IVF Success Depends on Age
Most couples who are planning to undergo IVF, also known as in vitro fertilization, will want to do anything possible to increase their odds of success. The rates for IVF success vary widely depending upon the age of the woman, with a 41 percent chance for success if the woman is under 34 and only a 5 percent chance for success if the woman is 43 or 44. However, there are a few things couples can do to increase their odds of conceiving.
1) Choose the Right Facility
Couples should look for a fertility clinic that has experience with IVF. Couples should make sure to ask the specialists what experience they have and what their success rates are. However, success rates for a clinic can vary depending upon the age of the women and the number of embryos that are transferred during IVF procedures. The staff at the clinic should be friendly and make the couple feel comfortable, while also remaining professional and knowledgeable.
2) Have the Right Number of Eggs Retrieved
A study published in the journal of Human Reproduction has shown that 15 is the ideal number of eggs to be collected during egg retrieval. Researchers collected data from over 400,000 women during the time between 2006 and 2007. Results from the study showed that the chances for a live birth rose as women had an increased number of eggs retrieved during one cycle. The greatest chance for a live birth occurred when a woman had about 15 eggs retrieved; however, the rates for a live birth leveled off after that. The study also showed that when 20 or more eggs are retrieved, it increases the chance for the woman having OHSS, also known as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. OHSS can cause stomach pain, swelling, nausea, and in rare cases, life-threatening side effects. Conclusions from the study show that 15 is the number doctor’s should aim for during egg retrieval.
3) Practice Healthy Lifestyle Habits
It is important for a couple who will be undergoing IVF to start living a healthy lifestyle well before the procedure is done. Women should aim for a BMI (body mass index) below 31, so it is important to eat healthy and exercise often. Both men and women should limit their caffeine intake, stop smoking and using alcohol. Women should start taking a multivitamin, especially one that contains folic acid.