If you walked into a crowded coffee shop this morning, chances are at least one or two people in that room owe their existence to a petri dish. That’s not an exaggeration anymore. Honestly, for a long time, IVF was talked about in hushed tones, like some rare, high-tech miracle reserved for the ultra-wealthy or the desperate. But things have changed. A lot.
Basically, we’ve reached a point where assisted reproductive technology (ART) is part of the furniture of modern life.
In the United States, roughly 2.6% of all births now come from IVF. That number might sound small at first glance, but when you consider there are nearly 4 million births a year in the U.S., you're looking at almost 100,000 "IVF babies" every single year. According to the latest 2025 and 2026 reports from the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) and the CDC, the number of people seeking these services is climbing faster than ever.
Why is IVF becoming so common?
It’s not just about "older" parents anymore. While it’s true that people are waiting longer to start families—which naturally drives up the demand for help—the tent has gotten much bigger. We’re seeing a massive spike in usage from LGBTQ+ couples and single parents by choice.
💡 You might also like: Antibiotics for E Coli UTI: What Actually Works When You’re Hurting
Also, the tech just got way better. In the early 2000s, IVF was kind of a gamble. Now, with things like AI-driven embryo selection and PGT-A (preimplantation genetic testing), the success rates for a single cycle have jumped significantly. People aren't as afraid of the "rollercoaster" because the tracks are a bit smoother now.
The global perspective: A bigger picture
It’s not just an American trend. Worldwide, the numbers are staggering.
- Over 13 million babies have been born via IVF since Louise Brown (the first "test-tube baby") arrived in 1978.
- In some countries, like Denmark or Israel, the percentage of IVF births is way higher—sometimes topping 5% or even 10% of all children born.
- One ART-conceived baby is born every 35 seconds globally.
Think about that. Every 35 seconds. By the time you finish reading this article, half a dozen more IVF babies will have entered the world.
The 2026 Reality: Success Rates and Age
Let’s get real about the numbers, because "common" doesn't always mean "easy." Success is still heavily dictated by the age of the eggs.
If you're under 35, your chances of a live birth per egg retrieval are pretty solid—usually hovering around 51% to 53%. But as you move into your late 30s and early 40s, those numbers start to dip. For women over 42 using their own eggs, the live birth rate is closer to 4% or 5%.
That’s a tough pill to swallow. It’s why egg freezing has exploded in popularity lately. People are "pre-buying" their future IVF cycles while their eggs are still young. In 2023 alone, egg freezing cycles in the UK jumped by over 60%, and the U.S. is seeing similar trends as we move through 2026.
The "Twin" Myth
You might remember a time when IVF meant "triplets." You’d see those news stories about "Octomom" or families with five strollers.
That’s basically ancient history.
In 2026, the goal is almost always a "singleton." Because of better embryo screening, doctors now prefer transferring just one high-quality embryo. The multiple birth rate for IVF has dropped from nearly 30% in the 90s to about 3.4% today. If you see someone with twins now, there's a good chance it happened the old-fashioned way, not because of a lab "error."
What Most People Get Wrong About IVF Frequency
One thing people often miss is that "starting IVF" doesn't always mean "doing an egg retrieval."
A huge chunk of the "commonality" we see today is actually Frozen Embryo Transfers (FET).
Back in the day, you did a "fresh" transfer right after retrieval. It was stressful for the body. Now, we freeze almost everything (vitrification) and wait for the body to calm down.
🔗 Read more: Yoga for seniors beginners: What most people get wrong about getting started after 60
- Frozen is often better: In 2026, success rates for frozen transfers are often higher than fresh ones because the uterine environment is more "natural."
- Leftovers: Many families have embryos "on ice" for years. This has led to a rise in "sibling" IVF births—where a baby born in 2026 is actually the genetic twin of a sibling born in 2023.
The Cost Barrier vs. The Growth
If it's so common, why is it still so expensive?
Honestly, cost is still the biggest hurdle. In the U.S., a single cycle can easily run you $15,000 to $25,000.
However, more companies are starting to offer fertility benefits as a standard perk to attract talent. Also, several states have passed "mandate" laws requiring insurance to cover it. That’s why you see such high rates in places like New Jersey or Massachusetts compared to states without those laws. In DC and Maryland, over 5% of all babies are ART babies because the access is just... there.
Is it becoming the "new normal"?
Sorta. But we have to be careful not to treat it like a guarantee.
While 1 in 6 people globally deal with infertility, IVF isn't a magic wand for everyone. It’s a medical procedure with physical, emotional, and financial tolls.
Actionable Steps If You're Considering It
If you’re looking at these stats and wondering where you fit in, don't just look at national averages. They're a bit like looking at the average temperature of the entire ocean—it doesn't tell you if the water is cold at your specific beach.
- Check your state/country mandates: Before you panic about the $20k price tag, see if your employer or state law covers it. You might be surprised.
- Get a "Fertility MOT": Don't wait until you've been trying for two years. A simple AMH blood test and an ultrasound can give you a baseline of your "ovarian reserve."
- Look at "Cumulative" success: Don't get discouraged if the first cycle fails. Most people (statistically) need 2 to 3 cycles to bring home a baby. The success rate after three cycles for a 30-year-old is actually closer to 67%.
- Investigate AI Clinics: In 2026, many clinics use AI platforms like Embryoscope to monitor development. Ask your clinic if they use "time-lapse" imaging—it can provide a lot more data than traditional methods.
IVF has moved from the fringes of science to the center of the modern family. It's common, it's growing, and for thousands of people every day, it's the only reason they're finally getting to use that "Baby's First Christmas" ornament.