IVF clinic in San Diego, CA. Live-birth success by patient age (own eggs, per intended egg retrieval) from the CDC's national ART registry (2021).
At Fertility Specialists Medical Group, reported live birth per intended egg retrieval with own eggs runs about 0.0% for patients under 35 — below the US national average of 46.0% for that age band, easing to about 9.4% by the >40 band. These are clinic-reported CDC figures and reflect the clinic's patient mix as much as its laboratory — a clinic that treats more older or complex patients will show a lower headline rate even with excellent care.
What this means in practice: a success rate is per attempt, not a guarantee. At an under-35 rate near 0.0%, roughly two egg retrievals are typically needed for a strong cumulative chance of a baby; at the older-age rate near 9.4%, many more — which is why cost per baby (cycle price multiplied by the cycles you are likely to need) is the honest figure to compare, not the headline percentage.
A US IVF cycle typically costs €15,000-25,000. Because own-egg success falls steeply with age, for patients over about 38 the cost per baby often favours donor-egg treatment in the EU, where live birth holds near 48% per transfer at any recipient age and a cycle costs €4,600-6,500 (Czechia, Greece, Spain). Model your own case in the cost-per-baby calculator.
This clinic's pattern: relatively stable performance across ages (0.0% under 35 to 9.4% by >40). Still, US cycle costs at €15,000–25,000 mean that for many patients over 40, EU donor eggs at ~48% per transfer and €4,600–6,500/cycle yield a lower cost per baby. Model your case in the cost-per-baby calculator.
IVF success is driven mainly by maternal age and egg type, not by the country you choose. The public registries put own-egg live birth at roughly:
Fertility Specialists Medical Group in San Diego, CA, under medical director Wendy B. Shelly, MD, reports live-birth outcomes to the CDC's National ART Surveillance System. The age-banded rates below are specific to this clinic's own-egg cycles, not national figures.
| Patient age | Fertility Specialists Medical Group | US national avg |
|---|---|---|
| 35-37 | 38.3% | 36.0% |
| >40 | 9.4% | 12.9% |
Fertility Specialists Medical Group — measured CDC profile: in patients 35-37 it reports 38.3% live births (2.3 pts above the US average of 36.0%); in patients >40 it reports 9.4% live births (3.5 pts below the US average of 12.9%). Across the 2 age bands with a national benchmark it lands above the US average in 1 (mean deviation -0.6 pts). Reported success falls roughly 75% from 35-37 to >40 at this clinic — the steep age gradient common to every US programme, set by egg biology rather than the lab. Figures are clinic-reported live births per intended egg retrieval (own eggs) and reflect each clinic's patient mix.
Source: CDC National ART Surveillance System, 2021 final data (per intended egg retrieval, own eggs). Figures are clinic-reported; "success" depends on patient mix.
The success rates, cost ranges and legal-eligibility rules on this page are compiled from public clinical registries and national guidelines — not opinion. They are planning estimates and do not replace advice from a licensed fertility specialist.
Reviewed against: HFEA (UK), SART/CDC (US), ESHRE/EIM (EU) and NICE CG156.
Compiled and fact-checked by the BabyPath editorial team against the primary sources above · last reviewed 2026-06-12 · BabyPath is an independent cross-border comparison platform, not a clinic. Always consult a licensed clinician before starting treatment.
We compare IVF success rates, prices and laws across 12 countries — using real CDC, HFEA and ESHRE data — to show your true cost per baby, not per cycle. Donor eggs, age 40+, single or same-sex: we show where it's affordable and legal for you.
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