Why SDFC?

Pregnancy & IVF Success Rates

SDFC is dedicated to providing successful outcomes for patients in California, the United States and worldwide.

One of the most frequently asked questions by patients is “What is my chance of getting pregnant?" That question is quickly followed by “What are your lab’s pregnancy success rates?” SDFC has consistently demonstrated and reported superior pregnancy success rates. And more importantly SDFC has demonstrated superior live birth rate per transfer.

While infertility statistics are meaningful, they cannot measure the satisfaction of all of our patients, whatever the outcome of their infertility treatment. Our practice is put to the test daily earning the continuing trust and respect of our patients and our colleagues. We are proud of our record and the enduring relationships we have with the many individuals who have passed through our doors.

We can help you evaluate all of your options, establish realistic expectations, and follow an appropriate course of infertility treatment, which might include promising new therapies. The field of infertility is moving forward at an astonishing pace, and through research we keep our practice firmly in the forefront of these advances.

SDFC Statistics & Success Rates

HOW SUCCESS RATES ARE DETERMINED

We are proud of our IVF success rates at SDFC. When calculating statistics, two numbers go into the calculation, a numerator and a denominator. You divide the numerator by the denominator and voila, you get a success rate. The most important part is which numbers you choose to be the numerator and the denominator. As with any data, there are multiple ways to choose these important numbers.

When evaluating success rates, it is important to understand if the number is calculated per transfer (the denominator is number of transfers; a smaller number, more accurate reflection of true success), or per cycle start (the denominator is number of cycles that began; larger number, less accurate reflection of true success because it includes cycles when the plan is to freeze all embryos and cycles that are cancelled in the best interest of the patient). Statistics calculated per cycle start will always look poorer because the denominator is larger.

We counsel patients and discuss our success in terms of pregnancies and live births per transfer. Because protocols are constantly changing and improving, we believe that rates per transfer most accurately reflect the current performance of a program. Traditionally, the Society of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (SART) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) report rates per cycle start.

HOW DO PATIENT POPULATION AND PATIENT CHOICES IMPACT SUCCESS RATES?

At SDFC, we believe giving all patients access to care and choices in their treatment. We love to help patients with seemingly low chances, such as those with uterine factor or diminished ovarian reserve. Our experienced physicians counsel patients with a recommended treatment plan that will give them a healthy baby. However, we also know that patients may desire to try non-recommended treatment plans, based on personal, moral or financial reasons. For example, if a patient with uterine factor wants to try for an embryo transfer into herself before trying with a surrogate, we will support that wish. Or, a patient with low ovarian reserve who wishes to attempt an egg retrieval, we will honor that desire, even though it may lead to a cancelled cycle or one with no healthy embryos. The bottom line is, SDFC supports patients in their wishes and want them to feel comfortable with each step in their journey. This can impact success, but SDFC believes that earning our patient’s trust is more important than how the numbers translate to statistics.

WHY DOESN’T EVERY CYCLE THAT BEGINS HAVE A TRANSFER?

Our physicians believe in giving our patients the best chances possible. What that means is, if the lining and hormones for a patient or surrogate are not ideal, our physicians may recommend stopping and starting over so that next time, we provide the best possible environment for a healthy pregnancy to occur. However, when SART analyzes data per cycle start, those first attempts are included, which in turn, lowers the overall number. This is called a cancelled cycle.

WHY DOES THE ONGOING CLINICAL PREGNANCY REPORTED BY SDFC NOT MATCH LIVE BIRTH RATE?

Unfortunately, miscarriage is a natural and not uncommon result of some pregnancies. Typically, it is the body’s way to prevent an unhealthy pregnancy or baby from being born. Early pregnancy loss can happen early in the pregnancy, and less frequently, but still possibly, after patients have graduated from our clinic. Pregnancy loss accounts for the difference between initial pregnancy rate and live birth rate. Our physicians will discuss our Ongoing Pregnancy rate, which reflect the most current information that we have.

WHEN LOOKING ONLINE AT SART DATA, WHAT DOES IMPLANTATION RATE MEAN?

The implantation rate equals the number of fetal heartbeats detected by ultrasound divided by the number of embryos transferred. There are no hard and fast rules as to whether or not the implantation rate is always higher, equal to or lower than the live birth rate so this number can be misleading.

Example of an implantation rate that is lower than the live birth rate:
The implantation rate could be 50% for a patient who transferred 2 embryos and had one fetal heartbeat. If the cycle led to a live birth, the live birth rate would be 100%.

Example of an implantation rate that is equal to the live birth rate:
One embryo transferred, one fetal heartbeat detected = 100% implantation rate. One live birth = 100% livebirth rate.

Example of an implantation rate that exceeds the live birth rate:
One embryo transferred, one fetal heartbeat detected = 100% implantation rate. Pregnancy miscarried = 0% livebirth rate.

Click here to see our SART statistics for new patients using their own eggs.

Click here to see our SART statistics for new patients using donor eggs and a gestational carrier.

If you have questions about the above explanation, or our success rates, please do not hesitate to reach out at info@sdfertility.com.

Share