Fertility treatment can be an emotional experience. Our doctors, counselors and care teams provide guidance and support throughout your fertility journey.
• Transparent Pricing: We provide clear information about the treatment plan and associated costs so that you can make informed decisions about your fertility care.