IVF Success Rates
Before embarking on an IVF journey, many intended parents want to know, what are my chances of IVF success? Will IVF work on the first try?
While there is no guarantee IVF (in-vitro fertilization) will work the first time, or even the second or third time, it has helped many intended parents bring children into the world. We’ll go over some general success rates of IVF and the factors that influence them. Please note that you should always consult with your doctor to find recommendations that may be specific for you!
How Successful Is IVF?
IVF success rates have improved over time, thanks to advancements in the genetic testing of embryos. Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) helps doctors weed out embryos that have chromosomal abnormalities and choose only the healthiest embryos to implant into the intended mother or surrogate.
Chromosomal abnormalities (aneuploidy) are linked to lower rates of pregnancy and higher rates of miscarriage. One Texas-based fertility doctor and clinic owner told the Today Show that with the ability to elect only chromosomally normal embryos, the chances of having a live birth through IVF average around 60%.
However, not everyone chooses to undergo PGT-A testing, and there are other factors that impact the success of IVF.
Factors that Impact IVF Success
How successful IVF will be will depend heavily on the maternal age of the patient, if she is using her own eggs. Women over 35 tend to have lower chances of getting pregnant and higher risk of miscarriage.
Use of donor eggs will help women over 35 increase their chances of pregnancy and birth.
Maternal Age & IVF Success Rates
According to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART), if you’re using your own eggs, your age matters.
Live birth rates among patients using their own eggs drop from about 51% to about 38% once they’ve reached age 35. By age 41, the rate drops again, this time more significantly, down to 13%. By 42, the success rate is just under 4%.
Another influencing factor is a patient’s ovarian reserve (the amount of eggs left in the ovaries). The more eggs that are available for a single cycle of IVF, the higher the likelihood of success. Advancing age is one of the biggest reasons behind diminishing ovarian reserves.
IVF Success with Donor Eggs
When you’re using eggs from a donor, your age may not factor into the equation nearly as much.
According to data from SART, the average success rate among those who utilize donor eggs is 38% – 40% for patients of all ages.
You can use a fertility clinic or agency for help finding donor eggs. Ideally, donor eggs will be from donors under 35 years old with no history of fertility struggles. This increases the likelihood of a viable pregnancy and live birth.
What are the Chances of Success with IVF on the First Try?
Considering the cost of IVF—financial and emotional—many intended parents worry about having to do IVF multiple times to have a child.
There’s no specific guarantee that you’ll get pregnant or have a child on your first round of IVF; however, you can take steps to ensure you have the best chances of success with IVF, such as exercising, keeping your stress levels at bay, and avoiding drugs or alcohol.
To get a sense of how likely you are to have a successful experience with IVF the first time, it is important to contact your doctor, as they can give you a better sense of your chances of success based on your body and medical history.
Begin your IVF Journey
With continuing evolution in assisted reproductive technology, IVF is increasingly effective for would-be parents.
If you share the dream of parenthood but don’t know where to start, let us help guide you. Our mission is to make parenthood possible for everyone, not just those with many financial resources. One of our financial advocates can set up time to speak with you about your options for paying for IVF and finding the resources you need to get you started.