Beginning fertility treatment can be scary, we know. Your emotions can run high, and you have spent hours on the computer seeing differing opinions. It can feel incredibly overwhelming. You might be wondering “should I be eating more pineapple?” – but you don’t have to do it alone. Your fertility doctor and team should be right there beside you every step of the way.
That’s why it’s critical to choose the right doctor – one that you can trust, you have a good communication and feel comfortable with. Unsure of what you should be looking for in your fertility doctor?
Don’t worry, that’s why we’re discussing some of the items we recommend our patients consider.
READ THE REVIEWS
This one may seem a little self explanatory, but reading the reviews should be your first step when looking for any kind of service – let alone a fertility doctor. This is a big step for you and your family, and hearing how others in similar situations felt about their team can help you to understand if they’re right for you.
This is more than the medical details – think about the way they describe the doctor’s bedside manner, how prompt their responses are to questions, and how easy it is to schedule appointments. This experience is a lot for anybody, but these items can help alleviate some of the stress. In many ways Social Media has become one of the best ways to choose your clinic. People who have bad experiences are typically never shy to speak of it. Nevertheless, it should be put into perspective, which includes the actual pregnancy statistics. And remember, if the doctor has bad reviews, this is where you will find them.
LOOK AT THEIR SUCCESS RATES
You also can easily find and look at a clinic’s success rate, and layer this into your decision. All fertility clinics nationwide are required to report detailed statistics about the fertility cycles completed to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and some also send to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART). annually – meaning that there are two sources for you to consider. We’ll break them down below.
SART STATISTICS
SART statistics provide information about the most recent IVF success rates, but they only report on facility clinics that are members, so their data is not as complete as CDC data. 20-30% do not report to them because it is not required. This data is typically reported on 2-3 years later. The reality is that SART is really looking at the CDC data but we like their website because their charts a re easy to read. The results aren’t in until nine months later as would be expected and then it takes them a year or so to process. It was even slower because of the Covid pandemic.
CDC STATISTICS
CDC statistics are more comprehensive because they include IVF success rates for all fertility clinics, including ones that aren’t a part of SART. But it’s worth keeping in mind that this is a lengthy process and although they can be variability from year to year for a particular clinic, if it’s a good clinic, you will see it in the statistics.
LOOK AT THEIR PRICING
Everybody walking into fertility treatment will have a number that they’re comfortable with, and it’s important that you know that figure.
We know it can feel expensive, with an IVF cycle carrying an average cost of $12,000 plus the medications in the United States. But it doesn’t need to be – seeking out a clinic that has transparent, upfront pricing is a priority we encourage patients to look for.
That’s why Fertility Partnership is proud to offer one of the most affordable in vitro fertilization services throughout not only St. Louis, but the region, starting at $9500.
SCHEDULE A PRELIMINARY MEET & GREET
Once you nail down a small list of clinics that you’re considering, it’s worth taking the time to schedule a preliminary appointment with them. This could be remote, or in person if you’re able and would allow you to get a feel for who they are as a person. We believe it’s important for you to feel the energy of the clinic and see if it is right for you. You do not want to feel like you are in a line at the post office.
Ultimately, you will spend a lot of time in their clinic and hopefully face-to-face with your doctor, so finding a clinic where you feel cared for is critical. This decision doesn’t need to be made in a day, take the time necessary for you to feel comfortable with your choice.
In the end, the most important thing is that you felt comfortable. Clinics shouldn’t make promises that they cannot keep but they should offer you the promise of good care. You need to feel like you’ll be taken care of and cared for. This is a difficult journey and you want to feel the love.
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION WITH OUR TEAM TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW WE CAN HELP YOU.
