Most people choose a fertility clinic based on three things: location, price, and the number they see on a success rate table. This is understandable. It’s also an incomplete way to make one of the most significant healthcare decisions of your life.
This guide explains what the numbers actually mean, what else matters far more than a percentage, and the specific questions to ask before committing. For context on what treatment involves and what a typical IVF cycle looks like, read our complete IVF guide for South Africa first.
First: What Are Success Rate Statistics Actually Measuring?
| Statistic | What It Means | Why It Can Mislead |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical pregnancy rate | % of transfers with heartbeat on scan | Doesn’t account for miscarriage |
| Ongoing pregnancy rate | % of transfers with ongoing pregnancy at 12 weeks | Better — but still not live birth |
| Live birth rate | % of transfers resulting in live birth | The most clinically meaningful number |
| Live birth per cycle started | % of all initiated cycles including cancelled | Most honest — accounts for poor responders |
| Cumulative live birth rate | % achieving live birth over multiple cycles | Most useful for patients — rarest to publish |
Always ask: is this statistic live birth rate or clinical pregnancy rate? And is it per transfer, per cycle started, or cumulative? The difference can be 20 percentage points — for the same underlying outcomes.
SASREG Accreditation — The Non-Negotiable Starting Point
The Southern African Society of Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecological Endoscopy (SASREG) accredits fertility clinics in South Africa. SASREG accreditation means the clinic operates to defined clinical and laboratory standards and participates in outcome reporting. Any clinic you consider must be SASREG-accredited. This is not optional. The Fertility Solutions clinic directory lists accredited centres.
What Actually Predicts Clinic Quality
1. Embryology laboratory standards
The embryology laboratory is the heart of an IVF clinic. Key markers of a good lab:
- Air filtration: VOC-scrubbed, HEPA-filtered air — volatile organic compounds damage embryos
- Time-lapse incubators (EmbryoScope or similar) — allow continuous embryo monitoring without disturbance
- Vitrification quality — the consistency of egg and embryo freezing affects survival and transfer success
- Embryologist experience and caseload — higher-volume labs maintain sharper skills
2. Single embryo transfer policy
Elective single embryo transfer (eSET) is the evidence-based standard of care at quality centres. Twin pregnancies carry significantly elevated risk to mother and babies.
If a clinic is encouraging you to transfer two embryos to improve your chances, ask specifically what their twin pregnancy rate is. Quality centres achieve excellent cumulative rates with single transfers.
3. Specialist credentials and training
- Fellowship in Reproductive Medicine or equivalent postgraduate qualification
- SASREG membership and active continuing professional development
- International training or fellowship — particularly for surgeons managing complex cases
- Academic affiliations and research output — an indication of engagement with evolving evidence
4. Patient communication and support structure
Over a typical IVF cycle, you will have 5–8 monitoring appointments, multiple results calls, a retrieval procedure, and an embryo transfer — spread over 4–6 weeks. How a clinic communicates during this period matters enormously.
- Is there a dedicated patient coordinator for your cycle?
- Can you reach someone for urgent questions outside office hours?
- How are test results communicated?
- How does the clinic handle difficult news — poor fertilisation, arrested embryos? If you want support navigating this, a fertility concierge can help you interpret results and decide on next steps independently
5. Psychological support availability
Quality clinics make counselling accessible as an integrated part of care — not just as a box-ticking referral.
Questions to Ask Before Committing to a Clinic
- What is your live birth rate per embryo transfer, broken down by age group, for own-egg IVF cycles?
- What is your policy on single embryo transfer? What is your current twin pregnancy rate?
- What incubator technology does your lab use? Do you have time-lapse embryo monitoring?
- How many IVF cycles does your clinic perform per year?
- Who will be my primary specialist, and will they personally perform my egg retrieval and transfer?
- How are patients supported during the cycle — is there a dedicated coordinator?
- What are the all-inclusive costs, and what is and isn’t covered in the quoted price?
For full cost context, see our IVF cost guide for South Africa. For medical aid questions, see our medical aid coverage guide. Fertility Solutions also offers finance options for treatment costs.
South Africa’s Major Fertility Centres — What to Know
Western Cape
Aevitas Fertility Clinic (Pinelands) is a centre of excellence in fertility, endometriosis, and endoscopic surgery — co-founded by Prof Thinus Kruger, pioneer of South Africa’s first test-tube baby. Cape Town’s fertility sector is internationally recognised and attracts significant international patient volumes. George Fertility Clinic extends access to patients in the Garden Route, in collaboration with Aevitas.
Gauteng
Genesis Reproductive Centre (Pretoria) offers compassionate, personalised care in a purpose-built environment. Joburg Fertility Center in Johannesburg provides comprehensive diagnosis and treatment including advanced reproductive techniques. BioART Fertility (Saxonwold) estimates a single IVF cycle at approximately R90,000 including most fees (2025).
Public sector
Three government hospitals offer means-tested subsidised IVF: Groote Schuur (Cape Town), Tygerberg (Bellville), and Steve Biko Academic Hospital (Pretoria). For qualifying patients, procedure costs are approximately R6,700 per cycle. These facilities maintain SASREG accreditation.
A Note for International Patients
Choosing a clinic from abroad adds complexity. South Africa’s positioning as a fertility travel destination covers the full picture. Practical guidance:
- Request a video consultation with the specialist before committing — most international-facing SA clinics offer this
- Ask for patient references from international clients in a similar situation
- Verify SASREG accreditation directly through the SASREG website
- A fertility concierge who knows the SA clinic landscape can provide genuinely independent guidance on which clinic suits your specific diagnosis and situation — without a referral fee conflict of interest
Myths vs Facts
Myth: The clinic with the highest published success rate is the best clinic.
Fact: The clinic with the highest rate may be achieving that number by treating a younger, simpler patient population. Ask for age-stratified live birth data — not headline percentages.
Myth: Price reflects quality.
Fact: In South Africa’s fertility sector, price reflects positioning and location as much as clinical quality. A well-accredited clinic at R45,000 per cycle does not automatically deliver worse outcomes than one at R110,000.
Myth: I should go to the most expensive clinic for the best chance.
Fact: Your best chance comes from finding the clinic whose specialist, laboratory, and support model are best matched to your specific diagnosis — not from spending the most money.
People Also Ask
Q: How do I find a SASREG-accredited fertility clinic in South Africa?
A: SASREG-accredited clinics are listed on the SASREG website and in the Fertility Solutions clinic directory. Accreditation means the clinic meets defined clinical and laboratory standards and participates in outcome reporting.
Q: What questions should I ask a fertility clinic before starting IVF?
A: Key questions: What is your live birth rate by age group? What is your single embryo transfer policy? What incubator technology does your lab use? Who will be my primary specialist? What are the all-inclusive costs?
Q: Is it worth travelling to Cape Town for IVF from elsewhere in South Africa?
A: For standard IVF, most major SA centres offer comparable outcomes. Travelling to Cape Town may be worthwhile for complex cases, severe endometriosis, recurrent failure, or egg donation — or access to specific specialists.
Q: Can I use a fertility clinic in South Africa if I live abroad?
A: Yes. Most internationally-facing SA fertility clinics offer remote consultations and established protocols for international patients — including remote monitoring in your home country before travel.
Practical Takeaways
- SASREG accreditation is the non-negotiable starting point. Browse the Fertility Solutions clinic directory for accredited centres
- Success rate statistics need careful interpretation — ask for live birth rates by age group, not clinical pregnancy rates
- Laboratory quality, single embryo transfer policy, and specialist credentials matter more than headline numbers
- Communication and support structure during the cycle significantly affects your experience
- For independent, unbiased guidance on which clinic suits your situation, consider a fertility concierge
→ Read more: Browse the Fertility Solutions clinic directory — accredited clinics across South Africa
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about fertility treatment. Clinic details and pricing are indicative and should be verified directly with each clinic.
About the Author
Leigh-Ann Geydien is the founder of Fertility Solutions, South Africa’s only dedicated fertility directory. With a deep commitment to patient advocacy, she built the platform to bridge the gap between those navigating fertility challenges and the clinics and reproductive health specialists best placed to help them.
