A stage IIIA borderline serous ovarian tumour was treated conservatively by laparoscopy to preserve the fertility of a 21 year old nulligravid woman. Six months later, recurrent lesions were resected. An 'urgent' IVF was performed to obtain frozen embryos. Oncological treatment was then completed by radical surgery with uterine conservation. Fifteen months later, two thawed embryos were successfully transferred and the patient delivered one baby. From this observation, the authors discuss an alternative to oocyte donation in cases of bilateral ovariectomy for stage IIIA borderline serous ovarian tumour.