When you’ve decided to reach out for help with your fertility, you have a huge choice ahead of you. Usually, it’s already taken a lot of soul searching, deep conversations, and painstaking research to get to this point, and now all of your hopes seem to hang on this one decision: choosing the right fertility clinic.
It can be a daunting task. You know that the clinic you choose will make a huge difference in your experience at every point along the journey. Going through fertility treatment takes a lot of commitment physically, emotionally and financially, and you want to make sure that you’re giving yourself the best chance of success. There’s a lot to consider and you don’t want to miss anything important. So where do you start? How to you narrow it down? What questions should you be asking?
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Finding a fertility clinic which matches YOUR needs
The first thing you need is a clear picture of your own fertility challenges: your diagnosis and any contributing factors. Why? Success rates from fertility clinics are most useful when you know you’re comparing apples with apples. You want to be able to ask the clinic about their success stories for patients like you: same diagnosis, same age, same profile.
Remember, you can schedule a consultation and undergo diagnostic fertility testing without having to commit to treatment. Once you have your results in hand, you’ll have a clearer picture of your options and a blueprint for talking to fertility experts as you begin your search for the right fertility clinic. As a bonus, diagnostic testing is usually covered by insurance, even if your provider does not cover fertility treatment, so you may be able to gather this valuable information yourself with minimal upfront costs.
Investigating their reputation
Reproductive endocrinology is a dynamic field of medicine, with new research and developments happening every day. Fertility specialists at the top of their field are continuously engaged with this conversation, contributing original research of their own, presenting to their peers, and actively involved in educating the public. When you know that your fertility team are thought-leaders in their specialty, you know that you have access to the latest treatment advances and technologies out there.
It’s also important to hear from the patients of a clinic themselves: the testimonials and stories which give you a glimpse into what working with the team is like, and what you can expect. Infertility can be a profoundly isolating experience at times, but knowing that other patients have been down the same road can really help. You are not alone: the online community of people who have struggled with their fertility can be a source of valuable support and information during your search for the right clinic.
Making a list of questions to ask
Walking into a clinic and talking to specialists can be overwhelming. There’s a lot of information to process, a lot of specialized terminology to learn, and a lot of anxiety to manage. Coming prepared with a notebook and a list of questions you can refer to will help you stay on track during the conversation and make sure you don’t forget to ask about something important. (Don’t forget to write down the answers, too: if you are visiting multiple clinics, it can be a challenge to remember who said what.)
You’ll want to learn about their record of success with patients who share your profile, their approach to creating a treatment plan, the qualifications of their staff, and the practices and technology used in their lab, as well as insurance and financing options. Once you’ve covered the most important practical questions, you’ll want to check in with your gut. Do you feel a sense of trust with the team members you’ve met? Do you get the sense that this clinic treats patients as individuals and not as a set of statistics?
We know that picking a fertility specialist isn’t easy. There is no one-size-fits-all answer. The right clinic is the one that’s right for you, specifically. That’s why we have put together a free guide for prospective parents to walk you through the process. How to Choose a Fertility Clinic is full of valuable insight into all of the important things to keep in mind when you’re evaluating clinics. We’ve included a comprehensive list of questions to ask which will help you get started quickly (and hopefully help to settle your nerves before your appointment!)
At SCRC, we have been privileged to help so many patients achieve their dream of growing their family: over 10,000 babies and counting. Our highly qualified team of experts, our cutting-edge fertility laboratory, and our profound commitment to providing world-class care are all part of the success our patients have enjoyed. For us, it all starts with educating people to become equal partners in their treatment by sharing the information they need to make empowered decisions about their fertility. Wherever you are in your search for a fertility clinic, we hope you’ll find this eBook to be a valuable resource and helpful companion as you go through your search.
If you would like more information about the fertility services and treatments we offer at SCRC, or if you would like to schedule a consultation, please get in touch. Our knowledgeable, compassionate staff would be delighted to hear from you.
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