At Surrogacy 4 All, we often receive questions about IVF success rates, particularly about how these rates change with each attempt. Some of the most common questions include:
- “I’ve heard that people never get pregnant on the first try. Is that true?”
- “Is the success rate for IVF higher on the second try?”
- “Does the uterus need a few ‘practice runs’ before a pregnancy can happen?”
Let’s dive into the science behind these questions to provide clarity and reassurance.
Understanding Pregnancy Rates: Per Transfer vs. Cumulative
When discussing IVF pregnancy rates, it’s important to distinguish between pregnancy rates per transfer and cumulative pregnancy rates.
Here’s an example:
- Imagine 100 couples undergo egg retrieval, each freezing three embryos.
- These couples proceed with one embryo transfer. Let’s assume 100% of the embryos survive the thawing process.
First Attempt:
- Out of 100 couples, 60 become pregnant.
- Pregnancy rate: 60%.
Second Attempt:
- The remaining 40 couples transfer another embryo. Out of these, 24 become pregnant.
- Pregnancy rate: 60%.
The pregnancy rate per transfer remains constant at 60%, but the cumulative pregnancy rate over two attempts rises to 84% (60 + 24 couples).
This distinction is key. Some mistakenly believe that the pregnancy rate for the second attempt alone is 84%, which is incorrect. The 84% represents the combined success rate of both attempts.
Success Rates at Top Fertility Centers
To better understand these rates, let’s look at data from leading fertility centers. This year, they performed 310 frozen embryo transfers, with 219 transfers being part of the first, second, or third attempt.
Testing for Pregnancy:
- Pregnancy was confirmed if hCG levels were above 5 and increased over 2–3 days.
Dividing Patients into Groups:
- PGT-Tested Embryos: Embryos tested for chromosomal abnormalities. Success rates are consistent across all ages when using normal embryos.
- Untested Embryos – Younger Patients: Pregnancy rates were consistent through three attempts.
- Untested Embryos – Older Patients: Pregnancy rates remained consistent for two attempts but declined slightly on the third attempt.
Answering Your FAQs
- “Do people never get pregnant on the first try?”
This is a myth. The pregnancy rate for the first attempt is comparable to subsequent attempts. - “Is the success rate for IVF higher on the second try?”
No, the success rate per transfer remains consistent across attempts, barring age-related factors. - “Does the uterus need practice runs before pregnancy can happen?”
Science does not support this idea. Your chances for pregnancy are similar on your first attempt as they are on subsequent tries. - “Does a successful first attempt improve chances for a second child?”
While it might seem logical, data does not indicate a higher success rate for couples who conceived on their first attempt.
The Bottom Line
On average, IVF success rates remain steady over three attempts. Your chances for pregnancy are similar on the first, second, and third tries.
If you’re considering IVF or have questions about your journey, we’re here to help. At Surrogacy 4 All, we connect you with resources and professionals to help you achieve your dream of parenthood.
Start Your Journey Today
- Call us at (212) 661-7673
- Email us at info@surrogacy4all.com
We’re here to support you every step of the way.