INVOcell device

INVOcell

Are you struggling to start your family? Have you thought about trying fertility treatments but are unsure where to begin? INVOcell® is a safe, cost-effective, and holistic approach to infertility that many patients prefer over IVF.  Dr. Sonja Kristiansen and her team in Houston, TX, can provide INVOcell for parents who are struggling to build their families.

What Is INVOcell? A More Affordable Option Than IVF

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INVOcell is a form of fertility treatment that uses the woman's body for incubation rather than a lab, like in vitro fertilization (IVF). Because this process eliminates the fees associated with the lab, it is a more cost-effective option for future parents. We also include preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) as a standard part of every IVF and INVOcell cycle to ensure only the healthiest embryos are transferred to further increase your chances of pregnancy.

Affordable, Safe, Effective Fertility Treatment

A Holistic Approach

INVOcell is the first FDA-approved intravaginal culture (IVC) system that uses a woman’s body to support fertilization and early embryo development, rather than relying on a laboratory incubator.

Increased Affordability

Dr. Sonja Kristiansen is proud to lead the only facility in greater Houston certified to provide INVOcell. Using this method can help patients save about $4,000 compared to a round of in vitro fertilization.

Pregnancy Rates Similar to IVF

Clinical trials show that INVOcell pregnancy and live birth rates are comparable to IVF. In comparison to intrauterine inseminations (IUI), INVOcell has a pregnancy rate that is three to five times higher.

The Types of INVOcell Our Houston Clinic Offers

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Houston Fertility Center is the first clinic in Houston to offer INVOcell and now we are proud to offer three types; Natural Cycle INVOcell and Reciprocal INVOcell. PGT is performed as a part of every INVOcell cycle. Contact our Houston practice to learn more.

A Closer Look At the Patented INVOcell Device

INVOcell
INVOcell is a minimally invasive fertility treatment that allows for the natural pH and temperature of a woman's body to foster incubation. The device is made up of three parts; the inner chamber that holds the egg and sperm, the culture device that protects the inner chamber, and the retention device that secures the culture device into place. Through this device, patients can avoid the use of a lab thereby saving on cost and fostering a more natural way to incubate an embryo. 

Natural and Stable INVOcell provides a Holistic
Approach To Incubation

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Since the entire INVOcell incubation phase occurs within the woman’s body, the factors required to sustain incubation - such as temperature and physiological pH - remain more constant. In a laboratory, the incubation environment may be subjected to regular interference, such as when the incubator doors open or close, or when the thermostat cycles. The INVOcell approach reduces the potential for fluctuations in the incubation environment.

Tired of Struggling With Infertility? Contact Our Houston, TX, Practice Today

Dr. Kristiansen is a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist infertility specialist who has been in practice since 1995. In that time, she has helped hundreds of hopeful parents throughout Houston, TX, start and build their families. She has completed more than 1,000 IVF cycles with comparable pregnancy rates to the rest of the nation. Because of this, our Houston-based clinic is used by other reproductive endocrinologists in Texas.

Having struggled with infertility herself, Dr. Kristiansen understands the emotional toll it can take on you and your partner. She is able to provide each of her patients with compassionate care because she truly understands the struggle. When you choose Houston Fertility Center for your infertility treatment, you will receive top-quality care, in a warm and inviting environment, from a friendly, compassionate team. 

Office

Contact our Houston, TX, practice today to take the first step in starting your family.

(713) 225-5375

Hopeful Parents, Achieve Their Dreams "Words cannot express our happiness
and the joy you have brought to our lives!"

1

angy quezada

2022

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Dear Dr. Sonja Kristiansen and staff, words cannot express our happiness and the joy you have brought to our lives! thank you for all your kindness and caring during our invocell procedure, You helped us make our dream come true. We have the sweetest little boy now and are truly blessed each day. The entire experience was so very amazing, you are a great doctor with awesome staff that makes each person feel like an individual. You found a way to make a stressful situation a personal, rewarding...

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1

Kristina Lesniak

2022

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Going through infertility is one of the most difficult things a family could go through. Dr. Kristiansen and her staff, Melissa, Mayra, Blanca and Lana helped to ensure the most positive experience. They were always professional and friendly and I always felt like I could call them anytime with all my questions (which I did). They never made me feel like I was just a patient or a number they always made me feel special...

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Am I a Good Candidate For INVOcell?

Although the success rates and potential savings INVOcell offers are attractive to many hopeful parents, it is important to understand this option may not be right for every patient. You will first have a consultation with Dr. Kristiansen in our Houston-area practice where a hormonal evaluation, a saline sonohysterogram, and a semen analysis will be performed to determine if you are a good candidate.

An ideal INVOcell candidate may:

Have blocked fallopian tubes or previous tubal ligation

Have ovulatory dysfunction

Have unexplained infertility

Have mild-moderate sperm abnormalities

Have normal levels of anti-müllerian hormone (AMH)

Have a normal antral follicle count

Be free of male-factor infertility

The Cost Of INVOcell

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INVOcell is popular among hopeful parents because of the lower cost when compared to other fertility treatments like IVF. INVOcell cycles at our Houston, TX, practice start at $9,400 with PGT per cycle. Call our office to get further details about pricing and to see if you are eligible for this form of fertility treatment.

The INVOcell Procedure What To Expect

The first step is to contact our Houston, TX, office to schedule your consultation. There, we will do a thorough screening of you and your partner to determine which fertility treatment is most likely to help grow your family. 

"INVOcell is a less-invasive and more holistic approach to infertility"
"INVOcell is a less-invasive and more holistic approach to infertility"

Ovarian Stimulation

The patient will start by undergoing an ovarian stimulation cycle that is milder than the protocols associated with IVF. This allows for improved comfort and reduces the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation (OHSS). 

Device Placement

Mature eggs are collected and placed into the patented INVOcell device, along with a sperm specimen. The device is then positioned in the vaginal canal to foster the initial phases of embryonic growth. 

Embryo Inspection

Once incubation is complete, around 3-5 days, the device is removed, and the embryos are inspected by our embryologist. PGT is performed, which requires that the embryos be cryopreserved while the genetic results are pending. Once the PGT results are ready, one to two of the healthiest embryos will be chosen. Any remaining healthy embryos can remain frozen and stored for future use.

Frozen Embryo Transfer

Frozen embryo transfer (FET) is performed with every INVOcell cycle, as we perform PGT with every cycle. Using the results of the PGT, the embryologist is able to choose only chromosomally normal embryos for FET. The FET process entails preparing the uterus for transfer using estrogen and progesterone hormone supplementation, which is usually performed while awaiting PGT results. After approximately two weeks of hormonal supplementation, the selected embryo is thawed and transferred into the uterus. A pregnancy test is scheduled for 12-14 days later.

Are There Any Side Effects To INVOcell Treatment?

Fertility drugs are used to help regulate a woman's cycle and stimulate egg production for INVOcell treatment. Mild side effects from this medication can develop but vary from patient to patient. During your consultation, Dr. Kristiansen will review with you any potential side effects, including: 

Hot flashes

Bloating and weight gain

Fatigue and headaches

Abdominal discomfort

Mood swings

Nausea

Spotting

Tender or sore breasts

Dizziness

"We had our invocell baby in June , and we always recommend Dr.K!!"

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Candice Loerch

2021

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The Dr. is great, compassionate and personable. The staff has been on point and always answers questions in a timely and professional manor. We had our invocell baby in June , and we always recommend Dr.K!!

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Andreana

2021

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...( I am doing Invocell , 28 w/ only tubular issues)

1) Dr. K is amazing - Right away in the consultation I noticed she is very straightforward she isn't going to sugar coat anything. Which I HIGHLY respect.  So many people come into this wanting to hear yes it will work  - There is always a chance that it wont work & you as a person need to come to terms with that before proceeding with any type of infertility treatments...

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Dr. Sonja Kristiansen

Houston Fertility Center

Dr. Sonja Kristiansen is the founder and Medical Director of Houston Fertility Center. She is a board-certified Reproductive Endocrinologist Infertility (REI) specialist who is proud to help hopeful parents fulfill their dreams of having children. Our center is affiliated with the:

  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
  • American Society for Reproductive Medicine
  • Texas Medical Association

We provide convenient care for patients from greater Houston and visitors from out of town. For more information about our services, contact our office online or call (713) 225-5375 today.

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