INVOcell®: Why It's Your Best and Cheapest Option for Successful IVF

Fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF) are more successful than ever at helping you realize your dream of becoming a parent. Unfortunately, these therapies are also very expensive and often cost-prohibitive for many would-be moms and dads.

Reproductive Endocrinologist Dr. Deborah Smith and our team at Rocky Mountain Fertility Center have received national recognition for high success rates and our patient-focused approach to fertility evaluations and treatment.

We’re happy to explain how INVOcell® works, what makes it less expensive than traditional IVF, and why it meets Dr. Smith’s rigorous standards for effectiveness and patient comfort.

How is INVOcell different from traditional IVF?

During traditional IVF, the earliest stages of conception and embryonic development occur in the lab at Rocky Mountain Fertility Center. With INVOcell, fertilization, incubation, and early development occurs in vivo (within the body).

Cleared by the Food and Drug Administration as an effective and safe fertility treatment, INVOcell is sometimes described as a mini-IVF.

How does INVOcell work?

During the INVOcell process, Dr. Smith harvests mature eggs from your ovaries and transfers them together with sperm into a small device that she places in your upper vaginal canal.

The INVOcell device is specifically designed for comfort. It’s about an inch wide and one and a half inches tall and acts as a highly effective and protective incubator during conception and early development of the resulting embryo.

We typically leave the device in place for five days and then remove it with a simple in-office procedure. Dr. Smith carefully examines and selects a healthy embryo, which she then transfers to your uterus, where normal implantation and pregnancy can proceed.

You may notice some mild cramping during the procedure. Otherwise, INVOcell is relatively painless, and despite its cost-saving features, offers success rates comparable to traditional IVF.

Why is INVOcell less expensive than traditional IVF?

Because fertilization, incubation, and early embryonic development take place in vivo rather than in the lab, the cost savings of INVOcell compared to traditional IVF are significant.

Traditional IVF requires sophisticated monitoring equipment to maintain the health and viability of mature eggs and donor sperm. Ongoing care to successfully incubate embryos following manual fertilization of viable eggs by a specialist is also necessary.

This specialty care and use of lab facilities and equipment significantly increases the cost of traditional IVF. INVOcell offers a more natural alternative that saves you money by eliminating the need for manual fertilization or incubation in the lab.   

Am I a good candidate for INVOcell?

Dr. Smith bases her recommendations for treatment on the results of your infertility evaluation. Generally, though, INVOcell may be a good choice if you have:

• Healthy eggs but problems with ovulation
• Unexplained infertility
• History of tubal ligation
• Damage or blockage in the fallopian tubes
• Same sex couples wanting reciprocal IVF

Women involved in a same-sex relationship may also benefit from INVOcell because it provides an opportunity for both partners to participate in the pregnancy.

Many couples also choose INVOcell for its more natural approach to fertilization and early embryo development.

For more information about INVOcell or any of the services we offer, schedule a visit at Rocky Mountain Fertility Center today. We’re located in Parker, Colorado, and Rapid City, South Dakota.