IVF clinic success rates are often the deciding factor when future parents choose with whom to place their trust, time, and financial resources. However, IVF success rates are defined in several different ways, and not every clinic reports them in the same manner.
This guide helps you understand how success rates are calculated and compare the most successful IVF clinics in the U.S.
What does success mean in IVF?
In the U.S., fertility clinics report their results to organizations such as the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
These organizations then publish annual reports to provide prospective parents with transparent and standardized data, enabling them to compare IVF clinics more reliably.
To determine the actual success rates, you should understand the following terms:
Live birth vs. clinical pregnancy vs. positive test
Per intended retrieval, per actual retrieval, and per transfer
Cumulative success rates
Singleton live birth rates
Live birth vs. clinical pregnancy vs. positive test
Success in IVF can be defined according to three critical milestones:
Positive pregnancy test: Detects a rise in the hCG hormone and indicates a biochemical pregnancy. While encouraging, many of these pregnancies don’t progress further.
Clinical pregnancy: Confirmed by ultrasound when a heartbeat is detected, usually after 6–7 weeks. Although more promising than a positive pregnancy test, there is still a risk of miscarriage.
Live birth: Refers to the delivery of a living baby. It is a gold standard used by the CDC and SART since it reflects the outcomes families hope for.
Source: Isaac Taylor
Per intended retrieval, per actual retrieval, and per transfer
For patients using their own eggs, the CDC tracks IVF cycles using three different denominators, depending on how far the cycle progresses:
Intended retrieval: When ovarian stimulation begins with the goal of retrieving eggs. It includes everyone who started, even if the cycle was canceled.
Actual retrieval: Cycles where at least one egg was retrieved, whether or not embryos developed or were transferred.
Transfer: Cycles where an embryo was transferred to the uterus of the mother or a gestational carrier.
IVF clinic success rates for patients using donor eggs or embryos are also shown per transfer.
Because each denominator refers to a different stage of the IVF process, the group of patients included gets smaller the further you go. By the time you only count those who reached an embryo transfer, you’ve already removed people whose cycles were canceled, whose eggs didn’t fertilize, or who had no embryos suitable for transfer.
That means the per-transfer rate almost always appears higher because it’s only calculated for the best-case group that made it that far.
Cumulative success rates
The CDC calculates cumulative IVF success rates, which represent the chance of live birth from all embryo transfers that occur within one year of an egg retrieval.
Instead of only showing the outcome of the first transfer, the cumulative CDC IVF clinic's success rates reflect the real journey most patients take, typically using multiple embryos from a single stimulation cycle until either a live birth is achieved or no embryos remain.
This measure is more meaningful for future parents because it answers a practical question: If you go through one egg retrieval, what are your overall chances of taking home a baby?
Cumulative success rates also highlight the importance of embryo freezing (cryopreservation). Many families rely on frozen embryo transfers (FETs), and the ability to safely thaw and transfer embryos across multiple attempts increases the total likelihood of success from a single retrieval.
Embryo freezing adds more advantages that can increase IVF success:
Gives the body time to recover: Ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval can be physically taxing. Freezing allows a pause before transfer, so there is time to reset hormone levels.
Allows time to improve uterine readiness: An FET can be scheduled when the uterine lining is optimally prepared, often with controlled hormone support, which improves chances of implantation.
Enables embryo screening: Once embryos are 5–6 days old, they can undergo preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) and then be cryopreserved until the results arrive. PGT can help identify embryos most likely to implant successfully and potentially lead to a healthy pregnancy.
Singleton live birth rates
A singleton live birth (one healthy baby born at a time) is the safest outcome for both parent and child.
For the mother, carrying multiples increases risks of:
Preeclampsia
Hemorrhage
Preterm delivery
Longer postpartum recovery for the mother
Since twins or triplets are far more likely to be born early, they are at a higher risk of being underweight or requiring NICU care.
Before, clinics often used multiple embryo transfers (MET) because transferring two or more embryos at once raised the odds that at least one would implant. Research shows that single embryo transfer (SET) can achieve comparable live birth rates, particularly when high-quality embryos are selected with the aid of preimplantation genetic testing (PGT).
When you compare IVF clinic success rates, look for high singleton live birth rates, low multiple birth rates, and a high proportion of SETs.
How to compare IVF clinics: 4 factors
When choosing the right place for your fertility treatment, you need to look at more than an IVF clinic's success rate. To make an informed decision, compare IVF clinics based on:
Statistics relevant to you
Context of the data
Transparency
Experience
Source: RDNE stock project
1. Compare IVF clinic results based on data relevant to you
IVF outcomes vary widely depending on factors like age or type of treatment. You should understand which statistics apply to your situation, for example:
Age, diagnosis, and treatment history: The data you review should match your age group, fertility diagnosis, and whether this is your first IVF cycle.
Using your own eggs: Look for cumulative success rates per intended retrieval and per transfer to get a realistic view of your overall chances from one stimulation cycle.
Using donor eggs or embryos: Focus on per-transfer success rates, noting that these are not broken down by age, as the age of the egg donor is more relevant than the age of the person carrying the pregnancy.
2. Look at the context for an IVF center's success rate
A clinic’s high success rates may not always tell the whole story. Differences in patient selection, treatment approaches, and other factors can make direct comparisons misleading. Make sure to explore:
Patient and cycle characteristics: Examine the types of patients the clinic treats (e.g., younger vs. older) and the ART procedures performed.
Selective criteria: Some clinics may exclude patients with complex fertility issues, which can inflate reported success rates.
Year-to-year variation: Success rates can fluctuate due to variations in the number of cycles performed and changes in staff or protocols.
3. Value transparency when making IVF clinic comparisons
Transparency is important because it builds trust. Reliable clinics provide clear, detailed information about their protocols, patient outcomes, and the data behind their success rates.
To understand how open the clinic is about its success rates, ask the following questions:
How does the clinic define success rates, and why?
What percentage of cycles were SET vs. MET, and how are these decisions made?
What protocols for embryo freezing, thawing, and selection does it follow?
How often do the lab equipment, training, and procedures get updated?
Source: Cedric Fauntleroy
4. Check how experienced the clinical staff is
The qualifications and experience of physicians, embryologists, and support teams play a crucial role in IVF success.
Highly experienced clinicians and embryologists improve laboratory outcomes and enhance overall patient experience, from cycle planning to embryo transfer. Their skill and judgment can make a huge difference in success rates and patient safety.
Consistency in results can help you gain confidence in the clinic’s processes, protocols, and ability to handle patients with different needs. Clinics with a strong track record over multiple years demonstrate stability and reliability, whereas focusing on a single year's reported results may be misleading, especially for clinics that perform fewer cycles a year.
Additionally, some clinics offer specialized services or focus on specific patient populations, including:
Handling complex infertility cases
Using advanced ART techniques
Offering donor programs
Such services can significantly influence outcomes and may be crucial, depending on your specific circumstances.
Did you know? The Nucleus IVF+ program sets you up with the right clinic for your unique fertility journey. It uses a proprietary quantitative–qualitative model to evaluate partner clinics, combining verified success rates for embryo transfers with professional judgment from reproductive specialists. This dual-lens methodology ensures every clinic that Nucleus partners with demonstrates excellence validated by both empirical data and expert evaluation.
Did you know? 💡 The Nucleus IVF+ program sets you up with the right clinic for your unique fertility journey. It uses a proprietary quantitative–qualitative model to evaluate partner clinics, combining verified success rates for embryo transfers with professional judgment from reproductive specialists. This dual-lens methodology ensures every clinic that Nucleus partners with demonstrates excellence validated by both empirical data and expert evaluation.
How informed embryo selection can improve your IVF success
Choosing which embryo to transfer is one of the most important steps in IVF. An embryology lab will perform embryo grading, a visual assessment of how embryos look under the microscope, to help you and your team pick a high-quality embryo. But standard grading alone can’t reveal whether an embryo carries chromosomal or genetic issues.
Genetic testing in IVF helps identify embryos with the highest chances of healthy development and lowers the risk of failed transfers and miscarriage.
Here’s a quick overview of the different options available:
Test | What it screens for | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
Correct number of chromosomes | Helps identify embryos more likely to implant and reduces miscarriage risk | |
Single inherited genetic condition when parents are known carriers | Prevents passing on genetic disorders like:
| |
Chromosome translocations, inversions, or duplications | Useful when one parent carries a chromosomal rearrangement that could cause miscarriage or developmental issues | |
Evaluates risk for adult-onset and chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease | Provides insight into long-term health and supports embryo selection |
Pro tip!
Deciphering IVF clinic success rates, comparing protocols, and interpreting genetic test results can quickly become overwhelming, especially when you’re already managing the mental, physical, and financial weight of fertility treatment. If you need to alleviate some of the burden, consider Nucleus.
Nucleus IVF+ is an all-in-one fertility program that brings together trusted clinics, advanced genetic testing, and personalized support from start to finish. From matching you with top-performing IVF centers to translating your genetic reports and embryo insights into actionable advice, Nucleus IVF+ simplifies every step so you can focus on your well-being and becoming a parent.
Nucleus IVF+: Where science and medical expertise meet tailored support
Nucleus IVF+ is designed to help you move through IVF with more understanding and expert support that lasts beyond a single cycle.
Here’s how we do it:
Personalized guidance, day or night: Access licensed genetic counselors 24/7 for guidance, clarity, and reassurance at every stage of IVF.
Smarter preparation with Nucleus Preview: Screen for 2,000+ genetic conditions you and your partner could pass on so you can plan the next steps with peace of mind.
Confidence in your clinic choice: Nucleus connects you to a curated network of leading fertility clinics with proven success rates, helping you find trusted specialists and treatment options tailored to your needs.
Help with donor selection: For families using donor eggs, sperm, or embryos, Nucleus IVF+ offers access to an exclusive donor network and helps you find a perfect match based on genetic compatibility and preference.
Advanced embryo insights: Our genetic optimization software helps you go deeper into embryo health potential, compare data, and choose the best options for implantation.
Actionable health insights for parents with Nucleus Health: Understand your own health risks and learn ways to boost longevity and quality of life.
Book a call today to learn how Nucleus can simplify your IVF journey and bring you closer to the family you’ve been dreaming of.
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Featured image source: Jonathan Borba
