Fertility treatment can be a long, emotional, and expensive journey. Choosing the right fertility clinic is an important decision and can be based on a variety of factors.
Location is a big consideration, especially if you need morning monitoring appointments (depending on your protocol). It’s also important to find out how much your insurance will cover and what other financial resources are available.
Cost
A key consideration when choosing a fertility clinic is cost. Fertility treatment can be incredibly expensive, and some women may not be able to afford it. While some fertility treatments may be covered by insurance, many are not, making it essential for patients to research the costs of a potential treatment before committing to it.
It is also important to find a clinic with a wide range of infertility remedies, and one that is up-to-date with the latest technology. Some clinics have internal rules, such as age limits or BMI restrictions, that prevent them from offering certain treatments, and these rules can limit your options.
Another factor to consider when choosing a fertility clinic is location. If you have to drive an hour each way to your appointments, or spend a few hours each day in the morning waiting for your appointment, this can add up to significant stress. It is best to choose a clinic that is located near you, or at least close enough that it will not be a major commute.
Finally, it is crucial to call your insurance provider and ask which clinics are in-network with your plan. This will help you narrow down your selections right away. It is also a good idea to look at clinics that offer discounts for new patients or a referral program.
Experience
Choosing the right fertility treatment requires a lot of research. Many people who are trying to conceive go through extensive and expensive treatment, and they need to find a clinic and physician that can provide them with the care and support they need. It is important to look for a clinic that has a history of success, as well as a good reputation. It is also helpful to know whether your insurance will cover any of the procedures.
Fertility treatment can be an emotionally and physically exhausting experience. A good clinic will offer compassionate and understanding care to their patients, as well as expertise and the latest treatments. This can help to reduce stress and increase the likelihood of a successful outcome.
When looking for a fertility clinic, make sure to ask about their track record. Look for clinics that are members of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART). These clinics are required to report their success rates publicly, and you can use these numbers to compare one clinic with another. Also, be sure to check out their complication rates. A high rate of complication can increase the cost and difficulty of the treatment.
Some people have religious or ethical objections to certain fertility treatments. These may include the use of donor eggs or sperm, surrogacy, or embryo freezing. These objections can affect the decision to pursue or not pursue a fertility treatment. It is important to speak with your doctor about these objections before making a final decision.
Availability
When people need fertility treatment, it’s important that they are able to find it. In the United States, many health care insurance plans cover some types of fertility treatments. In addition, some employers provide additional coverage for fertility treatments. Talk to your health care professional about whether or not you’re covered by insurance or your employer’s benefits.
In the UK, eligibility for NHS-funded fertility treatment varies by region and treatment area. A GP can refer you to a specialist for an initial assessment and if eligible, the NHS will pay for your treatment.
The most common treatments are oral medications that stimulate the ovaries (clomiphene citrate and letrozole). They’re small, inexpensive pills taken for five days during each menstrual cycle. Another option is artificial insemination, which involves introducing the partner’s sperm into the woman’s uterus during or just before ovulation. This is typically done in conjunction with hormone injections or tablets.
Other treatments include a laparoscopy, which involves making a cut beneath the navel and using a thin viewing device to check the fallopian tubes, ovaries and uterus for problems like scarring or blockages. Some of these procedures may also be used to remove growths such as endometriosis or fibroid tissue. People with unexplained infertility are often diagnosed by a gynecologist, although some patients may choose to see a reproductive endocrinologist.
Reputation
You’ll want to find a fertility specialist with a good reputation. However, this isn’t always easy to determine because fertility treatments are highly individualized. Many patients look at the physicians and clinics’ success rates, which are usually available online, but this isn’t a reliable way to measure a doctor’s skill since some clinics won’t report unsuccessful or complicated fertility cycles in order to keep their success rates high.
Fertility treatment involves medication or surgery that increases the chances of an egg fertilizing and implanting in the uterus. The most common fertility procedures include intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and cryopreservation of eggs, sperm or embryos.
The medications used in fertility treatment are called gonadotropins, and they’re designed to stimulate the ovaries. They’re available in the form of injectable drugs, such as Menopur, Follistim and Luveris. These medications have a risk of causing multiple births, such as twins or triplets.
Some couples choose to use donated eggs or sperm to help them conceive. This can be done using IVF or with a gestational carrier. Donated eggs or sperm can be tested for any genetic disorders before they’re implanted, which reduces the chance of a parent passing a disease to their child. Some patients have hysteroscopy, which is a type of laparoscopic surgery that can treat conditions such as endometriosis and pelvic adhesions that could interfere with fertility.
