When couples get the news of being infertile the situation becomes overwhelming. As they get over the shock, they gradually start looking for fertility specialists or fertility clinics to help them feel the joy of parenthood.
Fertility clinics apply a number of diagnosis tests on the couples only to obtain the desired conceptions and pregnancies. These clinics include staff that are highly trained personnel like Reproductive Endocrinologists, Embryologists, Sonographers, and Nurses. Other specialists include Acupuncture, Hypnotherapy, and Nutrition specialists.
These clinics normally check both the sexes to understand the fertility problem. Some of the treatments include ovulation induction, surgical interventions, intrauterine insemination, in vitro fertilization, the use of an egg donor or a sperm donor or surrogacy treatments along with provisions of surrogate mother as well. In vitro fertilization is also in today.
If you are trying to conceive without using any contraceptives for more than a year but with no results, it’s high time that you consult a doctor. Normally a couple approaches their friends, relatives, and other infertile couple who has taken treatment in the past. You must also see the timing of the institute, their professionalism, and appointment on time, their progress, management and fees structure.
Let me warn you that advanced reproductive technology (such as IVF treatment) can be expensive and may involve strong drugs or hormones which can induce mood swings. Go for a thorough background research before finalizing on one.
We have come up with 10 best suggestions and guidelines that should be taken into consideration while selecting a fertility specialist or fertility clinic. Read the following with care.
1. For how long has the medical director been working in the field? How long have the doctors and technicians been working there?
High staff turnover directly means bad management and hence less successful results. Try to gather as many details as you can about the concerned doctor. Get an idea about his educational background, experience and successful cases in the field. Try to fix a personal meeting with the fertility expert. This will help you judge your doctor better. Since the process is personal and intimidating, you need to have a special bond with your doctor.
2. Research for the success rate. This is an important consideration that you need to take into account.
3. The Institute you choose should be easy to locate and should fit well in your daily life. In other words it should not be a burden n your cost of traveling.
4. Look for if your clinic has infertility remedies available with advanced technologies and latest research discoveries. Check if it owns its own IVF laboratory and other facilities like blood, urine tests and ultrasound scans.
5. Ask of the age limits for the treatment. If they have any such issues it will mean that the clinic is concerned about ethical issues. What normally happens is that each patient is treated on a case-by-case basis instead of approaching on the general termed basis.
6. Openly discuss about the cost of treatment. Ask if they offer any money-back guarantee. Ask if the clinic is part of any shared risk program. Through which if you don’t get pregnant, the doctor may have a financial incentive to treat you more aggressively than you want. Ask for a printed cost sheet with every detail like the procedure outlined, from donor egg retrieval through the transfer of embryos into the patient’s uterus. Also get an idea about the ultrasound costs, lab costs, extra office visits, and the cost of after-hours calls.
7. Understand the mode of communication with the patients, telephone call or through e-mail. Ask if you will have access to the doctor’s e-mail address or mobile no. Ask if the clinic provide 24X7 emergency services. Also ask if the clinic offers online consultation to the national and international patients. Are the treatment procedures available on weekends? Does it remain open on bank holidays?
8. Also understand the fact that if the clinic is too busy to answer your questions, they will have time for your questions once you’re a registered patient too. Try to avoid such clinic.
9. Another important concern is whether they provide egg donor or have a sperm bank. Also ask if the clinic has any freezing and storage facilities. This way the spare embryos can be collected for treatments in the future. Transfer of more than two or three embryos increase the risk of multiple births.
10. Ask about the other resources that the clinic provide. For example counseling or support groups, acupuncture, and other non-medical support.
Akshay Agarwal
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