A recent landmark study has revealed that between 10 and 13 million babies have been born through in vitro fertilisation (IVF) since its inception in 1978, which is more than half of Australia’s current population. This analysis, conducted by Professor Georgina Chambers and her team at the University of New South Wales, highlights a notable increase in IVF births since the 2018 cut-off for the study’s data collection.
Professor Chambers noted that preliminary global estimates suggest an additional three to four million IVF babies were born following the study’s end date, bringing the total projected number of IVF births by 2024 to between 13 and 17 million. Australia has played a significant role in the history of IVF, being the third country to successfully deliver an IVF baby in 1983 and the first to establish a dedicated IVF registry. The data collected here and in New Zealand is considered among the most comprehensive worldwide.
The current statistics indicate that one in every 16 babies born in Australia is conceived through IVF, with this rate rising to one in 10 for women aged over 35. The study, published in the journal Fertility and Sterility, also points to the increasing accessibility of IVF in high-income nations like Australia, primarily due to governmental support and regulation.
Despite the high costs and complexities associated with IVF procedures, which require skilled professionals and advanced technology, Australia’s equitable funding has enhanced access to these services. Professor David Adamson, Chair of the International Committee Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ICMART) and a contributor to the research, emphasised that in places lacking public funding, IVF remains largely out of reach for many.
Historically, IVF procedures often resulted in multiple births due to the transfer of multiple embryos to improve the chances of successful pregnancies. However, advancements in embryo freezing techniques have led to a significant shift. Now, most IVF cycles involve the transfer of a single embryo, a practice that enhances safety for both mother and baby without lowering success rates. Australia has excelled in this regard, with more than 93% of IVF cycles consisting of single embryo transfers, resulting in a multiple birth rate of less than 3%. Furthermore, the majority of IVF babies in Australia now are conceived from frozen embryos, demonstrating a progressive approach to fertility treatments.