More women having babies as a result of infertility services

The number of babies born as a result of assisted reproductive technology continues to climb, as about 15% of American women of childbearing age seek infertility services.

In 2000, more than 35,000 babies were conceived as a result of the technology -- mostly in-vitro fertilization -- according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s sixth annual assisted-reproductive technology report. That 25.2% success rate is slightly ahead of the previous year and a significant improvement over the less than 20% success rate in 1995, the first year of the CDC report.

A woman’s age is among the most important factors in the success of these procedures. Overall, 33% of women under 35 using their own eggs had a baby, compared with a 4% success rate in women over 42. Beyond age 40, though, women who use donor eggs have an equally high success rate, says Dr. Maurizio Macaluso, a senior research scientist in the CDC’s reproductive health program.

The newly released report provides detailed information, including success rates, from 383 fertility clinics across the country. But Macaluso cautions against basing the choice of a clinic on these numbers alone.

“Look at the background information in this report as well ... and have a detailed discussion with more than one [assisted reproductive technology] provider,” Macaluso says.