Transparency
Understanding IVF Success Rates
Learn what clinic percentages measure, how age and diagnosis affect interpretation, and which methodology questions to ask before comparing outcomes.
Age-band planning context
No clinic success percentage is published here. Any future Santaan outcome figure must include a defined metric, timeframe, cohort size and denominator after medical and legal review.
| Age band | Planning context | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| <30 | Baseline assessment | Review diagnosis, ovarian reserve, semen factors and uterine findings before choosing a pathway. |
| 30–34 | Diagnosis-led planning | Protocol, lab strategy, uterine factors and treatment history should be considered together. |
| 35–37 | Time-aware planning | Discuss ovarian reserve, embryo factors and the value of cumulative planning across a full treatment plan. |
| 38–40 | Individual counselling | Review time sensitivity, prior response and the trade-offs among available treatment options. |
| 41–42 | Options review | Own-egg treatment, embryo factors and alternative pathways require individual clinical counselling. |
| 43+ | Specialist evaluation | A clinician should review diagnosis, treatment history and available pathways without relying on a headline percentage. |
Methodology disclaimer (keep this section when publishing)
- Success rates depend on age, diagnosis, ovarian reserve, sperm factors, embryo genetics, and treatment adherence.
- Any published number should specify timeframe, cohort size, and the exact metric definition.
- Individual outcomes vary; consult a fertility specialist for a personalized plan.
This page provides comparison questions, not an individual prognosis or treatment promise.
What the numbers should represent
Define the exact metric before publishing: clinical pregnancy rate, live birth rate, or ongoing pregnancy rate. Use one primary metric and mention secondary metrics separately.
How we segment outcomes
Most audited reporting groups outcomes by maternal age, diagnosis (PCOS, endometriosis, male factor), and whether embryos were tested (PGT-A).
Why outcomes vary
Embryo genetics, ovarian reserve, sperm quality, uterine factors, and protocol adherence are major drivers. Lab processes and clinical decision quality also matter.
The “success rate” that matters
Not all success rates mean the same thing. The most meaningful outcomes are typically live birth rate and cumulative chance across a full plan, not a selective number taken from one step of the cycle.
What can make success rates look higher
- Reporting per embryo transfer instead of per started cycle.
- Mixing donor egg outcomes with own-egg outcomes without clear labeling.
- Excluding poor-prognosis cases from the denominator or reporting only “selected patients”.
- Using “clinical pregnancy” instead of ongoing pregnancy or live birth.
- Not separating fresh vs frozen transfers or not stating the time window.
How Santaan focuses on better decisions
- We use advanced diagnostics and careful protocol selection to reduce trial-and-error.
- Embryology and clinical decisions are aligned to the couple’s diagnosis, not a one-size-fits-all template.
- Our care model emphasizes empathy and continuity because adherence and stress load affect outcomes.
- Santaan Lab is our active R&D unit that helps improve process consistency and decision quality.
What to ask when a clinic advertises a success percentage
Ask: which metric?
Clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, or live birth? Ask them to define it in one line.
Ask: what is the denominator?
Per started cycle, per retrieval, per transfer, or per embryo? This changes the number.
Ask: what cohort?
Own eggs vs donor eggs, fresh vs frozen, PGT vs non-PGT, and age distribution.
Ask: what timeframe?
Which years? How many cycles/transfers? Small samples can look artificially high.
This page is educational. It is not a guarantee of outcome. Individual success varies based on age, diagnosis, ovarian reserve, sperm factors and other clinical considerations.
Success rate FAQs
Are success rates the same as live birth rates?▾
Not always. A success rate can mean different things (clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, or live birth). This page should clearly define the metric used once final numbers are approved.
Can you publish success rates by diagnosis?▾
Yes. Many clinics publish segmented success rates (PCOS, tubal factor, male factor, endometriosis) as long as the cohort size is sufficient and the methodology is clearly stated.
Does PGT-A improve outcomes?▾
PGT-A can reduce transfers of aneuploid embryos and may improve time-to-pregnancy in select cohorts, but it is not right for everyone. The decision should be individualized.