Understanding IVF Statistics

The chance for success with IVF depends on several variables including: a woman's age, her FSH level, the individual's history of prior treatment, and the reason for infertility.

A program can influence its success rates by controlling which patients that it decides to treat. Programs which treat patients over the age of 42 years and patients with history of IVF failures will have lower pregnancy rates.

The pregnancy rates can also vary according to how the statistics are reported. Pregnancy rates per cycle initiated will be less than rates per egg retrieval because some of the cycles will get cancelled prior to retrieval, usually due to poor ovarian response. The difference between clinical pregnancy rates and live birth rates reflect the miscarriage rates.

As you review the above IVF statistics, consider the above variables and ask your physician how well the numbers reflect your personal history and pregnancy prognosis.