How Effective is IVF and How Long Does it Take?

Two of the most common questions among individuals and couples interested in in vitro fertilization is how likely will IVF be effective and how many times will it take? These questions have no single answer, as they completely depend on many individual factors of the parents, such as embryo quality and sperm quality, as well as technical factors such as lab expertise, and techniques used.

Age plays a very important role in the embryo quality. By the age 30-35, about 60% of human eggs are no longer able to propagate viable pregnancies, and by early to mid 40s that number goes up to about 90%. For women who are not able to use their own eggs for pregnancy, donor options are available at many fertility clinics. You can read more about egg donation here (add link). The following chart was created by the CDC in regards to successful IVF and age.

Sperm quality is also extremely important, but generally has little to do with age. However, with the advent of ICSI, forced insemination has been highly successful, even for male patients with moderate to severe infertility issues. Avoiding cigarettes, alcohol, and recreational drugs, as well as gym supplements can make a big difference in quality of sperm. It is also advised that males refrain from using jacuzzis or saunas 3 months before starting a cycle, and also to ensure they do not maintain a fever over 101 degrees. Embryo and sperm quality will be analyzed by your fertility clinic, and your doctor will work with you to create a custom plan to increase your odds of a successful pregnancy.

Once the embryo and the sperm have been collected, having an extremely proficient team to put them together is key to successful IVF. Searching for a lab that is highly experienced in chromosomal testing, ICSI, assisted hatching, and any other procedure your doctor thinks will be important for a successful pregnancy is crucial. You can call fertility clinics directly to find out which lab they use, the procedures they have experience with, and their success rates. Researching client experiences online is also a great way to find out which fertility clinic is right for you.

One cycle of IVF generally takes 4-6 weeks to complete. For some people, IVF works on the first try, and for others, it takes several tries. Some clinics offer package plans for couples who need multiple cycles to have a successful pregnancy, and these plans are often discussed when meeting with your clinic’s financial counselor.