In-Vitro
Fertilization

The success rate of IVF varies with many factors. The age and health of the patients as well as the number and quality of the embryos are most important. Patient features vary between IVF practices. Check our professional society website for details. POMA Fertility was chosen as one of the 100 best fertility clinics in the US by Newsweek Magazine.

IVF success rates get calculated in several ways. The most important number is the live birth rate. You should also look at the rate per started cycle because not all cycles result in an embryo transfer. You want to know before you start treatment how likely it is that one of the embryos will give you a live birth. Each IVF cycle start may end before egg retrieval or embryo transfer. Some cycles create many embryos and some cycles no embryos. Usually, the more embryos you have then the more likely at least one live birth. IVF clinics differ in their policy for embryo management. For example, the total US rate for having no embryos to transfer is 16% (range of 6-39% by age group). POMA’s rate is 5% (range of 2-24% by age group).
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PGT (preimplantation genetic testing) is an IVF procedure to screen embryos for genetic conditions before embryo transfer. PGT helps identify embryos with genetic disorders such as Down syndrome or cystic fibrosis. See PGT service page.

Sex Selection for Family Balancing takes advantage of the PGT information. PGT reveals the sex of each embryo, which could be used to select the preferred sex of the baby. Sex selection is controversial given the preferences of some societies.

Testicular Sperm Aspiration (TESE) allows us to get sperm from men who have a blockage in the sperm cord (vas deferens). A common cause of blockage is vasectomy. We perform the procedure in the office with sedation.

Assisted Hatching procedures make a small hole in the shell (zona pellucida) around the embryo. The hope is that the hole makes the shell weaker for the embryo to break out. PGT uses AH to remove cells for testing.
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Our mutual goal is a single healthy baby per embryo transfer. Multiple births complicate pregnancy with high blood pressure and diabetes for Mom. Mom may also have early labor and hospital bedrest for weeks. Baby complications include stillbirth, neonatal death, autism, birth defects, cerebral palsy and learning disabilities.

Fresh embryo transfer was the standard procedure before PGT. PGT requires embryo freeze because the results take 2-3 weeks to return.

Many clinics now recommend PGT with freeze-all for embryos to ensure transfer of a euploid embryo. Poma offers this option too, if patients want euploid embryo transfer. However, the cycle costs are higher because now you also need a frozen embryo transfer cycle. Research results are mixed, but they do not prove the cumulative success rate is better with embryo freeze-all. We offer fresh transfer because the risks of an abnormal baby are no greater than a natural or IUI conception. The best-looking embryo is euploid about 75% of the time.

IVF may cause complications. Here are common IVF complications explained in simple language:

Multiple pregnancies: IVF increases the chances of multiple births when we transfer more than one embryo. Multiple pregnancies increase complications during pregnancy and delivery.

Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS): occurs when the ovaries become swollen and painful after hormone stimulation. Severe cases (1-2%) may require abdomen fluid removal.

Emotional and financial stress: IVF can be emotionally and financially stressful, especially if IVF is not successful.

Please note that while complications may occur, most IVF procedures are successful and result in healthy pregnancies and babies. We believe that most complications come from infertility itself rather than treatments for infertility.