Decoding IVF Success Rates
Patient: Dr. Malpani, I have a simple question. What are my chances of getting pregnant through IVF?
Dr. Malpani: That’s an excellent question, but the reality is, the answer isn’t simple at all. Success rates can be confusing because every doctor defines "success" differently.
Patient: Really? What do you mean by "different definitions"?
Dr. Malpani: For instance, some doctors consider a positive beta HCG test as success. But here’s the catch—they might give you an HCG injection after the embryo transfer. This artificially makes the pregnancy test positive, which is misleading.
Patient: That sounds like cheating!
Dr. Malpani: Unfortunately, it is. They claim a 100% success rate, but that doesn’t mean you’ll have a baby. It’s important to know that the real measure of success is the live birth rate, which means the number of healthy babies born as a result of IVF.
Patient: That sounds straightforward. Is it not?
Dr. Malpani: Not exactly. There’s more to it. For example, some patients may get pregnant but then miscarry. So, the pregnancy rate and the live birth rate are not the same.
Patient: Can you explain that further?
Dr. Malpani: Sure. Some patients may have:
- A chemical pregnancy , where the blood test is positive, but no gestational sac is seen on ultrasound.
- A clinical pregnancy I, where the pregnancy continues up to eight weeks, but they miscarry later.
So, it’s critical to ask exactly what a doctor means when they talk about success rates.
Patient: That makes sense. Are some doctors dishonest about success rates?
Dr. Malpani: Sadly, yes. Many inflate their numbers to attract patients, which can be dangerous. That’s why you need to ask the right questions.
Patient: What should I be asking, then?
Dr. Malpani: The most realistic question to ask is: What are my chances of getting pregnant after three cycles? This gives a better idea of your overall probability and sets realistic expectations. Make sure to clarify this before signing up for an IVF cycle.