26 July 2010
NEW official figures show once again the Lister Fertility Clinic has one of the best success rates in the country for treating couples with infertility problems.
Statistics compiled by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority show in every category the clinic’s IVF success rates were consistent with or above the national average in 2008.
Women under 35 undergoing IVF treatment using their own eggs and fresh embryos had around a 45 per cent chance of having a baby – significantly higher than the national average of 32 per cent.
Older women were also more likely to be successful – almost 17 per cent of women aged 40 to 42 had a baby after one IVF treatment compared with the national average of 11 per cent, according to the statistics.
The Lister Fertility Clinic, which offers private treatment, prides itself on helping couples with the most difficult fertility problems to resolve.
It also leads the way in the drive to reduce the number of multiple births, which are linked to a higher risk of complications for both mother and baby, by putting back only a single embryo in as many cases as possible - in line with HFEA advice.
The latest figures bear this out. The clinic has a lower proportion of twins and triplets born than the national average.
It also exceeds the HFEA target set in 2009 that 76 per cent of births should be single babies – the unit’s rate is over 80 per cent.
Dr Sam Abdalla, clinical director, said: “In a patient with a good ovarian reserve, we tend to advise she has one embryo put back rather than two.
“This is the most responsible and ethical approach because it reduces the risk of having twins and triplets which can lead to complications.
“A woman aged 33 who has one blastocyst embryo (an embryo that has developed for five or six days after fertilisation) put back has a 50 per cent chance of having a baby which is a fantastic result and also better for the mother and baby.”
For information about IVF treatment visit The Lister Fertility Clinic website and identify your chances of pregnancy using the pregnancy calculator.