To find the best fertility clinic for you, take time to research any clinic you consider. Don’t just choose the first place that returns your call; pursuing fertility testing and treatment is a big step and can also involve big money and lots of time. You want to choose only the best.
Besides, knowing your limits will keep you from being talked into some nifty new procedure that you really don’t want and can’t afford.
#1- How long has the fertility clinic been in existence? How long have the doctors and technicians been there? The clinic operates full time or part-time. High staff turnover can be a sign of bad management and can contribute to mistakes. The problem with a doctor who is available only part time is that he may not be able to provide you with the time and service that is needed to ensure that you have the best care possible and to give you a higher chance of conceiving. Part time clinic doctors are most likely to be burdened with busy schedules and preoccupied with their other full time job. If you’re dealing with male infertility issues, having an andrologist is important. If you’re dealing with endometriosis or any structural issues, a reproductive surgeon is a plus and possibly a must.
#2- Does the clinic have a wide range of infertility remedies available and is familiar with the latest technology, such as something called blastocyst transfer. Will they consider ovarian stimulating drugs alone, or IUI before moving on to IVF? How many cycles of IUI will they agree to try? Different clinics may recommend different treatment plans, and one may be more favorable to you.
#3- Does the center offer donor or surrogacy options? Does the clinic run a donor program or must you use an agency? If they have a donor program, are you limited to donors from their program, or can you use an agency if you want? Do they offer embryo donation services? What if you decide to donate any of your leftover embryos, either to another infertile couple or to science? Can they help you with that?
#4- Hospital Affiliations. Does that hospital take your insurance? Even if your insurance doesn’t cover fertility treatment, if you need to be hospitalized due to complications of treatment, you’ll want to be covered. Will the staff handle insurance claims? If not, will they provide you with the necessary paperwork to pursue insurance coverage for yourself?
#5- View the fertility equipment and facilities of the center. In order to obtain the best possible results, IVF treatments require the use of the latest technology. You should check that your centre uses the most adequate equipment and the latest proven techniques for your treatment.
#6- Age limits for treatment? If so, it’s a good sign that the clinic is concerned about ethical issues. Age cut off can be determined by certain tests. High levels of FSH may indicate poor ovarian reserves. In layman’s terms, it means that the quantity and quality of your eggs is low. While high FSH levels do indicate that you may have more difficulty getting pregnant, they don’t mean that you cannot get pregnant. They are just one factor to be taken into consideration.
#7- What does treatment cost? While you don’t want to choose strictly on price, it’s good to know costs ahead of time so you know what you’re getting into. Pick a clinic that is affordable to you, but you should not skimp on the quality of care just because one place is more affordable than the other. Do they have a payment program? Will you have to pay anything in advance? How much? If you’re doing IVF, what do you pay if your cycle is canceled before egg retrieval? What if it’s canceled before embryo transfer?
#8- The clinic’s pregnancy success rates. Be careful when checking these rates. Some clinics will turn away patients who have a very poor chance of becoming pregnant just to keep their rates high. Rather than looking just at the numbers, inquire about specific clinic policies and turndown rates as well.
#9- Check the scope for psychological counseling: Check if the clinic has facility of psychological counseling to help you find some good stress coping techniques during this difficult time.
#10 -Location of the clinic? Not everyone is lucky enough to live next to the clinic they need. Transportation time is an important factor to consider, especially if you’re doing IVF, as you may need to be at the clinic almost every day for part of your cycle. If you need to travel, remember you’ll need lodging and time off from work.
If a clinic promises you success, especially success in just one cycle, walk away. There’s no such thing as a 100% guarantee with IVF, no matter what reason for your infertility..
Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
