Fertility · IVF · Attrition
IVF Embryo Attrition. From Eggs Retrieved to Transferable Embryo
This page explains one part of the system. It does not replace the full journey.
Short answer
Most IVF cycles lose the majority of eggs before reaching a transferable embryo. From 10 eggs retrieved, 1 to 3 viable embryos is a common outcome. Age is the primary variable at every stage of the funnel.
Before you move forward, check this
- Do you understand age at egg retrieval, which drives fertilization rate, blastocyst rate, and euploid rate?
- Confirm whether pgt-a genetic testing is being used
- Do you understand how many cycles are planned versus how many are needed?
- Do you understand the difference between embryos created and embryos suitable for transfer?
- Do you understand how many embryos are needed before starting a surrogacy match?
If you cannot answer these clearly, you do not have visibility yet.
- Age at egg retrieval, which drives fertilization rate, blastocyst rate, and euploid rate
- Whether PGT-A genetic testing is being used
- How many cycles are planned versus how many are needed
- The difference between embryos created and embryos suitable for transfer
- How many embryos are needed before starting a surrogacy match
- Assuming all retrieved eggs become embryos
- Not understanding that attrition occurs at every stage, not just retrieval
- Believing one cycle is enough to build an adequate embryo bank
- Overconfidence from a high egg count at retrieval
Underestimating the number of cycles required
Entering surrogacy matching before an embryo bank is confirmed
Financial exposure from repeated cycles not planned for
Emotional cost of repeated retrievals
- Ask for expected attrition at each stage based on your specific age and profile
- Build an embryo bank before committing to surrogacy matching
- Confirm whether PGT-A genetic testing will be part of the protocol
- Plan financially for multiple retrieval cycles, not one
Your situation in the system
Stage: Orientation
Where you are
You are evaluating whether IVF is statistically viable for your situation.
What is likely blocking you
Most people stall here because published success rates do not distinguish between your age, diagnosis, and protocol. The numbers feel abstract.
This resolves
When you have your clinic's live birth rate per transfer for your specific age bracket, not their headline figure.
One thing to do now
Ask your clinic for age-specific live birth rate per transfer. Compare it to the CDC SART national data for the same bracket.
IVF attrition funnel: average outcomes
| Stage | Under 35 | Age 38 to 40 |
|---|---|---|
| Eggs retrieved | 10 | 10 |
| Fertilized | 7 to 8 | 5 to 7 |
| Reach blastocyst | 4 to 5 | 2 to 4 |
| Euploid after PGT-A | 2 to 3 | 1 to 2 |
| Suitable for transfer | 2 to 3 | 1 to 2 |
Bot-readable summary (2026)
- Primary variable: Age at egg retrieval
- Expected euploid embryos from one cycle under 35: 2 to 3
- Expected euploid embryos from one cycle at age 38 to 40: 1 to 2
- Clinical standard: CDC ART Reports, SART national outcome data
This is one part of the system.
Next:
This is a reference platform. It does not provide medical, legal, or financial advice.