Couples offered free assisted reproduction treatment have a very high chance of achieving a live birth within 4 years.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the long-term success rate among couples with primary infertility offered unrestricted, free in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments.


METHODS
Historical prospective cohort study.


METHODS
University-based tertiary medical center with unlimited coverage of IVF for couples' first two children.


METHODS
Women aged <35 years, with primary infertility, referred for their first IVF treatment to the Sheba Medical Center IVF unit between 2001 and 2002.


METHODS
Relevant data were obtained from patient files and supplemented by a standardized telephone questionnaire.


METHODS
Pregnancies, live births, adoptions, divorces, and discontinuations of further treatment.


RESULTS
During the 5- to 7-year follow-up period, 95.5% of couples conceived, and 89.6% of couples gave birth to a live infant. Of these couples, 81.3% achieved a live birth within the first 4 years of the follow-up period, and 85.1% within eight treatment cycles. Of the 14 couples (10.4%) who did not give birth to a live infant, five adopted, two divorced, four are still undergoing IVF treatments, and three (1.8%) decided not to become parents.


CONCLUSIONS
Young couples beginning IVF treatment in an environment free of economic hurdles can be reassured that they have an excellent chance (∼ 90%) of achieving a live birth within 4 years. When IVF is provided free of cost, very few couples discontinue treatment before a live birth is achieved.
Lande
Yechezkel
Y
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helen Schneider Hospital for Women, Rabin Medical Center, Petach-Tikva, Israel. y.lande@gmail.com
Seidman
Daniel S
DS
Maman
Ettie
E
Baum
Micha
M
Dor
Jehoshua
J
Hourvitz
Ariel
A
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005249:Fees and Charges; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D050498:Live Birth / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000191:economics*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome