Question 1

What is a good IVF success rate?

Accepted Answer

A clinical pregnancy rate of 40–60% per cycle for women under 35 with own eggs is considered strong. Donor egg IVF typically achieves 60–70%. Success rates drop significantly with age: approximately 25–35% for women aged 38–40, and 10–15% for women over 42 using own eggs.

Question 2

What is the difference between clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate in IVF?

Accepted Answer

Clinical pregnancy rate measures pregnancies confirmed by ultrasound (heartbeat at 6–7 weeks). Live birth rate measures babies actually delivered. Live birth rates are always lower than clinical pregnancy rates due to miscarriage. Always ask clinics for live birth rate data, not just pregnancy rates.

Question 3

How do IVF success rates in Turkey compare to the UK?

Accepted Answer

Accredited Turkish IVF clinics report success rates comparable to HFEA-regulated UK centres for equivalent patient profiles. Top Istanbul clinics publish age-stratified data. The key is choosing an accredited clinic that reports outcomes transparently, not using market averages.

Question 4

Does IVF success rate depend on the clinic or the patient?

Accepted Answer

Both. Patient factors (age, ovarian reserve, embryo quality, uterine environment) are the primary determinants of IVF success. Clinic factors (lab quality, embryologist skill, culture media, stimulation protocol) can meaningfully influence outcomes, particularly embryo development rates.

Question 5

How many IVF cycles does it typically take to achieve pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Cumulative success rates across multiple cycles are significantly higher than single-cycle rates. After 3 cycles, approximately 50–70% of women under 38 will achieve a live birth. Turkey's lower per-cycle cost makes multiple cycles more financially accessible for UK patients.

IVF Success Rates Explained: What the Numbers Really Mean