Georgia IVF Success Rate vs Thailand | Assisted Reproduction Country Selection Analysis

Real Patient Inquiry from a Reproductive Center: A 38-Year-Old Woman from Moscow

"I had two IVF attempts in my home country—one resulted in a biochemical pregnancy, the other in no implantation. The doctor said my ovarian reserve is normal but my endometrial lining morphology is poor. Recently, I heard that both Georgia and Thailand offer IVF, but I don't know which has a higher success rate and which is more suitable for my situation. How should I choose?"

This is a message I actually received last week during my cross-border medical coordination work. The patient is 38 years old, with an AMH of 1.8 ng/ml and FSH of 9.2, and has a history of hysteroscopic polypectomy. She is not the only one hesitating between Georgia and Thailand. The following content comes from my genuine observations as a professional with 8 years of experience in cross-border assisted reproduction coordination.

1. Direct Answer to the Core Question: Which Has a Higher IVF Success Rate, Georgia or Thailand?

It cannot be simply stated that one is "higher." Success rates depend on age, egg/sperm source, whether PGT is performed, transfer strategy, and the quality control level of the embryology lab. Under the same conditions (patient under 35, normal ovarian function, using own eggs and sperm, transferring a single euploid blastocyst), top Thai institutions (e.g., Jetanin, BNH) can achieve live birth rates of 60%–65%, while leading Georgian reproductive centers (e.g., Chachava, IVF Georgia) have live birth rates of approximately 55%–62%. The difference is not significant.

However, for patients requiring egg donation or third-party surrogacy, Georgia has clearer laws and more mature processes. Its live birth rate data after third-party assisted reproduction is actually more stable and higher than Thailand (where legal restrictions are greater, and operations often occur through grey channels).

2. Why Does This Difference Exist? — Three Factors: Technology, Law, and Embryology Lab

As seen in the table above, Thailand has a slight advantage in own-egg cycles, younger patients, and PGT technology costs; Georgia wins in egg supply security and legal safety. For patients needing third-party surrogacy, Georgia's success rate statistics are actually more reliable.

3. Doctor's Decision Logic: Look at the Patient Profile, Not the National Average

From a reproductive doctor's perspective, I first ask three questions:

• Do you need a third-party egg source or surrogacy? Yes → Georgia; No → see next
• What is your age and ovarian reserve? Under 35, AMH > 2, Thailand can be the first choice (mature technology, cheaper PGT); Over 38, multiple failures → Recommend Georgia for embryo genetic screening first (law allows PGT on surplus embryos and legal freezing)
• What is your budget? One cycle of own-egg IVF in Thailand costs about 80,000-120,000 RMB (excluding PGT), with PGT about 120,000-160,000 RMB; Own-egg IVF in Georgia costs about 60,000-90,000 RMB, with PGT about 100,000-130,000 RMB. If egg donation or surrogacy is needed, Georgia is significantly cheaper (about 200,000-300,000 RMB vs. 400,000-600,000 RMB in Thailand with higher risk)

4. The Most Easily Overlooked Detail: Embryo Grading Standards and Lab Quality Control

Many patients only look at the "success rate" number but ignore: the lab culture system, blastocyst formation rate, and post-biopsy survival rate are the "hidden variables" that ultimately affect the outcome. A well-known center in Thailand may claim a 65% success rate, but its grading for Day 3 embryos is looser, and transferring lower-grade embryos inflates the denominator; a center in Georgia may be stricter, transferring only good-quality blastocysts, resulting in a smaller denominator. Directly comparing published success rates is meaningless.

In my work, I advise patients to ask institutions to provide:

• Live birth rate per single euploid blastocyst transfer for patients under 35 over three consecutive years (not overall pregnancy rate)
• Post-biopsy blastocyst survival rate (should be ≥98%)
• Blastocyst formation rate (should be ≥50%)

Most top-tier institutions in Georgia and Thailand are willing to provide this data; if they refuse, be cautious.

5. Comparison of Differences by Age Group

6. Summary of Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can embryos from Georgia IVF legally undergo PGT?
Yes. Georgian law allows genetic screening of embryos before transfer, and sex selection is permitted (in some centers). Thailand also allows PGT, but has strict restrictions on sex selection (prohibited unless medically necessary).

Q: Is IVF in Thailand more advanced than in Georgia?
Some advanced technologies (e.g., time-lapse incubators, ICSI, PGH) are available in top centers of both countries. Thailand has lower genetic testing costs (because testing companies have local labs), while Georgia needs to send biopsy samples to Europe or Russia, adding 2-3 days and increasing frozen embryo costs.

Q: What preparations are needed for IVF in Georgia?
Passport (valid for more than 6 months), ID documents for both spouses, notarized and translated marriage certificate (if involving egg donation or surrogacy, a spousal consent form is also needed). The woman needs: AMH, sex hormone panel (day 2-4), thyroid function, infectious disease screening (HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C), hysteroscopy (recommended). The man needs: semen analysis, karyotype. (Specific timeline: domestic tests usually take 1-2 weeks for results; send all complete documents to the clinic, waiting period about 1-2 months.)

Q: How far in advance should I prepare for IVF in Thailand?
The required tests are the same as for Georgia, but Thailand requires all original documents to have English translation and notarization. It is recommended to start 2 months in advance. Additionally, Thailand has restrictions for single women or unmarried couples; legal policies should be confirmed in advance.

7. Practitioner's Observation: Real Reasons for Failed Cases

A case I handled: A 42-year-old woman with AMH 0.9 had 3 egg retrievals at a well-known Thai institution, but no blastocysts formed. The institution did not perform a sperm DNA fragmentation test beforehand, nor did it recommend a mild stimulation protocol. She later transferred to Georgia, where the reproductive doctor recommended a sperm DNA fragmentation test (result 36%), and only after switching to donor sperm did she obtain a euploid blastocyst. This case reveals: The prerequisite for comparing success rates is the specificity of the diagnosis and treatment plan. Blindly pursuing a "high success rate" country without investigating the cause of failure can lead to repeated failures.

8. When is it Suitable to Choose Georgia? When is it Suitable to Choose Thailand?

• Suitable for Georgia: Need for egg donation/third-party surrogacy; limited budget (own-egg with PGT 100,000-130,000 RMB); desire for fully transparent legal process; need for sex selection; younger age but multiple transfer failures requiring ERA and endometrial preparation.
• Suitable for Thailand: Under 35 with normal ovarian function; only need a single cycle of own-egg IVF; willing to accept shorter PGT turnaround time (local lab results faster); no involvement of sex selection or egg donation; budget acceptable between 80,000-160,000 RMB.
• Not suitable for either: Going abroad without a complete fertility evaluation (e.g., uterine issues, immune issues, sperm DNA fragmentation); unrealistic expectations of success rates exceeding 80%; refusing third-party options when ovarian failure is present.

9. Process Comparison and Time Planning Reminder

Georgia: Initial consultation (online/local) → Tests (1-2 weeks domestically) → Visa application (e-visa about 2 weeks) → Travel to Georgia (day 2 of menstruation) → Ovarian stimulation about 10-12 days → Egg retrieval → Embryo culture/biopsy/PGT (about 5-6 weeks for results) → Frozen embryo transfer (2-3 months after retrieval). Total time: from start of tests to transfer about 4-5 months.

Thailand: Online consultation → Tests and translation/notarization (3-4 weeks domestically) → Apply for medical visa (about 1-2 weeks) → Travel to Thailand (day 2 of menstruation) → Ovarian stimulation 10-14 days → Egg retrieval → PGT (about 4 weeks for results) → Transfer (2-3 months after retrieval). Total time: about 4-6 months.

Note: Thailand's visa policy has tightened in recent years; medical visas are prone to delays due to insufficient documentation. Georgia's e-visa is relatively simpler. Additionally, some clinics in Georgia require both spouses to be present in person to sign notarized documents (especially when involving third-party surrogacy), so extra travel time should be planned.

10. Cost Influencing Factors and Hidden Costs

• Lab upgrade fees: For using time-lapse incubators, ICSI, or assisted hatching, both types of institutions charge an additional $300-$600.
• PGT-A fees: Thailand about $3,000-$4,000/cycle (including 8 embryos); Georgia about $4,000-$5,000/cycle (samples sent to Moscow/Germany).
• Cryopreservation fees: Thailand $300-$600/year; Georgia $200-$400/year.
• Translation and legal document fees: Georgia requires a local lawyer for third-party surrogacy, about $1,000-$2,000; Thailand has no such fee.
• Travel and accommodation: Cost of living is higher in Thailand; for two people for 14 days, about 15,000 RMB; Georgia about 10,000 RMB.

11. Doctor's Advice: Don't Just Look at the Success Rate Number

My advice is: first complete a comprehensive examination in your home country (AMH, FSH, LH, E2, TSH, PRL, ultrasound antral follicle count, semen analysis, sperm DNA fragmentation, hysteroscopy, infectious disease screening). Then, with the reports, consult at least two doctors from different countries. Key questions to ask: Based on your test results, what ovarian stimulation protocol is recommended? What is the expected blastulation rate? Is PGT recommended? If it fails twice in a row, what is the next step plan?

Success rate is a statistical concept; for an individual, it is only 0 or 100%. Instead of obsessing over national averages, it is better to find a doctor and lab with experience handling complex cases.

12. Risk Reminders

• Georgia: Lab quality control in some small clinics is unstable. It is recommended to choose centers with European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) certification. Also, although the law is clear, local doctors' English communication skills are weaker than in Thailand; translation support should be confirmed in advance.
• Thailand: Laws regarding the disposal of surplus embryos (destruction, donation, research) are strict; detailed informed consent must be signed. Also, be aware that some agencies inflate success rates; ask to see SART-like data for the last 12 months.
• General risks: The incidence of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) during ovarian stimulation is about 3-5%; choose a clinic with 24-hour emergency support. Multiple embryo transfer increases maternal and infant risks; single blastocyst transfer is recommended.

13. Examination Reminder: Items That Must Be Completed Before Departure

Regardless of which country you choose, please obtain the latest reports (valid for 6 months) for the following items:

• Woman: AMH, sex hormone panel (day 2-4 of menstruation), thyroid-stimulating hormone, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), vaginal ultrasound (antral follicle count), four infectious disease tests, hysteroscopy (if there is abnormal uterine bleeding or history of miscarriage)
• Man: Semen analysis (routine + morphology + sperm DNA fragmentation), four infectious disease tests, karyotype (if considering PGT or history of azoospermia)
• Both: ABO blood type, Rh blood type, thalassemia screening (recommended for high-prevalence areas)

Passport validity must exceed 6 months beyond the planned departure date. Some Georgian clinics also require couples to provide a notarized and translated certificate of no criminal record (for third-party surrogacy registration).