Clinical pregnancy

A clinical pregnancy is defined as a pregnancy confirmed by ultrasound, usually by the presence of a gestational sac in the uterus, sometimes with a yolk sac or cardiac activity depending on the stage of the scan. This is a more advanced stage of confirmation than a positive beta-hCG blood test alone, which only indicates a biochemical pregnancy. IVF success rates reported by clinics often use clinical pregnancy rate as one measure, alongside live birth rate, because it can be assessed earlier. A clinical pregnancy does not guarantee an ongoing or live birth; some clinical pregnancies are lost later, including through miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.

Also known as: clinical pregnancy rate, confirmed pregnancy on scan

Last reviewed: 9 September 2026. Written by the Antega Editorial Team. General information only — always follow the advice of your own clinic, doctor or pharmacist.