IVF Success Rates

During in vitro fertilization the female partner’s eggs are collected and fertilized with sperm in a laboratory, before the resulting embryo is implanted into the uterus. While the process sounds relatively simple, it is important to understand that IVF is not a single medical procedure or event, but a series of detailed and delicate procedures that are completed over a number of weeks. From the first day of the cycle to the pregnancy test completed 14 days after the egg retrieval, the entire IVF process spans around 28 days.

If you would like to know more about IVF, please read our article What is IVF? here … or click here… to read more about the procedures and processes IVF involves.

IVF success rates

Earlier this year, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) – the UK’s independent regulator of fertility treatment and research – published their latest annual dataset Fertility Trends: ‘UK statistics for IVF and DI treatment, storage, and donation’ .

The report analyses data from all fertility treatment across the UK and shows that IVF birth rates have increased for all patient groups under 43 over time.

According to the report, patients had a birth rate of 23% per embryo transferred, while for patients under 35, the birth rate was 31% per embryo transferred – compared to just 9% three decades ago.

At Cape Fertility, our average pregnancy rate following IVF is much higher.

Our success rate for IVF and ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) is 45%.

Our success rate for IVF and ICSI goes up to 65% for the patients using donor eggs from our premium Cape Fertility Egg Donor Program.

And we are very proud of our average pregnancy rate with three IVF cycles at 79%, among the highest in the world!

What impacts the success rate of IVF?

IVF treatment has a great success rate, especially at a world-class clinic such as Cape Fertility.

It must be remembered, however, that the success rates depend on many factors, particularly the age of the female partner and the fertility clinic chosen.

The most important factor in determining the success of IVF is the age of the woman having treatment. In a 25-year-old woman, an IVF cycle may have a 60% success rate with embryo transfer, compared to a 40-year-old woman having a 10% success rate with IVF. It is also important to realise that, in many cases, more than one IVF cycle is required to achieve a pregnancy.

The HFEA report also confirms that age is still the key factor for a successful IVF outcome, with the improvement in success rates mentioned earlier being less pronounced for patients over 40 years old. The report also confirms that higher birth rates in this age group can be seen when donor eggs are used, with 25% success rate, compared to just 10% when using the patient’s own eggs.

IVF isn’t usually recommended for women over the age of 42 because the chances of a successful pregnancy are generally too low.

Another important factor in the success rate of IVF is the fertility clinic you choose.

Why does Cape Fertility achieve such great IVF success rates?

Cape Fertility is undoubtedly among the top fertility clinics in the world and has one of South Africa’s best IVF facilities.

All the procedures in the IVF process are done at our purpose-built premises in Claremont, in the beautiful City of Cape Town. We have a dedicated IVF Procedure Room, a modern and sophisticated IVF lab and a special Embryo Transfer room, all conveniently located adjacent to our main reception and staff offices.

Cape Fertility is also continuously investing in new high-quality technology. As a result, we have access to many technologies that are not available in standard IVF clinics.

At our Cape Fertility state-of-the-art laboratory, we predominantly perform ICSI – a procedure in which sperm is injected individually into mature eggs by an embryologist, using high-powered microscopes, specialised needles and micromanipulation skills.

Our IVF lab is also equipped with state-of-the-art tech such as Laser Assisted Biopsy; Sperm Class Analyzer(r) CASA System; and EMBRYOSCOPE™, an advanced time-lapse incubator providing optimum control of the environment for handling eggs and embryos and we only use the highest quality products for sperm preparation, egg retrieval and embryo culture.

These facilities and technologies, along with our experienced team, ensure all the latest Assisted Conception Techniques, including IVF, are used with great success. Yet, at Cape Fertility, we are also always striving for higher success rates.

When you have your IVF treatment at Cape Fertility, you will also meet one of our four reproductive specialists: all with impressive qualifications and extensive experience. Our chairman, Dr Sulaiman Heylen, serves as the President of the Southern African Society for Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecological Endoscopy (SASREG). He is also one of Cape Fertility Cinic’s four reproductive specialists, along with Dr Paul Le Roux, Dr Lizle Oosthuizen and Dr Nomathamsanqa Matebese. You can read more about this amazing team here… They enjoy the support of a qualified team of associated specialists, embryologists, IVF co-ordinators and theatre staff.

At Cape Fertility, you will also enjoy the support of your own IVF co-ordinator, with a 4-year University Degree as Bachelor of Nursing (or equivalent) and many years of experience in fertility and IVF treatment. Your IVF co-ordinator will guide you through every one of the various steps of the IVF process, plan your treatment dates and monitoring, show you exactly how the medications should be taken and answer the practical questions you may have while offering advice and support. You can meet our team of IVF co-ordinators at capefertility.co.za/ivf-co-ordinators.

Similarly, each of our highly qualified embryologists holds at least a 4-year university degree. Guided by the highest ethical standards, our embryologists are also experienced and work as a team, drawing on their individual experiences and combining their talents to define and establish the finest IVF processes and practices in all areas, including oocyte vitrification, frozen embryo transfer, ICSI and PGS/PGD. We invite you to meet our embryologists here…

Your next step

Your first step to achieving the best IVF success rates is simply to contact us by clicking here…

At Cape Fertility, we value each individual patient and we look forward to providing you with individualised and personalised care, affordable quality fertility treatment, and higher success rates at our purpose-built premises in the beautiful city of Cape Town.