Early pregnancy loss in in vitro fertilization (IVF) is a positive predictor of subsequent IVF success.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the significance of biochemical pregnancy losses and clinical spontaneous abortion (SAB) on outcomes of future IVF cycles.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Academic IVF program.

PATIENT(S): Women with a history of unsuccessful IVF attempts undergoing IVF.

INTERVENTION(S): None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Clinical pregnancy rate.

RESULT(S): Patients with an early pregnancy loss had a greater ongoing clinical pregnancy rate in the immediate next cycle when compared with those women who had a negative pregnancy test (37.3% vs. 27.3%). Patients with a history of a biochemical pregnancy or a clinical spontaneous abortion had an ongoing clinical pregnancy rate in the next cycle of 38.4% and 42.3%, respectively, compared with 27.3% in women who had a history of a negative pregnancy test. The cumulative pregnancy rate after the first IVF attempt was 54.1% in patients with a previous biochemical pregnancy loss, 61.4% in those with a previous clinical SAB, and 46.5% in women with a previous negative pregnancy test.

CONCLUSION(S): Women who experience an early pregnancy loss after IVF have a greater likelihood of success in subsequent IVF cycles when compared with patients who fail to conceive.