IVF failure and success

IVF_ failure and success

About IVF 
What Is In-Vitro-Fertilization (IVF)?
IVF stands for in vitro fertilization. It's one of the more widely known types of assisted reproductive technology (ART). IVF works by using a combination of medicines and surgical procedures to help sperm fertilize an egg, and help the fertilized egg implant in your uterus.

Different types of in vitro fertilization

Starting a Family: the different types of IVF

1. Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
2. In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)
3. Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
4. IVF using donor eggs.

1.  Intrauterine Insemination (IUI):

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is a fertility treatment that involves placing sperm inside a woman's uterus to facilitate fertilization. The goal of IUI is to increase the number of sperm that reach the fallopian tubes and subsequently increase the chance of fertilization.

How to function IUI?

During the IUI procedure, the doctor slides a thin, flexible tube through your cervix into your uterus. They use a small syringe to insert the sperm through the tube directly into your uterus. Pregnancy happens if sperm fertilizes an egg and the fertilized egg implants in the lining of your uterus.

Why IUI failure?

There are several reasons behind the failure of IUI. Some of the common reasons for failed IUI are endometriosis, poor sperm quality, decreased ovarian reserve, poor egg quality, etc

IUI success rate? 

On average, a woman under 35 will have a 10 to 20 percent chance of pregnancy with each IUI, while a woman over 40 will have a two to five percent chance.

2. In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF): 

IVF process is completed by 8 steps 

• Step 1: Day 1 of your period. The first official day of your IVF treatment cycle is day 1 of your period
• Step 2: Stimulating your ovaries
• Step 3: Egg retrieval
• Step 4: The sperm
• Step 5: Fertilisation
• Step 6: Embryo development
• Stage 7: Embryo transfer
• Step 8: The final blood test

Step 1: Day 1 of your period. The first official day of your IVF treatment cycle is day 1 of your period:

The first official day of your treatment cycle is the day you get your period. (Even though it may feel like you've already begun with the medications you started before in step one.) On the second day of your period, your doctor will likely order blood work and an ultrasound.

Step 2: Stimulating your ovaries:

The stimulation phase starts from day 1. In a natural monthly cycle, your ovaries normally produce 1 egg. You’ll take medication for 8-14 days to encourage the follicles in your ovaries (where the eggs live) to produce more eggs. 

Your specialist prescribes medication specific to your body and treatment plan. It’s usually in the form of injections, which can vary from 1-2 for the cycle or 1-2 per day. It can be daunting, but your fertility nurse will be there to show you exactly how and where to give the injections. You can get your partner involved too and watch and learn together to get it right. It quickly becomes a habit and you’ll be an expert in no time.

  

The most common hormones in the medications used to stimulate the follicles are:

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Luteinizing hormone (LH).
Rest medicine, your doctor suggests which other medicines to take and how to use them.

Step 3: Egg retrieval: 

Egg retrieval, or egg ‘pick up’, is a hospital day procedure where the eggs are collected from your ovaries. An anaesthetist will get you ready for a general anaesthetic. You’ll be asleep and the procedure takes about 20-30 minutes.

Your fertility specialist uses the latest ultrasound technology to guide a needle into each ovary. It’s delicate work where every millimetre counts, and this is where the experience of our specialists pays off. You can’t see an egg with the naked eye; they’re contained in the fluid within the follicles in your ovaries. The specialist removes fluid from the follicles that look like they’ve grown enough to have an egg inside.

Your fertility specialist should have a fair idea from your ultrasounds how many eggs there are before retrieval. The average number of eggs collected is 8-15.

Recovery takes about 30 minutes and you’ll be able to walk out on your own. It’s a good idea to have a support person with you as you won’t be able to drive after the procedure.

Step 4: The sperm: 

If you’re a couple planning on using fresh sperm, the male will produce a sample the morning of the egg retrieval. If you are using frozen or donor sperm, our scientists will have it ready in the lab.

The sperm is graded using 4 different levels of quality. It’s washed in a special mixture to slow it down so our scientists can spot the best ones under the microscope. A perfect, healthy sperm is not too fat or thin, with a tail that’s not too long or short. The best sperm are selected, and they’re ready and waiting in the lab to be introduced to the eggs.

Step 5: Fertilisation:

Your fertility specialist gives our scientists the eggs they have retrieved, still in the fluid from the follicles of the ovaries. The scientists use powerful microscopes to find the eggs in the fluid so they can be removed.

It’s important the eggs are fertilised quickly. The eggs and some sperm are placed in a dish. They have the chance to find each other and fertilise like they would naturally within your body.

Step 6: Embryo development: 

If the sperm fertilises the egg, it becomes an embryo. Our scientists put the embryo into a special incubator where the conditions for growth and development are perfect.

We create the perfect growing conditions using a mix of amino acids, just like your body would use to nurture the embryo.

Our scientists keep an eye on the embryos over 5-6 days. What we want is:

a two- to four-cell embryo on day 2 and a six- to eight-cell embryo on day 3 (called the cleavage stage)

We know implanting embryos at the blastocyst stage into the uterus boosts your chances of a successful pregnancy.

Unfortunately, not all eggs will fertilise and reach embryo stage. The eggs might not be mature or the sperm not be strong enough. We know you’ll be waiting on news, so we’ll keep you up to date with the progress of your egg, sperm and embryo development.

Step 7: Embryo transfer: 

If your embryo develops in the lab, you’re ready for it to be transferred into your uterus.

Your fertility nurses will contact you to explain what you will need to do to prepare.

The embryo transfer is a very simple process, like a pap smear. It takes about 5 minutes, you’ll be awake, there’s no anaesthetic, and you can get up straight away. You can continue with your day, the embryo can’t fall out if you stand up or go to the toilet.

A scientist prepares your embryo by placing it in a small tube called a catheter. It’s critical this is done by an expert to disturb the embryo as little as possible.

Your fertility specialist places the catheter through your cervix and into your uterus

 

Step 8: The final blood test: 

Approximately two weeks after your embryo transfer, you’ll have a blood test to measure your levels of the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). hCG in your bloodstream usually means a positive pregnancy test. Your nurse will let you know exactly when you need to have your blood test, as it may vary for some patients.

3. What is Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): 

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is an in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure in which a single sperm cell is injected directly into the cytoplasm of an egg. This technique is used in order to prepare the gametes for the obtention of embryos that may be transferred to a maternal uterus.

Why would I need ICSI?

ICSI helps to overcome fertility problems, such as:

• The male partner produces too few sperm to do artificial insemination (intrauterine insemination [IUI]) or IVF.
• The sperm may not move in a normal fashion.
• The sperm may have trouble attaching to the egg.
• A blockage in the male reproductive tract may keep sperm from getting out.
• Eggs have not fertilized by traditional IVF, regardless of the condition of the sperm.
• In vitro matured eggs are being used.
• Previously frozen eggs are being used.

4. Why using donor eggs in IVF? 

Egg donor IVF is a fertility treatment option for those who can’t use their own eggs, for whatever reason. Especially when using a screened egg donor (as opposed to a family member or friend), the success rates for egg donor IVF are good—higher than the average IVF success rates for couples not using a donor.

While egg donor IVF means the intended mother will not be genetically related to her child, the intended father will be. (Unless a sperm donor is also being used.) This makes it more attractive of an idea than embryo donor IVF. With an embryo donor, neither intended parent would be genetically related to the child.

Gay male couples interested in family building with IVF will also require an egg donor. In this case, one of the intended fathers will be genetically related to the child. (Assuming they don’t use a sperm donor.) A surrogate would be required to carry the pregnancy and give birth to the child.

IVF_ failure

IVF failure reasons points: 

One of the most common reasons as to why an IVF cycle fails is due to the quality of the embryo. Many embryos are unable to implant after transfer to the uterus as they are defective. Embryos that look healthy in a lab may have defects that cause them to die rather than grow.

Top 13 reasons for failure fertility treatments:

1. Embryo Quality
2. Age of the Eggs
3. Ovarian Response
4. Chromosomal Issues
5. Lifestyle Factors
6. Implantation
7. Egg abnormalities
8. Abnormal sperm
9. Embryo selection methods
10. IVF lab factors
11. Problems with egg retrieval and embryo transfer
12. Latent Genital Tuberculosis
13. Age factors IVF failure

1. Embryo Quality: The major reason why an IVF cycle is not successful is embryo quality. Many embryos are not able to implant after transfer to the uterus because they are flawed in some way. Even embryos that look good in the lab may have defects that cause them to die instead of growing. In nearly all cases, it’s not that your uterus has something wrong with it so you can’t carry a baby. The embryo doesn’t implant because it is not healthy enough to grow.

Embryo grading: Factors that determine which embryo to chose

2. Age of the Eggs: When it comes to IVF, the age of the eggs is more important than the age of the woman having IVF treatment. The quality and quantity of a woman’s eggs, known as her ovarian reserve, begin to get worse as she gets older. This affects her chances of success with IVF as well. On average, only about 25 percent of transferred embryos go on to result in live births of babies. But this greatly depends on the age of the woman’s eggs. Women under 35 using their own eggs for IVF have an implantation rate of about 45 percent. Women 40 to 42 years old using their own eggs have only about a 15 percent chance of implantation.

Older women who use donor eggs, which are donated by younger women, have success rates with IVF that are nearly the same as those of younger women. Egg quality is all-important to having healthy embryos, and younger eggs usually have better quality.

3. Ovarian Response: Sometimes a woman’s ovaries don’t respond to the fertility medications strongly enough to produce multiple eggs. Especially if a woman is over 37 or has higher FSH levels she may not produce enough eggs to result in a number of embryos for screening and potential implantation. Chances are higher that IVF will fail when this happens. Your reproductive endocrinologist will evaluate what happened and may make changes to your fertility medications for the next IVF cycle.

4. Chromosomal Issues: One of the major factors in IVF failure is chromosomal abnormalities in the embryo. This is true for all human embryos, whether naturally conceived or developed in the embryology lab. These abnormalities are the reason behind most miscarriages as well as failure to implant in an IVF cycle. Studies have shown that starting in their 30s, as women age, the incidence of chromosomal abnormalities in their eggs begins to increase. By the mid-40s as much as 75 percent of a woman’s eggs have chromosomal abnormalities. A man’s sperm develops more chromosomal abnormalities as he ages as well, but at a much lower rate than a woman’s eggs. It’s unfair, ladies, but it’s true.

If you’ve had a failed IVF cycle, your fertility specialist may recommend PGS, preimplantation genetic screening, for your next IVF cycle. PGS tests a few cells from an embryo to determine if the correct number of chromosomes are present. The Fertility Clinic’s Skills and IVF Lab Quality IVF is a science but it’s also an art. Are you better off with an experienced reproductive endocrinologist with a long track record, or a new young doctor just off fellowship training who may be at the cutting edge of practice? What are the practice’s success rates with women your age? Does the lab have a good reputation and experienced staff? Do you feel comfortable that your doctor is listening to you and is addressing your concerns? Before you commit to a second IVF cycle, assess how you and your partner feel.

5. Lifestyle Factors: Many fertility clinics require women to stop smoking at least three months before starting IVF treatment. Women who smoke need twice as many IVF cycles to conceive and are much more likely to miscarry than women who don’t smoke. Women who are overweight or underweight are less likely to have successful IVF treatment. The bottom line is, maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight, losing as little as 10 percent of your body weight can make a positive difference in your ability to get pregnant.

6. Implantation:

Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) refers to cases in which women have had three failed in vitro fertilization (IVF) attempts with good quality embryos. The definition should also take advanced maternal age and embryo stage into consideration.

Why is IVF implantation fails?

One of the most common reasons as to why an IVF cycle fails is due to the quality of the embryo. Many embryos are unable to implant after transfer to the uterus as they are defective. Embryos that look healthy in a lab may have defects that cause them to die rather than grow.

Symptoms of IVF Failure

The IVF implantation failure symptoms are quite evident by the absence of any changes. Implantation generally causes changes in the tendency to smell, increased sensitivity of breasts, vaginal discharge, and slight abdominal cramping.

Causes of IVF  failure

The most important variables involved in a successful IVF cycle are a healthy egg, normal, functional sperm, and a uterus that is capable of nurturing the growth of a baby.  In addition to these issues, there are many other factors that can impact one’s chance for pregnancy with IVF.  These include the laboratory environment, the techniques used in the lab, and the skill of the specialists performing the egg retrieval and embryo transfer.

7. Egg abnormalities:

The human egg is a very complex structure.  As such, it is subject to damage that can render it non functional.  As you may recall from high school biology, when cells divide, chromosomes (the packets of DNA that contain your genes and those of your partner) duplicate and line up in the middle of the cell.  As the cell divides, half of the chromosomes move in one direction and the other half move in the exact opposite direction, resulting in two identical cells.  These chromosomes move because they are attached to a structure called the spindle apparatus that is responsible for chromosome separation, which is necessary for cell division.  As the oocyte ages, the spindle apparatus becomes prone to breakage – such breakage can result in an abnormal distribution of chromosomes, leading to a chromosomally abnormal and therefore, nonviable embryo.  The oocyte is also subject to damage due to the presence of free radicals, reactive oxygen species, and other products of metabolism that occur within the ovary as a woman ages.  Many recent studies have demonstrated that between 25% and 40% of all oocytes are chromosomally abnormal.  This number obviously increases as a woman ages.

8. Abnormal sperm:

Although abnormal sperm appear to be a less common factor affecting the success of an IVF cycle, they nevertheless play an important supporting role.  Sperm do not merely bump into an egg and cause fertilization.  Rather, the process of fertilization itself is very complex.  In order for sperm to migrate to the egg, they must be motile; in other words, the tail of the sperm must be able to propel the sperm through the female reproductive tract to the egg.  There are specific receptors on the surface of a sperm head that bind to specific receptors on the outer membrane of an egg allowing for sperm/egg interaction.  Once this happens, enzymes are released from the sperm head that enable digestion of a hole in the outer membranes of the egg.  The sperm eventually penetrates the egg where the nucleus of the sperm opens, releasing the sperm DNA.  At that point, the chromosomes from the sperm and the chromosomes from the egg combine, producing a fertilized egg (which is actually a very early embryo).  Studies suggest that the incidence of chromosomal abnormalities in sperm is far greater than that seen in eggs.  However, whereas a chromosomally abnormal oocyte may lead to a chromosomally abnormal pregnancy, chromosomally abnormal sperm appear to not be able to successfully fertilize an egg.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was developed to enable men with very low sperm counts, low motility, or very few normal sperm to be able to achieve fertilization and pregnancy.   Over the past few years, ICSI has evolved to the point that it is now routinely performed in cases of severe male factor, resulting in fertilization rates comparable to those achieved with normal sperm.  In addition, data from long term studies suggest that the incidence of chromosomal abnormalities in the offspring from IVF cycles in which ICSI was utilized do not exceed those found in nature.

9. Embryo selection methods: 

The embryos that are ultimately transferred into the women’s uterus are selected by the embryologist.  Unfortunately, our ability to distinguish chromosomally normal from chromosomally abnormal embryos remains severely limited.  Essentially, our embryologists select embryos for transfer based on three basic criteria:  cell stage, embryo grade, and the rate of cell division.  We know from studies performed in our laboratory that on day three, embryos that have developed to at least the 6 cell stage have a much better prognosis for success than embryos that have 5 or fewer cells.

Similarly, we believe that embryos that are of a better grade (grade 1, 2 or even 2.5) are much more likely to implant that those embryos with lower grades (3 or 4).  In addition, as we observe the embryos on a regular basis, our embryologists are able to determine the rate of cell division.  For example, an embryo that gradually reaches the 8 cell stage by day three is much more likely to do well than an embryo that has delayed fertilization and rapid growth towards the end of this time period.

10. IVF lab factors:

The IVF laboratory is a very tightly controlled environment, in which we attempt to simulate what sperm, eggs, and embryos experience inside the female reproductive tract.  Specifically, we tightly control oxygen concentration, carbon dioxide concentration, and other factors such as humidity, PH, temperature, and light.  Even slight alterations from what embryos normally experience can lead to death of the embryos and therefore no chance for pregnancy from the resulting cycle.

Our embryologists continuously keep up with the changing literature and make alterations in our laboratory as necessary, in order to continue to optimize the environment to which gametes and embryos are exposed.  In addition, they perform daily quality assessment and control procedures in order to confirm that our equipment is always functioning optimally.  The construction of the laboratory itself, which involved the placement of multiple types of filters in the ceilings of the operating room and the laboratory, was meticulously overseen in order to guarantee an optimal laboratory environment.  In addition, such seemingly minor details as using only incandescent light during procedures can have profound effects on ultimate outcome.

11. Problems with egg retrieval and embryo transfer:

The surgical procedures themselves, the egg retrieval, and the embryo transfer, are very important to the success of an IVF cycle.  Retrieving fewer eggs than expected, or even worse – failing to retrieve any eggs, can lead to an adverse outcome.  In addition, during the embryo transfer procedure – one of the most important steps of the entire cycle – embryos must be placed in the correct location.  In our program, we perform a trial transfer in order to determine, in advance, the optimal location for embryo placement.  In addition, prior to transferring the embryos, your physician will take great pains to remove any cervical mucus or other cellular debris that may plug up the transfer catheter.  We also pre-treat all of our patients with a smooth muscle relaxant in order to prevent contractions of the uterus.

12. Latent Genital Tuberculosis: 
Role of Latent Genital Tuberculosis in Repeated IVF Failure in the Indian Clinical Setting: 

Genital tuberculosis is reported to be a major pelvic factor causing infertility in Indian women and often exists without any apparent signs and symptoms. The role of latent tuberculosis in repeated IVF failure in unexplained infertility is examined. 81 women with unexplained infertility having repeated IVF failure tested for Mycobacterium tuberculosis using PCR, ZN staining, TB gold and BACTEC culture were selected. Fresh IVF-ET or frozen embryo transfer (FET) was attempted on patients successfully treated with anti-tubercular drugs (ATD). ATD-treated fresh cycles (group A1) and frozen cycles (group B1) were compared to previously failed fresh cycles (group A2) and FET attempts (group B2), respectively. Main outcome measures were gonadotropin required, terminal E2, number of oocytes retrieved, fertilization rate, embryo quality, endometrial thickness and sub-endometrial blood flow (V(max)). Gonadotropin required in group A1 was significantly less as compared to group A2. Number of oocytes retrieved and grade I embryos, endometrial thickness and V(max) were significantly higher in group A1. Endometrial thickness and V(max) were significantly increased in group B1 as compared to B2. The study indicates that latent tuberculosis should be considered in young Indian patients presenting with unexplained infertility with apparently normal pelvic and non-endometrial tubal factors and repeated IVF failure. 

13. Age factors IVF failure: 

Conclusion:  Female age is a key predictor of failure to have a live birth following IVF as well as the risk of poor performance at each stage of treatment. While increased duration of infertility is also associated with worse outcomes at every stage, its impact appears to be less influential.

Frozen Embryo Transfer

If you are undergoing IVF and have had one or more embryos frozen, you may wish to use them in a future cycle. This fact sheet explains what is involved in the frozen embryo transfer process.

What is a frozen embryo transfer cycle?

A frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle means thawing one or more embryos (frozen during a previous treatment cycle) and transferring that embryo (or embryos) to the uterus in order to try to establish a pregnancy. The process is a routine procedure at Life Fertility Clinic. 

When is a frozen embryo cycle recommended?

When ovaries are stimulated in a typical IVF or ICSI cycle, they produce multiple eggs for insemination and this often leads to a number of healthy embryos being created. As only one (or two) will be transferred to the uterus immediately, the rest can be frozen to use in another IVF cycle if the first transfer does not result in a pregnancy, or at a later time to create a sibling. 

Occasionally a woman having IVF treatment will be advised to freeze all her embryos and not to transfer any immediately if the lining of the uterus has not developed to a suitable stage or if she is at risk of developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).  

It is also increasingly common for the fertility specialist to recommend that we freeze all of a patient’s embryos because the more natural environment in the uterus during a later cycle may have a better chance of establishing a pregnancy.  

Freezing embryos is also a potential avenue for a woman who wants to postpone pregnancy until her late 30s or early 40s but who understands she may not have suitable eggs of her own by then.

What are the success rates of frozen embryo transfer?

The pregnancy success rate depends on a number of factors, including the woman’s age.  

Some embryos (or possibly all embryos) will not survive the freezing and thawing process if cells are damaged. Frozen embryo survival rates are more than 90% if embryos are frozen by ‘vitrification’ at the blastocyst stage (5-6 days after fertilisation). If they are frozen at the earlier stages by ‘slow freezing’, approximately 80% survive the freezing and thawing process.  

If an embryo vitrified at the blastocyst stage is thawed and transferred, it has approximately the same success rate as a fresh embryo. 

There is no evidence that frozen and thawed embryos result in a greater number of miscarriages or abnormalities.  

What does a frozen embryo transfer cycle involve?

When you are ready to begin a FET cycle, contact your IVF nurse coordinator. She will review your fertility specialist’s instructions and will help you complete all of the paperwork for the cycle (e.g. consent and Medicare forms).  

You cannot go ahead with any part of the FET cycle until you and your partner (if you have a partner who was part of the original treatment) have signed and returned the appropriate consent forms.  

Before a frozen embryo can be transferred into your uterus, the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) must be prepared to the right stage in either a ‘natural cycle’ or a ‘hormone replacement therapy cycle’ as explained below.  

Natural cycle

In a natural FET cycle, we allow the endometrium to thicken naturally as part of your normal cycle. We monitor the cycle by checking the developing egg follicle on the ovary and the thickness of the endometrium by ultrasound and, once they have reached an appropriate size/thickness, we trigger ovulation.  

The embryo transfer then takes place approximately a week after this. The exact timing will depend on your individual treatment plan and at what stage of development your embryos were frozen. Progesterone medication, either as an injection or pessaries, is often given during the second half of the cycle to help support the endometrium. 

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) cycle

An HRT cycle is often used to control the cycle particularly in women who don’t have a regular cycle. We use additional estrogen and progesterone medications to develop the endometrium to the right stage.  

You will take estrogen medications throughout the cycle and progesterone medications during the second part of the cycle. We monitor the development of the endometrium by ultrasound to check when to introduce progesterone. Your embryos are normally implanted in a week or so after starting progesterone, but this can vary depending on individual circumstances and the stage at which your embryos were frozen. 

When will my embryos be thawed?

The laboratory will thaw your embryos so that the stage of embryo development corresponds to the right stage of your menstrual cycle. Timing also depends on what stage the embryos were frozen. At Life Fertility Clinic, we usually freeze embryos at the blastocyst stage and then thaw them in the morning on the day of your embryo transfer. 

How are embryos transferred?

We use a fine tube (a catheter) to pass the embryo through the cervix and into the uterus. A small amount of the culture medium is also placed in the uterus with the embryo. This technique usually doesn’t need sedation and most women only report mild discomfort.  

What happens after the embryo transfer?

Before you go home after the transfer, your nurse coordinator will go through the instructions from your fertility specialist, including your medications and any lifestyle considerations. 

We order a pregnancy blood test for 11 to 14 days after your embryo transfer. The blood test measures the hormone human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), which is produced by the pregnancy. Please wait until the advised date to have your test as hormones used during the cycle can lead to false readings if you test too soon. 

Whichever type of FET cycle you are having, it is very important to continue the prescribed medications until you have received the results of your pregnancy test.

Some women experience bleeding or spotting before their pregnancy test. This is not necessarily a period and it is very important that you continue to take any prescribed medications until you have spoken to your Nurse Coordinator or fertility specialist.

IVF_success

IVF_success:

According to at least one study, women who conceived with IVF treatment went through an average of 2.7 cycles. 1 They found that the odds for success—for women of all ages—after three IVF cycles were between 34 and 42 percent. Practically speaking, to improve your odds, you should try for at least three IVF cycles.

IVF success rate:

In fact, the live birth IVF success rate for women under 35 who start an IVF cycle is 40 percent. However, women over age 42 have a 4 percent success rate. More IVF success factors to think about include whether or not you were pregnant previously and if it was with the same partner.

Then it's important to learn about IVF success factors that can help or hinder your getting pregnant.

IVF Success Factor 1 – Age

IVF Success Factor 2 – Previous pregnancy.

IVF Success Factor 3 – Type of fertility problems

IVF Success Factor 4 – Use of donor eggs

IVF Success Factor 5 – Lifestyle habits

IVF Success Factor 6 – Fertility clinic

Considering in vitro fertilization (IVF)? Then it’s important to learn about IVF success factors that can help or hinder your getting pregnant.

IVF Success Factor 1 – Age:

Your age and using your own eggs are important IVF success factors to consider. While younger women have higher chances of IVF success, factors that reduce the chances of IVF success include being an older woman with fewer eggs and the lower quality of an older woman’s eggs.

In fact, the live birth IVF success rate for women under 35 who start an IVF cycle is 40 percent. However, women over age 42 have a 4 percent success rate.

IVF Success Factor 2 – Previous pregnancy:

More IVF success factors to think about include whether or not you were pregnant previously and if it was with the same partner.

If you were pregnant previously with the same partner that’s currently undergoing IVF treatment, there is a greater probability of IVF success. Factors such as a history of recurrent miscarriage or a different partner may reduce the chances of IVF success.

IVF Success Factor 3 – Type of fertility problems:

While some male infertility problems do impact IVF success, factors like uterine abnormalities, exposure to DES or fibroid tumors also decrease the likelihood of success with IVF.

Very important to know: IVF success factors are dependent on ovulation. Ovarian dysfunction, like high FSH levels which indicate a low ovarian reserve, may reduce the chances of IVF success. 

Factors that may lower pregnancy rates and reduce success with IVF include needing large amounts of ovulation stimulation drugs.

When both partners are infertile with lower chances for IVF success, factors such as the length of time you have been infertile is important to consider. The chances of IVF success decrease with the amount of time a couple has been infertile.

IVF Success Factor 4 – Use of donor eggs:

Donor eggs are a significant consideration, especially if you are over 35-40, as there may be a higher rate of IVF success. Factors such as egg quality and age of donor are important. Using donor eggs from younger women may increase the chances of pregnancy for women over 40. 2011 findings show a 55 percent live birth success rate with a fresh donor egg/embryo transfer.

IVF Success Factor 5 – Lifestyle habits:

Stop smoking if you want to improve your chance of having a baby. In fact, many times the woman is required to stop smoking at least 3 months before starting IVF treatment.

• Smokers require higher dosages of fertility drugs to stimulate their ovaries
• Smokers have lower implantation rates than nonsmokers
• Women who smoke require almost twice as many IVF attempts
• Women who smoke experience more failed fertilization cycles

More IVF success factors to mull over include losing weight if you are overweight or obese. Women who are overweight have an increased risk of infertility as well as miscarriage. Overweight women also have less IVF success with fertility treatments than women of normal weight. Underweight women are also at greater risk of having success with IVF. Bottom line: aim to stay within a healthy weight range.

IVF Success Factor 6 – Fertility clinic:

The center you choose to perform the IVF treatment can greatly affect your IVF success. Factors to think about when reviewing the success rate of fertility centers include: 

• The training and experience of the IVF clinic and staff
• The live birth rate per IVF cycles started
• The rate of patients pregnant with multiples (twins, triplets or more)
• The laboratory used by the clinic and the qualifications of their staff
• The types of patients accepted at the clinic, more specifically their age and fertility problem

Keep in mind that some clinics are more willing to accept patients with a lower chance of IVF success or they may specialize in particular treatments.

Know  your IVF success factors as you plan to get pregnant:

Remember, just as with any chronic illness, knowledge is power with infertility. The more you learn about specific IVF success factors, the more control you will feel about high-tech treatments that help you get pregnant and start a family.

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