How Many IVF Procedures Does It Take to Get Pregnant?

If you’re considering undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF), you’re probably wondering how many IVF procedures it might take to get pregnant. While the exact number differs from person to person, it’s rare for someone to become pregnant after just one or two cycles. 

At Effortless IVF in Fort Worth and Bedford, Texas, our experienced fertility specialists, Dr. Kevin Doody and Dr. Kathleen Doody, provide the following information for IVF procedures. 

What are IVF cycles?

An IVF cycle refers to the complete IVF process from start to finish, which commonly takes four to six weeks. With Effortless IVF, a cycle consists of the following five stages:

1. Egg production in the donor is stimulated via fertility medication.
2. A single stimulation sonogram is performed on the 10th day of the cycle to determine the patient’s trigger day to retrieve the eggs. 
3. Semen is retrieved from a donor or male partner if one is present
4. The eggs and sperm are placed inside the INVOcell device, which is then placed inside the patient’s vagina to develop for five days.
5. The fertility specialists transfer the embryo from the INVOcell device to the woman's uterus.

In contrast, during traditional IVF, step five (the fertilization process) occurs in a laboratory, where an embryologist mixes sperm and eggs, places them in an incubator, and monitors their development for five days before step six (transferring a viable embryo to the uterus). 

The average number of IVF procedures needed

On average, it takes around six IVF cycles to have a successful live birth. One large study found that while cycle one has a 29.5% success rate and cycles two through four have a 20% success rate, the success rate jumps to just over 65% by the sixth cycle. 

In other words, nearly three in 10 women have IVF success with cycle one of their treatment, but nearly seven in 10 women have success by their sixth cycle. Simply put, the more cycles a woman undergoes, the greater the chance a live birth will occur. 

Still, because IVF can be hard on your body, most fertility clinics recommend limiting IVF to three treatment cycles before reassessing your situation and determining what kind of other strategies you may need to undertake. 

Which factors can affect my IVF success rate?

Many factors affect the success rate of IVF procedures, and our fertility specialists review each of them with you in detail before we begin your treatment. The most common factors affecting IVF success rates include:

Older age

The older the woman is, the less likely IVF procedures will be effective. Typically past the age of 45, fertility treatments are much less likely to work. 

Egg and sperm quality

As the significant biological aspect of IVF, if the donor egg or sperm is of low quality, the success rate is lower. 

Successful past pregnancy

If you’ve had a successful pregnancy in the past, then the chances of a successful IVF cycle are much higher.

Healthy lifestyle

A successful IVF cycle hinges on the patient’s healthy lifestyle. You should stop smoking or drinking before IVF, and do your best to reach and maintain a healthy body weight. 

Endometrial or uterine receptivity

IVF may prove unsuccessful if there are receptivity problems with the uterus, like a thin lining. 

Get started with Effortless IVF today

Undergoing IVF can be stressful, but our experienced team is here to help. If you’re considering IVF treatment, call or click online today to schedule an appointment at your nearest Effortless IVF office in Fort Worth or Bedford, Texas.