Why is it important to know your likelihood of success with IVF?

A struggle with infertility can be a long and painful process which ultimately leads to in vitro fertilization. Although IVF is highly successful, you may have to go through some physical, emotional and financial strain before having a successful pregnancy. Knowing what your chances are in advance helps you have realistic expectations.

What is the main factor that influences your chances of success with IVF?

A woman’s age plays an important role when determining the chances of success with IVF. The effect of the ageing process on eggs is faster than on any other cells in the body. In addition, the number of eggs in the ovaries are limited and declines with every menstrual cycle. Egg quality also declines over time. These changes become increasingly significant after the age of 35. To put it in perspective, a single IVF cycle at the age of 30 has a 35% chance of resulting in a live birth after the first embryo transfer. By 40 this has halved.

How can one improve the chances of future pregnancies with IVF?

Because more eggs of higher quality are available in women in their early 30s, they can improve their chances of future pregnancies by freezing eggs or embryos at this stage.

What are the other factors that influence your chances of success with IVF?

Success with IVF can be affected by

• Body weight
• Cigarette smoking
• Medications
• Conditions such as endometriosis
• History of ovarian surgery

Why is it necessary to consult with a fertility specialist?

To get a realistic assessment of your likelihood of success with IVF, you cannot rely on the internet, your friends or your local GP. Instead you should seek a specialist in infertility who will provide a detailed and relevant consultation. At the top of the specialists able to provide this assessment are the CREI subspecialists.

How do you choose a good fertility clinic?

Since IVF requires multiple visits, you may want to consider a clinic in your locality. A good clinic may be recommended by your gynecologist, GP, friends or the internet. You can assess the quality of a clinic by looking at its success rates. This is usually determined by the number of live births per transferred embryos. The average age of the patients being treated at a clinic as well as the use of genetic testing methods to carefully choose embryo can influence these results. Choosing a subspecialist with CREI qualification is your best bet at ensuring expertise.