IVF Success Rates (using own oocytes and fresh embryo transfer)

The most recent results available are from Assisted Reproductive Technology in Australia and New Zealand 2016, published September 2018.  This report provides success rates for IVF and FET (Frozen Embryo Transfer) cycles in all accredited fertility clinics in Australia and New Zealand during 2016.  IVF cycles include add-ons such as ICSI.  The data shows the total number of cycles undertaken and the outcomes for all fertility clinics.  It therefore indicates average outcomes across all fertility clinics.  This excellent report is available at https://npesu.unsw.edu.au/surveillance-reports and patients are encouraged to access it directly.  In this section we will explain and discuss the information presented in this report.

The information in the report is divided into fresh cycles and thaw cycles.  Fresh cycles refer to embryo transfer using embryos from an IVF cycle.  They are termed ‘fresh’ because they have never been frozen.  In contrast thaw cycles refer to embryo transfer using embryos which have been frozen and then thawed, or what we call a frozen embryo treatment cycle (FET).  See section Success Rates>FET Success Rates for thaw cycle data.

The report uses the term ‘autologous’ which simply means that the embryos result from the use of the patient’s own eggs/oocytes.  Therefore it does not include donor oocyte cycles.  However, an autologous cycle can include either the male partner’s sperm or donor sperm.

The graph below is taken from a summary report from the website above.  It shows the progression of all 47,172 IVF cycles which were started in 2016.

 

Of the 47,172 cycles initiated, 42,533 cycles progressed to an OPU (oocyte pick up).

From 42,533 oocyte pick ups 11,285 cycles resulted in freeze-alls  shown in dark blue.  Freeze-alls are when eggs are collected and fertilised but all embryos are frozen and none transferred.   Note that freeze-all cycles can use the embryos in subsequent FET cycles.

From the 42,533 OPUs only 24,734 cycles progressed to a fresh embryo transfer.  Of these 24,734 fresh embryo transfers, there were 7,461 clinical pregnancies and of these 5,874 progressed to a live birth.  (Please see Success Rates>Intro for explanation of clinical pregnancies).

Therefore the success rate of IVF fresh embryo transfers was 7,461 clinical pregnancies from 24,734 embryo transfers, or 30.2%.

However, using live births, the success rate is 5,874 from 24,734, or 23.7%.

Live births from the IVF cycles started is much lower at 12.5%.

This highlights that it is very important to be aware of what the success rate is composed of, as the rates vary markedly.  It is important not to assume that the success rate quoted is for live births from started IVF cycles.