IVF or in vitro fertilization remains one of the more effective solutions to infertility. The numbers of successful births from IVF have steadily grown in the last decade and if you and your loved one are one of the almost 8% of American couples who are afflicted by infertility then this might be a real option for you. However, it is still an expensive procedure, costing upwards of $12,000 per cycle and often requiring multiple cycles. If you are having a tough time making a decision, then there are some common trends that you can use to make this decision easier for you.

IVF procedures are still the predominant procedure in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) applications. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), IVF accounts for over 99% of the ART procedures done in 2007. ZIFT is a far second with only about 0.1% and GIFT and combinations of the procedures with even less of that.

IVF also has the highest success rate for retrieval over the other procedures (CDC ART report 2007), averaging around 33% of the IVF with or without ICSI cycles resulting in live births. ZIFT follows with 28% and GIFT and other procedures average around 22%.

According to the Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) website, the numbers for IVF success rates have risen steadily since 2005 where success rates for treatments done on patients under 35 years of age afflicted with any kind of infertility were at an average of about 37% of about 37 thousand cycles resulted in live births. In 2006 the numbers were reported to be at almost 39%. These numbers continue to grow to 40% of about 38 thousand cycles in 2007 and 41% of almost 40 thousand cycles in 2008.

Another trend that you should consider when planning for IVF is that in the use of non-donor embryos, i.e. eggs from you or your spouse’s womb, age becomes a very important factor. The SART website charts that in the nationwide statistics, women above the ages of 35 will have a significantly lower chance of giving birth from IVF. Every two year span above the 35 year old mark will see an almost 10% drop in success rate. From the 41%, 35-37 year old women will only get 31%, 38-40 around 22%, and 41-42 will drop to 12%. Using donor eggs (eggs from another female), however has been shown to have a consistent success rate despite the age of the patient according to both the CDC and SART. SART has reported that the use of fresh donor eggs has had an average success rate of about 53 to 54%, from 52% of about 9,000 patients in 2005 to 55% of about 10,000 patients in 2008. Take this into account if you are getting older as your chances of success in using your own eggs are greatly reduced.

One last reminder to consider when planning for your potential IVF treatment: never go by the numbers alone. Success rates are commonly used as comparison points for clinics providing IVF. Although the CDC has no qualms with this, their 2007 ART report warns that numbers alone can give a false impression. Some clinics get lower success rates due to the fact that they take on more patients, even those with a lower chance of a successful birth (like older patient or patients with difficult cases of infertility). The CDC advises to use the reports and rates in tandem with actual contact with the clinics. Talking to them about the reports and numbers can be very helpful.

IVF is getting better numbers as time goes by. As the technology and skills to perform the procedures get better, the statistics get better as well. So if you are a victim of infertility, try looking into IVF. Despite the price, the numbers are on its side and it may be the option for you.