Choosing the right fertility clinic is top of mind for many couples and individuals looking to take the next steps when it comes to fertility treatment, but it’s not always an easy task figuring out which clinic is right for you.
In addition to making a big decision like choosing which clinic and/or doctor is right for you, it’s also important to know what to expect when you finally meet with your doctor for the first time.
Choosing a doctor can be daunting, so we’ve put together some guidelines to help you determine the right doctor for your fertility needs.
Choosing the Right Clinic for You
You may have an idea of your fertility goals; if not, consider a few of these questions to get you started. “Does my insurance cover fertility treatment services?”, “What does my ideal future family look like?” and “Am I looking for a doctor specializing in the care I need?’.
Once you have a better understanding of your goals, consider the practice's location. Finding someplace reasonably close to your home or work is ideal in most cases, as you may need to schedule weekly or daily visits to the clinic based on your treatment plan.
Depending on your location, you may have several clinics and/or doctors to choose from, and this is where it’s important to do your research. A direct referral from a friend, family member, or one of your doctors can be helpful and provide a good starting point. You can also look into the clinic's IVF success rates, which can be found by visiting the SART website. They may be a little confusing to interpret, so discuss any questions you have with your doctor.
Lastly, you want to look into the clinics to see their services. They likely cover many services, but some offer services you won’t find available at other clinics or require outside coordination to complete some treatment options. Clinic websites and social media accounts are great ways to learn more about the clinic, their doctors, and staff and gain some useful information before your consultation that might make for a higher-level conversation during your appointment.
What To Expect With Your New Clinic
Meeting with a fertility doctor or reproductive endocrinologist can initially feel intimidating, but we are here to help you. In our clinic, when you start the process, you will meet one on one with your doctor to discuss your current health, diagnostic testing, and your potential treatment options.
This is a great opportunity to ask questions and learn as much as you can about your doctor, the diagnostic testing you will do, and what the next steps could look like for you.
Once you’ve completed the appointment, you will often be recommended to complete bloodwork along with other diagnostic testing that can give a better understanding of your reproductive health. For female partners, this often includes a Hysterosalpingogram or HSG, where your doctor can take an x-ray that shows the inside of the uterus and if fallopian tubes are blocked. For the male partner, a semen analysis is usually required to let us get a better visual of the health of the sperm.
Once you have completed diagnostic testing and you have decided, along with the guidance of your doctor, what your next steps will look like, you will receive instructions on what to do next.
The financial aspect of treatment is an important point as well, and the financial team goes over the costs of various treatment cycles before initiating treatment.
The next step often starts with the beginning of your next cycle, where you will be seen for a baseline appointment to ensure you’re ready to start treatment. With most of your appointments, you will meet with one of the doctors and other members of your clinic team and have the opportunity to learn what is coming up, and they can answer any questions you may have.
Choose an IVF Clinic With a Patient-Centered Approach
At OC Fertility, the patient is the center of our work, and we focus on providing skilled and comprehensive fertility treatment with a patient-centered approach. This means we deliver the highest quality care while remaining open and direct about your options. In addition to offering state-of-the-art fertility medical care, we also have partnered with organizations to help you navigate the finances and emotional side of fertility treatment. To learn more, schedule your consultation today or call us at (949)706-2229.
