What Your Clinic Won’t Tell You About IVF Success Rates
Clinics advertise their success rates loudly زراعة الأسنان. They don’t advertise that those rates are often calculated per embryo transfer, not per patient. A clinic might boast a 60% success rate, but that could mean 60% of transfers work—not 60% of couples walking in the door.
Ask for the live birth rate per started cycle. That number tells you how many couples leave with a baby after one full IVF attempt. It’s usually 20-30% lower than the transfer success rate. Write this number down before you sign anything.
The Hidden Cost of “Add-Ons” That Don’t Add Up
Every clinic offers extras: embryo glue, time-lapse imaging, genetic screening. Most of these add £1,000–£3,000 to your bill. Few have strong evidence they improve live birth rates.
Check the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) traffic-light ratings. Green means proven, amber means mixed evidence, red means no good evidence. Skip the reds. If you’re paying for amber, ask for a money-back guarantee if the add-on doesn’t work.
Stimulation Protocols Are Tailored to the Clinic, Not You
Doctors pick stimulation drugs based on clinic habits, not always your hormone levels. Some clinics use high doses to grow more eggs, risking ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Others use mild stimulation, which is safer but may yield fewer eggs.
Request an anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) test before your first consultation. If your AMH is low, push for a mild protocol. If it’s high, insist on OHSS prevention measures like cabergoline or coasting. Bring the test results to every appointment—don’t assume the clinic will adjust automatically.
The Embryo Grading Game You’re Not Supposed to Question
Clinics grade embryos from A to D, but the system isn’t standardised. A “top-grade” embryo at one clinic might be a “B” at another. Some clinics transfer lower-grade embryos to boost their success rates, knowing only the best will implant.
Ask for photos of your embryos at day 3 and day 5. Compare them to published grading charts from the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART). If your clinic’s “A” embryo looks like a SART “C,” demand an explanation.
Fresh vs. Frozen Transfers: The Strategy Clinics Keep Quiet
Many clinics push fresh transfers because they’re faster and cheaper for them. But studies show frozen transfers often have higher success rates, especially if you’re at risk of OHSS or have a thin uterine lining.
Ask your doctor for the live birth rates of fresh vs. frozen transfers at their clinic. If frozen is better, insist on a freeze-all cycle. If they refuse, ask why. Some clinics lack the equipment or expertise to freeze well—find one that does.