Probability of IVF Resulting in Live Birth
~35% per cycle
Per-event probability in US
The average IVF success rate (live birth per cycle) is about 35%, but varies dramatically by age from over 50% under 35 to under 5% over 42.
In vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates vary significantly by age and other factors. According to the CDC's ART Success Rates report, the average live birth rate per IVF cycle using fresh embryos from the patient's own eggs is approximately 35% overall. However, this masks dramatic age-related variation.
Success rates by maternal age (approximate live birth per cycle): under 35: 46-50%; 35-37: 35-40%; 38-40: 23-28%; 41-42: 12-15%; over 42: 3-5%. Using donor eggs from younger women dramatically improves success rates for older patients, with rates of about 50% regardless of the recipient's age.
Cumulative success rates across multiple cycles are higher: about 65-70% of women achieve a live birth within three IVF cycles. Factors affecting success beyond age include the cause of infertility, BMI, smoking status, and the clinic's protocols. The use of preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) can improve per-transfer success rates by identifying chromosomally normal embryos. About 2% of all US births (about 75,000 babies per year) now result from IVF.
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