Finding The Best Fertility Doctor
Women and couples facing infertility often turn to fertility treatments to get pregnant. Whether pursuing intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), or another approach, fertility treatment can increase the chances of a successful pregnancy. However, not all clinics are created equal. The fertility doctor plays a significant role in treatment outcomes, and finding a trusted healthcare professional is essential for women hoping to have a healthy baby. When deciding where to start fertility treatment, consider asking the following 4 questions.
1. How much experience?
Although newer doctors may be more up-to-date with the latest technology, having a fertility doctor with a proven track record is ideal. Ask about the doctor’s educational background and how long the provider has been with the current practice. Also, make sure the personal connection is there. Perhaps even more important than experience, the ability to connect with the fertility specialist and openly ask any questions that may arise is critical to success.
2. Can you share success rates?
The fertility clinic should be able to share success rates by procedure for recent years. Additionally, the doctor should be able to break down success rates by age and diagnosis, giving patients a more personalized understanding of how likely the treatment is to work. In many cases, patients can also confirm this information online. While online, also spend time looking at reviews left for the doctor. In addition to success rates, former patients will likely comment on important details such as office wait times, provider empathy, and availability.
3. What support is available?
Fertility treatment is often a complicated process, requiring specific medications to be taken at exact times and appointments to be scheduled precisely. Knowing whether after-hours support is available can make a big difference for some patients. If a question arises about how or when to administer a medication, is the doctor or a nurse from the clinic available? Women with full-time jobs or childcare responsibilities may want to ask about the availability of early morning or late afternoon appointments. In addition to the physical toll, procedures like IVF can also be extremely emotionally taxing. Ask the clinic if any mental health support is available.
4. What happens if treatment is unsuccessful?
Although no woman or couple wants to plan for the worst, knowing what to expect if a cycle is unsuccessful is important. Depending on the treatment performed and the patient’s underlying fertility diagnosis, the clinic may want to plan for another cycle to try again. Ask whether the next cycle can occur immediately after or if a wait time is suggested. In other cases, the fertility doctor may recommend stopping treatment if the first cycle is unsuccessful. Knowing ahead of time what to expect can help in establishing a relationship with a fertility provider.
Informed and confident
Finding a trusted fertility doctor before starting treatment can make a big difference. Experience and success rates matter. Clinic amenities like after-hours nurses and mental health services can make a big difference. Knowing exactly what to expect at each stage of the process can help patients feel informed and confident. With the right fertility team, a baby is possible.
