If you’ve ever tried to make sense of the HFEA (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority) website, but then completely freeze from dissociation, I see you. Maybe you went there in search of clarity—maybe even hope. A concrete number, a percentage, something to hang your decision on. Instead, you ended up down a digital rabbit hole of filters, definitions, and what can only be described as charts that feel more like a game of Traitors.

Okay, I will give the HFEA a bone here - They are a vital regulatory body. And they’re doing important work to ensure fertility clinics in the UK are safe and ethical. With that disclaimer out of the way, I will say that their data presentation isn’t exactly... intuitive. And that matters, especially when you’re trying to make one of the biggest decisions of your life (not to mention, all the money you will probably throw at it.)

So let’s get into it—why their statistics can be so hard to navigate, how some of the benchmarks might be misleading, and how we can read between the lines without losing our minds.

The Problem with the Numbers

Make it stand out

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Let’s start with the basics. The HFEA collects a huge amount of data from every fertility clinic in the UK, from IVF cycles to donor conception to embryo storage. In theory, that’s fire— We have a national overview that can inform our choices.

But in practice, their “Choose a Fertility Clinic” section is giving escape room energy. One of the first issues? Inconsistent benchmarks.

Firstly, the whole “live” birth rates thing.

When we are looking for success metrics, most of us assume that statistics are telling us about the success of ultimately having a baby. A baby that’s alive. And here’s where the HFEA gets sus. Often, the figures listed are not live birth rates—they’re clinical pregnancy rates, implantation rates, or births per embryo transferred.

These are not the same thing.

A clinical pregnancy means there was a heartbeat at an early scan. But sadly, not all clinical pregnancies become live births.
Births per embryo transferred is tricky too. On the surface, it sounds helpful—but it can skew perceptions, especially for patients with more complex fertility issues who may need multiple transfers.

TBF, live birth rates do exist on the site. But they’re not always easy to find, and sometimes, the most recent years don’t include them at all. Instead, you might get cumulative data from years ago, or numbers lumped into age categories that don’t reflect your specific context.

So when you're comparing Clinic A to Clinic B, it might look like one has better outcomes—when in reality, they're just reporting a different metric. Again, sus.

The "Traffic Light" Trap

HFEA uses a “traffic light system” to show whether a clinic’s outcomes are “consistent with,” “higher than,” or “lower than” the national average.

Sounds helpful, right?

Except, again—what are they measuring? This isn’t a game of Red Rover. We are trying to freeze our eggs and can’t be messing around with vague gradings.

Let’s say Clinic X has a high proportion of patients over 40, and their live birth rates are lower than the national average. That might land them with a dreaded amber or red light—even if their results are excellent for their specific patient group.

On the flip side, Clinic Y might look great on paper—but they may turn away patients with lower chances of success, artificially inflating their stats.

Context is everything. But the site doesn’t give you enough of it.

Age Bands That Don’t Reflect Reality

Another thing that makes the data hard to interpret: the way age is grouped.

If you’re 39, you might be lumped into the “38–39” band. But your outcomes may actually be closer to those of a 40-year-old. Same goes if you’re 34 and thinking about egg freezing—you might be compared to data from women up to 35, without any insight into how things change at each individual age. Not too helpful.

And let’s be real: when you're navigating IVF or egg freezing, one year can feel like a decade, especially if you’re at that 35 year old hump where fertility supposedly falls off a cliff.

So when we see a statistic like “28% live birth rate per embryo transferred for women aged 38–39,” what does that really mean? Is that skewed by 38-year-olds with excellent ovarian reserve? Is it based on people doing their third cycle? Did they transfer one embryo or two?

After 20 minutes on the HFEA site, we’re collectively confused.

Clinics Are Not One-Size-Fits-All

Some clinics specialise in “difficult cases.” Others are great for patients under 35. Some are known for high standards of patient care or low intervention. But none of that is clear from the numbers.

For instance, if you’re someone with endometriosis, low AMH, or recurrent miscarriage, you might do better at a clinic that understands your specific situation—even if their success rate looks lower overall. But the HFEA stats don’t highlight that.

They also don’t show how a clinic makes you feel. And that matters. A lot.

What We Actually Need

What would be more helpful?

Clear definitions of every metric, with an emphasis on live birth rates per cycle started, not per embryo transferred.
Breakdowns that include patient context—age, diagnosis, cycle number, number of embryos transferred.
Transparency around how clinics manage expectations—are they selecting patients with the best chance of success to boost their numbers? Possibly!!
A user-friendly dashboard that lets you input your own age, diagnosis, and goals and see realistic outcomes.

But most importantly, we need support in making sense of the data. Because behind every statistic is a human being. And when you’re navigating fertility treatment, you shouldn’t need a PhD in biostatistics to understand your options.

We. Deserve. Better.

How to Use the HFEA Website (Without Doom Scrolling)

Is it still worth looking at the stats? Yes—but with caution. Equally, you should take a clinic’s supposed success rates with a hint of salt.

Here’s how to approach it:

Search for your age group and try to find live birth rates where possible. If you can't find them, dig into multiple categories for context.
Look beyond the numbers. Read reviews, ask questions in support groups, and consider how you feel about the clinic’s approach.
Call clinics directly and ask what their live birth rate is for someone like you. They may not advertise it online, but they might share it in a consultation. Granted, it can’t be verified - so bear that in mind!
Don’t panic if the numbers look low. IVF is not always a one-and-done game. And many people beat the odds in ways that statistics can’t predict.

Final Thoughts

It’s okay to feel overwhelmed by the HFEA stats. You’re not the only one. A lot of us are sifting through percentages, trying to translate cold numbers into human hope.

At Klia, we believe in empowering you with honest, accessible info that makes you feel more confident—not more confused. And you deserve more than a traffic light and a pie chart to help you write the next chapter.

We’re looking at you, HFEA…

Why HFEA Stats Can Feel Like a Maze (and How to Read Between the Lines)