IVF treatment is a boon for a childless couple. However, its success depends upon various factors which include the age of the women, quality of gametes & endometrial receptivity and treatment from the best IVF doctor.
We all know that IVF is the most effective assisted reproductive technologies (ART) we have today, but whether it will be effective for you, it depends on various circumstances which include:
- Age – Younger women in comparison to older women have higher chances of IVF success. In fact, the success rate for women under 35 is about 40%. While age has been linked with the success rates for IVF, your medical history and your body is unique, the results of ultrasound screening, tube test helps to know your chances better than age alone.
- Previous pregnancy – You may have better chances of pregnancy, if you have carried a baby to a term earlier, either with or without ART.
Recurrent miscarriages can point out low success rate, because it may indicate that the specific infertility challenge you are facing is not one that responds well to IVF. You should not rule out chances of getting pregnant with IVF after miscarriages because your IVF specialist will be able to help you narrow down the possible causes of pregnancy loss and can guide you on your better course of action.
- Type of fertility problem – IVF is an ideal option for couples with problems like endometriosis, blockage in fallopian tubes, ovulation issues etc. ICSI is available for severe male factor infertility. Unfortunately, there few other fertility problems which are related to less IVF success, such as uterine abnormalities, genetic disorders, fibroid tumours, ovarian dysfunction etc. Detailed testing and in-depth consultation with your expert will be able to give you a better idea of your individual situation.
- Using donor eggs – For older patients, or patients where concerns about the ovarian reserve and egg quality are paramount, opting to use donor eggs may give you a higher chance of success than attempting IVF with your own eggs.
- Lifestyle factors – Infertility is also associated with various lifestyle factors which are in your hands and you may improve your chances of getting pregnant by tackling these lifestyle issues. Obesity is one such factor, as obesity can affect your hormones, menstrual cycle and ovulation. So if you are overweight and trying to conceive, you know what you have to do. Another factor is smoking, smoking in any form has serious reproductive consequences for both the partners. The result of IVF cycles has been found to be worse in female smokers, who may require twice as many IVF cycles to become pregnant.
- IVF Laboratory quality: Obviously, a laboratory plays a crucial part in IVF. Fertilization and the careful culturing of embryos before transfer requires a pristine environment. An excellent IVF lab will go above and beyond the basic requirements to ensure that embryos are given the best possible start. Qualification and experience of embryologist, air quality, temperature and light setting play an important role in IVF.
- Selection of fertility clinic – One of the most important factors in IVF success is choosing the right fertility centre with an experienced infertility specialist, nurses, technicians and state-of-art IVF lab. Because they are involved in every stage of the procedure, your fertility doctor will have a huge influence on your experience of IVF.
Another important factor is the success rate of the centre you choose, ask for the details like birth rate per IVF cycle, IUI success rate, pregnancy success rate per embryo transfer, pregnancy rate as per age group.
Every patient is different with various uncertainties, but a good fertility centre in the best IVF hospital can contribute a lot to your IVF success journey. Millions of healthy babies have been born with the help of IVF, and it remains an excellent choice for many people who are struggling to get pregnant on their own.