Patients Should Consider Success Rates and Other Factors When Choosing a Fertility Clinic

Main Category: Fertility
Article Date: 13 Feb 2005 - 9:00 PDT


Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released the 2002 Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) clinic success rate. The 2002 report provides the most current data on the pregnancy success rates of ART clinics in the United States. This report revealed that the age of the woman is a significant determining factor in achieving pregnancy. Younger women who used ART technology had a greater chance of a live birth with her own eggs. The report also stated that in 2002, 45,000 babies were born in the U.S. with the help of ART - a 10 percent increase over 2001.

The CDC report is a useful resource, providing detailed statistics on individual clinic's success rates. However, choosing a fertility clinic should not be based solely on success rates. Many factors contribute to the success of an ART procedure. Some are related to the training and experience of the ART clinic and laboratory professionals and the quality of service they provide. Some clinics may be may be more willing to accept patients with low chances of success or may specialize in different ART treatments that attract particular types of patient. These and other factors need to be considered when interpreting clinic data from this year's CDC report.

The AFA advises individuals or couples seeking ART treatment to carefully do their homework, compare fertility clinic data thoroughly, and find the one that is the best fit for you. By asking the right questions and using many different sources for information, you can get the best possible chance of having your baby and building a family.

For more information on choosing a fertility clinic, The AFA has prepared a fact sheet entitled, "Special Considerations in Choosing an IVF Practice," which is available under the "Fertility" link at http://www.TheAFA.org,

Since its founding, The American Fertility Association has advised its members and the public at large that both women and men's reproductive abilities diminish sooner than we think. The AFA believes that education is the first line of defense in preserving one's fertility, and is committed to disseminating the best medical and alternative options available to those who seek fertility facts, emotional support, or physician referrals. For more information, visit our web site at www.TheAFA.org or contact us at 888-317-9777.

THE AMERICAN FERTILITY ASSOCIATION (AFA) is a national organization dedicated to educating, supporting and advocating for men and women concerned with reproductive health, fertility preservation, infertility and all forms of family building. Visit www.TheAFA.org or call 888-917-3777 for more information and support.

Statement by Pamela Madsen, Executive Director of The American Fertility Association.

THE AMERICAN FERTILITY ASSOCIATION

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