One in five women conceive naturally after giving birth with fertility treatment

One in five women who underwent fertility treatment such as IVF to conceive their first child are likely to get pregnant naturally in the future, researchers have found.

The first-of-its-kind research, conducted by the University College London (UCL) and published in the scientific journal Human Reproduction, analysed data from 11 studies of over 5,000 women around the world between 1980 and 2021, to evaluate how common it is to get pregnant naturally after having a baby conceived by fertility treatment.

It found that at least one in five women conceived naturally after having had a baby using fertility treatment such as IVF mostly within three years. This figure remained unchanged, even when taking into account the different types and outcome of fertility treatment – alongside length of follow up.

Infertility is defined by the failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse, and it is estimated to affect one in seven heterosexual couples.

However, not all women seeking and undergoing fertility treatment are absolutely or permanently infertile. Half of couples who struggle to conceive naturally in the first year of trying will go on to do so in the second year.

Although it is typically considered ‘rare’ for a woman to get pregnant naturally if she has previously had fertility treatment, the researchers highlighted that this is not an unusual event.

Lead author, Dr Annette Thwaites from the UCL EGA Institute for Women’s Health, said: “Our findings suggest that natural pregnancy after having a baby by IVF is far from rare.

“This is in contrast with widely held views – by women and health professionals – and those commonly expressed in the media, that it is a highly unlikely event.”

The team consider the findings to be particularly important, as many women may not realise that they could conceive naturally following fertility treatment.

This, experts say, could lead to them becoming pregnant again quickly or when they are not ready ready which could be problematic for both the health of the mother and child.

“Knowing what is possible would empower women to plan their families and make informed choices regarding further fertility treatment and/or contraception,” added Thwaites.

Patient stories

Shema Tariq, a doctor and academic from London, was diagnosed with low ovarian reserve and told that her chances of conceiving without IVF were almost zero. She now has two children aged three and four.

“It took six rounds of IVF to conceive our son, who was born in 2018,” she said.

“My GP briefly mentioned contraception to me after he was born, but we both laughed and agreed that it wasn’t relevant. It never occurred to me that I might get pregnant, despite being a sexual health doctor.  I was 43 and had been told that my chances of conceiving naturally were less than one per cent.

“Eight months later I was unexpectedly, and naturally, pregnant with our daughter. She has been the most wonderful surprise, but when we first found out I felt overwhelmed and unprepared for another pregnancy. If I’d known that one in five women conceive naturally after IVF I’d have used contraception until I was ready both emotionally and physically.”

After being diagnosed with endometriosis in her 20s, Sally Pearse was told by healthcare specialists that it was almost impossible that she’d ever conceive naturally.

Before having her first child she was told by a gynaecologist that due to endometriosis her only way to conceive was through IVF.

“After the birth of my first child though IVF, I met with the IVF consultant and asked if I may conceive naturally now I had had a successful pregnancy. I was told I had a one per cent chance of conceiving naturally so started plans for IVF again,” Sally explained.

“The next month I conceived naturally and went on to have my second child.

“I was not given a reason for the one per cent chance and feel that even experts in their role get these things wrong. If I hadn’t wanted another child I would have been shocked rather than pleasantly surprised.”