Care Fertility Blog

Success rates and what they mean for you

Written by Care Fertility Team | Sep 24

Success rates and what they mean for you

When it comes to IVF, understanding success rates can help you to plan your fertility journey with confidence, and ensure that you are prepared for the road ahead. At Care Fertility, we believe in being upfront and supportive, so let's break down what you need to know about IVF success rates and what they mean for your path to parenthood.

What are IVF success rates? 
IVF success rates indicate the percentage of IVF cycles that result in a live birth or clinical pregnancy. These rates can vary based on several factors, but with the right support and expertise, your chances are promising: 

  • Age: Younger women generally have higher success rates. 

  • Cause of Infertility: The underlying cause can impact the likelihood of success. 

  • Embryo Quality: Higher quality embryos increase the chances of implantation. 

  • Clinic Experience: Success rates can vary between clinics based on expertise and technology. 

Factors influencing IVF success rates 
Age and success rates 
Age is a significant factor in IVF success rates. As women age, the quantity and quality of their eggs decline, but don't let this discourage you. With advanced techniques and personalised care, we can optimise your chances: 

  • Under 35: Approximately 40% success rate. 

  • 35-37: Around 30%. 

  • 38-40: About 20%. 

  • 41 and older: Roughly 10%.

You can view Care Fertility's success rates by clicking here.

Cause of infertility 
The specific cause of infertility also plays a role in determining IVF success rates, and your personalised treatment plan will take this into consideration:  

Tubal Factor: Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes. 

Male Factor: Low sperm count or motility. 

Female Factor: Egg reserve and quality and health of the womb 

Unexplained Infertility: No identifiable cause. 

Endometriosis: A condition where tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus grows outside it. 

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): A hormonal disorder causing enlarged ovaries with small cysts. 

Embryo quality 
High-quality embryos have a better chance of implantation and developing into a healthy pregnancy. At Care Fertility, we use advanced lab techniques to ensure that we select the best embryos for you and give you the very best chance at success.  

Clinic experience 
Our experienced team of doctors and fertility specialists are committed to your journey. We use only the latest and best cutting-edge technology and proven fertility treatments to significantly enhance your chances of success.  

Interpreting success rates 
Understanding IVF success rates can help you to set realistic expectations and make informed decisions. Here’s how to interpret these rates: 

Live births per cycle 
This is the most commonly used measure of success and is the percentage of IVF cycles that result in a live birth. This rate provides a snapshot of the likelihood of success in a single cycle – however, it is important to look at the different success rates between using own eggs and donor eggs.  
Clinical Pregnancy Rate (CPR) 
The clinical pregnancy rate represents the percentage of IVF cycles that result in a clinical pregnancy, which is confirmed by the presence of a fetal heartbeat on an ultrasound. This rate is a crucial indicator as it reflects the ability to achieve a pregnancy, although not all clinical pregnancies will necessarily result in a live birth. 

Cumulative success rates: 
Cumulative success rates consider the likelihood of achieving a live birth over multiple cycles. This approach provides a more comprehensive view of your chances over time. 

Personal factors affecting success 

Previous pregnancies 
A history of previous pregnancies, whether through IVF or naturally, can positively impact your success rates - this is because it indicates that implantation is possible. 

Lifestyle and health 
Your overall health and lifestyle choices, such as maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, and avoiding smoking, can have a positive impact on your IVF success rates. By taking proactive steps towards a healthy lifestyle, you can significantly improve your chances. 

What success rates mean for you 
When considering IVF, success rates can help to guide your decisions and manage your expectations. It’s important to compare different clinics success rates, and find who has the best outcome for your age group. 

Personalised assessment 
At Care Fertility, your specialist will provide a tailored assessment based on your individual circumstances – this includes everything from age, to weight, and any fertility issues. This personalised approach ensures that you receive information that is relevant to you. 

Realistic expectations 
Taking the time to understand the numbers can help you to set realistic goals and timelines. Knowing the typical success rates for your age and healthy can help to prevent disappointment and help you to prepare for your IVF journey. 

Strategies to improve success rates 

Consider advanced treatments 
There are a wide range of advanced treatment options that can add to your success, you can discuss these with your specialist, these include: 

Caremaps-AI: Developed by our Care Fertility’s very own experts, our time-lapse imaging technique, Caremaps-AI is powered by artificial intelligence and has been designed to help us choose the embryo with the most potential without genetic testing. 

Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT): This allows us to identify the healthiest embryos. 

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): ICSI is where a single sperm is injected into an egg and is often used for cases of male infertility. 

Optimise your health 
When starting your IVF journey, it’s important to take care of your physical health not only to prepare for the treatment but also because there's a positive connection between physical health and mental wellbeing. You can prioritise a healthy lifestyle by: 

Eating a balanced diet: It’s important to maintain a healthy diet, so making sure you’re eating a diverse range of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and healthy fats, such as oily fish and olive oil.  Not only will it help your chances of success, but it’ll also make you feel better and give you more energy to deal with the IVF process.  

Exercising regularly: Moving your body whether that’s going for a run, yoga, pilates, hitting the gym or taking a walk, will help to balance your hormones, improve insulin and reduce stress. But it’s not only good for you physically, but it’s great for your mental health too. Staying active is a great way to support you on your fertility journey. 

Kick bad habits: Quitting smoking and reducing alcoholintake to one or less drinks a day can improve fertility and the chances of conception – even if you have been smoking for years, the negative effects are reversible.  

Get a good night's sleep: Sleep is not only important physically, but also incredibly important for mental wellbeing. Going to bed at a good time, sleeping at least 7-8 hours, and keeping a regular sleeping pattern is just one simple thing you can do to support yourself.   

Emotional support 

Seek counselling 
We know that undergoing IVF can be emotionally taxing, that’s why we provide counselling to help you manage your stress and anxiety – and to talk to someone, because getting it off your chest can make a big difference.  

Join a support groups 
Sometimes a loved one might not be the best person, and we might need to speak with people who really gets what we are going through. Connecting with others going through similar experiences can provide comfort and understanding. Support groups can offer a sense of community and shared knowledge. 

Stay connected with your partner 
It’s easy to forget that there are two of you on this journey, make sure you both take time to chat with one another about how you’re feeling - it's probably more similar than you think! Spending time together is often neglected during treatment, it's important to make time for one another, whether it’s a date night or a just a hug – it can make the world of difference. 
Remember, these rates provide valuable insights, but each journey is unique. At Care Fertility, we are here to support you with personalised care and expert guidance, giving you the best possible chance of achieving your dream of starting or growing your family. 

If you have any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to contact us. We are committed to helping you achieve your dream of starting or growing your family.