Understanding IVF Success Rates

For a detailed list of Boston IVF's success rates, please click here to view the Society for Reproductive Technology's (SART) clinic report. 

Note: A comparison of clinic success rates may not be meaningful because patient medical characteristics, treatment approaches, and entry criteria for ART may vary from clinic to clinic.

Within the Society for Reproductive Technology's (SART) clinic report, you will learn more about:

• CUMULATIVE IVF SUCCESS RATES PER EGG RETRIEVAL CYCLE
• PRIMARY IVF SUCCESS RATES OUTCOME PER EGG RETRIEVAL CYCLE
• SUBSEQUENT IVF SUCCESS RATES OUTCOME (FROZEN CYCLES)
• LIVE BIRTH RATES PER NEW PATIENT
• FRESH DONOR EGGS SUCCESS RATES
• FROZEN DONOR EGGS SUCCESS RATES
• THAWED EMBRYO SUCCESS RATES

When considering in vitro fertilization (IVF), one of the key questions patients have is, "What are my chances of success?" Dr. Denis Vaughan, a reproductive endocrinologist at Boston IVF, provides a comprehensive overview of the factors influencing IVF success rates and how these rates are measured.

Shifting Focus to Live Birth Rates
Success rates in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have evolved over time. Initially, clinics focused on implantation rates, which measured how many embryos successfully implanted. Later, the emphasis shifted to clinical pregnancy rates, tracking pregnancies confirmed by ultrasound. Today, most fertility centers, including Boston IVF, prioritize live birth rates per embryo transfer and cumulative live birth rates over a full IVF cycle. This reflects a more meaningful outcome: the goal of a healthy, full-term baby.

Dr. Vaughan highlights that the aim is not only to achieve a pregnancy but to ensure the health of both the individual carrying the pregnancy and baby throughout the pregnancy and beyond, focusing on neonatal and pediatric outcomes​.

Factors Influencing Success Rates
The success of IVF depends on several factors, but two stand out:

• Age: The younger the patient, the higher the likelihood of success. This is largely due to the quality and quantity of eggs. For patients under 35, success rates per IVF cycle can range from 40% to 60%, while for patients over 40, these rates decrease significantly, to around 20% or less​.
• Genetic Testing: Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) can help improve success rates by ensuring that only chromosomally normal embryos are transferred. This increases the likelihood of a live birth but isn’t suitable for all patients, as not all can produce viable embryos that reach the blastocyst stage or have a genetically normal embryo after testing.

Comparing IVF to Other Fertility Treatments
Compared to other fertility treatments like intrauterine insemination (IUI), IVF offers a significantly higher success rate. While IUI typically offers success rates of 10% to 15% per cycle, IVF can offer success rates between 25% and 60%, depending on patient factors such as age and embryo quality. This makes IVF a more effective option for many couples, especially those facing more complex fertility challenges​.

The Role of SART in Tracking Success
Boston IVF, like 85-90% of clinics in the United States, reports its success rates to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART). This national organization provides transparency in fertility outcomes, allowing patients to compare clinics. However, Dr. Vaughan notes that SART data has its limitations, as it may not reflect certain nuances like a clinic’s willingness to treat high-risk or low-prognosis patients. Some clinics may decline to treat these patients, artificially boosting their success rates. Boston IVF, in contrast, treats a wide range of patients, including second and third-opinion cases, which can impact overall success statistics.

Boston IVF's Unique Approach
Boston IVF is one of the largest IVF clinics in the U.S., with an academic affiliation with Harvard Medical School. This partnership allows Boston IVF to stay at the forefront of research and to continuously refine its protocols to optimize patient outcomes. Their involvement in groundbreaking studies, such as the FAST and FORD trials, has helped shape modern infertility treatments.

At Boston IVF, every patient's journey is personalized, with a team-based approach that includes ongoing quality control checks. This ensures that the latest, evidence-based treatments are applied to give patients the best chance of success​.

Choosing the Right Clinic
Dr. Vaughan emphasizes that selecting a fertility clinic involves more than just reviewing statistics. While SART data offers a useful snapshot, patients should also consider personal recommendations from their gynecologists and others who have experienced care at the clinic. The patient experience, treatment philosophy, and collaboration with a trusted healthcare team all play crucial roles in a successful fertility journey.

If you're considering IVF and want more personalized information about your chances of success, Boston IVF offers comprehensive consultations tailored to your unique situation