IVF - success rates and clinics

If you have gone through the first steps and have come to a point where you want to consider assisted conception, then you might be wondering what you should do next.

Although assisted conception can take many forms, in vitro fertilisation (IVF) is the most well-known course of action.

What is IVF?

This is when the eggs from the woman are removed from the ovary, and sperm is taken from the man, then the egg is fertilised in a laboratory and placed directly into the woman’s womb.

What is the success rate for IVF treatment?

When a woman is using her own eggs for IVF, the younger she is, the better chance she will have of successfully getting pregnant.
The most recent national figures were collected during 2006. The following success rates relate to women have IVF using fresh embryos created with their own eggs:

Women under 35: 28.6% success rate
Women 35 to 37 years old: 25.7%
Women 38 or 39 years old: 17.2%
Women aged 40 to 42: 10.6%
Women aged 43 or 44: 4.9%
Women aged over 44: 0.8%

(The figures do not include intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles.)

Getting treatment

Depending on your age, you may be able to get at last one cycle of treatment provided through the NHS. However, private clinics across the country offer many good options for couples seeking help.
For a full list of services and advice on what to consider before you find the right clinic for you, go to the website of the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA) who regulate all assisted conception treatment in this country. Their site is a really helpful and detailed starting point for any couple who feel assisted conception might be their next step.