The most frequent question couples have in mind when they are contemplating IVF is: “Will it be successful the first time?” It’s a natural desire – after all, IVF is the cutting-edge fertility treatment of today. But the reality is more nuanced. For some, success arrives in the first attempt while for others, it may take more than one cycle due to multiple associated factors, shares Dr Madhulika Singh, Fertility Specialist, Birla Fertility & IVF, Prayagraj.
IVF, or in vitro fertilisation, involves stimulating the ovaries to produce multiple eggs, fertilising them with sperm in a lab, and subsequently implanting the healthiest embryo in the uterus. It's a very scientific and highly controlled process, yet various factors influence the outcome – like a woman's age, eggs and sperm quality, uterine health, and underlying medical conditions.
The success rate in IVF treatment is not universal and it depends on the reproductive health of both the partners. Age also influences it significantly as fertility declines sharply post 35 for women and for men too, there is a gradual reduction in the quantity and quality of sperm post 40. Based on these and other factors, doctors often reassure patients that it is not uncommon if it takes more than one IVF cycle to succeed and should be seen as part of the procedure, rather than an indication of failure.
One of the benefits of contemporary IVF is embryo freezing. If the first transfer fails, couples may not have to go through the stimulation and egg retrieval again. Doctors can tend to the factors responsible for the failure while retaining the potential for success with an existing healthy embryo. This renders later cycles less taxing physically and emotionally.
The important perspective from this: IVF should be seen as a journey rather than a singular event. The timeline can look different for each couple, and every cycle provides learning points that enable physicians to modify protocols and maximise the prospects for success. For couples, knowing this process from the beginning minimises stress and allows them to maintain their focus on the final objective – becoming parents through the help of science and personalised care.
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