CARE CONNECT · CHINA-IVF

How to Read IVF Success Rates Before You Decide

“What is the success rate” is the most common question — and the easiest to be misled by. The same center can report figures that differ by double, depending on how they count. Understanding the counting basis is worth more than memorizing any percentage.

Three counting bases

Live birth per cycle started: counts from stimulation onward, including cancelled cycles — the most conservative and most honest figure
Per embryo transfer: counts only cycles that reached transfer, so figures run higher; clinical-pregnancy rates run higher than live-birth rates again
Cumulative live birth: the chance that one egg retrieval (including frozen embryos) eventually leads to a live birth — closest to “my total chance from one attempt”

When comparing institutions, make sure both use the same basis and the same age band.

Why age bands matter

Live-birth rates under 35 and over 40 can differ several-fold. An all-ages “overall success rate” tells an individual almost nothing. Ask hospitals for figures in your age band with comparable diagnoses.

Why we do not quote one number

Outcomes depend on age, diagnosis and protocol, and no institution should promise results. Our approach: we coordinate a discussion with the hospital about data for comparable ages and cases, confirm the counting basis, and let you judge.

HFEA: understanding success rates ↗

Questions to take to the hospital

For my age band and similar diagnoses, what is the live-birth rate per cycle started?
Are your figures per transfer or per cycle started? Do they include frozen cycles?
Given my ovarian reserve, what cumulative live-birth range is realistic from one retrieval?

FAQ

Do Chinese hospitals publish success-rate data?

Major centers report age-banded data in academic publications and internal materials, with varying bases. Asking directly for your age band and confirming the basis is more reliable than web searches.

A website says a hospital has a 70% success rate — credible?

Ask three things first: which basis (per transfer? clinical pregnancy?), which age band, and the data source. Missing any one, the number cannot be used for comparison.

Is the success rate the most important criterion?

One of several. Weigh it with laboratory licensing, specialty depth for your case, medical safety and total budget. For complex cases, having the right specialty often matters more than a percentage point or two.