Want to learn how to boost IVF success the first time? If you are considering IVF, you may wonder about your chances of getting pregnant and having a baby after the first IVF cycle.
An IVF cycle is defined as when a woman starts taking fertility drugs or when she starts having her ovaries observed by a fertility specialist.
Factors that affect IVF success the first time
Overall, the following factors can affect IVF success the first time:
- Your age (women under 35 have the best chances of pregnancy)
- The health of your uterus
- The quality of your partner’s semen and sperm
- The health and development of the embryo after fertilization
- The number of embryos transferred (usually less are transferred if you are a younger woman)
- The length of the luteal phase after transfer is complete (a luteal phase that is too short is often less desirable)
Infertility causes impact IVF success the first time
Unfortunately, not all IVF cycles will result in a pregnancy or live birth. Your age and the age of your male partner can affect IVF success the first time. Along with differences in age, couples will also have different causes of infertility that influence IVF success the first time.
As an example, you may have infertility issues that are caused by tubal problems or ovulation dysfunction. Other your partner may struggle with male factors like low sperm counts. And some couples will have infertility issues that stem from both the male and the female.
Since each couple undergoing IVF to get pregnant has individual and unique differences, it may be difficult for your doctor to predict if you’ll have IVF success the first time.
Multiple embryos and IVF success the first time
If you are under age 35, the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) recommends that only one embryo should be implanted during IVF. That’s because a younger woman has a greater chance of IVF success the first time than an older woman.
Also, if you are under age 35, transferring two embryos might increase your chances of having pregnancy complications or multiple births. With multiple births, you may be at risk for a premature delivery. Premature births can result in low birth rates and developmental problems.
Older moms may be less likely to become pregnant, so sometimes two or more embryos are implanted in women over 35 to increase IVF success the first time. Still, when multiple embryos implant during IVF, the likelihood of complications is increased in pregnancy.
Clinics vary with IVF success the first time
Clinics reports of IVF success the first time can sometimes be misleading. Fertility centers can vary in who they will treat, and the methods they use.
Some fertility clinics have age cutoffs, and will not help women over 40. Other clinics may accept women into their mid-40s and encourage them to use donor eggs from younger women.
Because fertility clinic practices vary, it is importance to screen your potential fertility clinic and fertility specialists wisely.
Predicting your IVF success the first time
As you can imagine, undergoing IVF is a very emotional and stressful experience for all involved, especially given all the time, work and money spent to make this pregnancy happen.
That’s why it is so important to be open and honest with your fertility specialist. Ask about the different factors that might affect your individual fertility situation. Discuss problems that might negatively impact your IVF success the first time.
It is true that women who are younger than 35 are the most likely to have a higher IVF success rate the first time, getting pregnant after an IVF cycle. So to increase your odds for IVF success, it is probably best to start the ART procedure as soon as your doctor agrees that it is necessary.
Sources: CDC. 2006 Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Report: Commonly Asked Questions. American Pregnancy Association. In Vitro Fertilization: IVF. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Acupuncture Shows Promise in Improving Rates of Pregnancy Following IVF. CDC. 2006 Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Report: Commonly Asked Questions. The Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the Practice Committee of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology. SART. Success Rates. 2009
