If you’re planning on receiving IVF treatment, then you’ll probably want to know all there is to know about it, where’s best to receive treatment, and what you can expect in the forthcoming months.
Everything from the exact cost, quality and medication to success rates – you’ll want to know it all. But more than anything else, you’ll want to be sure you’re picking a clinic that you’re comfortable with, one that’ll make you feel like you’re in safe hands. So here are some key questions you should ask your fertility treatment provider or IVF clinic:
- Is your treatment tailored to each individual patient?
Some clinics offer a blanket fertility treatment to all their patients that fit particular criteria; this might not be the right treatment for patients with certain kinds of condition – endometriosis, for example. Ensure the clinic you choose can accommodate your particular needs.
- How will you decide which treatment I’ll undergo?
The clinic you choose should be able to tell you exactly how your treatment will pan out, from your initial consultation and determining what’s right for you, to the advice and support post-treatment. A personalised treatment plan will depend on your history, investigation results and existing conditions, but will also be influenced by the clinic’s specialism and area of expertise.
- What are the clinic’s success rates and what are the success rates for me in particular?
Not all clinics use the same criteria for measuring success rates. IVF success rates should be treated with caution, but it’s good to know that your chosen clinic has a good track record.
- How many cycles of treatment would you recommend before trying another option?
Depending on your individual circumstances, how many cycles of treatment will this fertility clinic recommend? How long will one cycle take and do they recommend skipping a menstrual cycle between treatment cycles?
- How much will my treatment cost? And what is the cost of the fertility medication I’ll need to take? Are there any payment plans to help?
Prices will vary between clinics – make sure you find out exactly how much you’ll need to pay, and if you can realistically afford it. Lots of treatment centres do offer finance options or payment plans so ask about those if you need to.
- Will we see the same doctor/fertility specialist members throughout the treatment?
This is an important question to ask. Having various appointments with numerous doctors can make some people feel stressed out or as though they’re being passed around, so find out if you have one main point of call or if you’ll see multiple specialists during your fertility journey.
- What counselling and/or patient support group is available to us?
You’ll be investing a substantial amount of money into your fertility treatment, so you’ll probably want to know exactly what’s included - like patient support groups and counselling. Most clinics do offer these kinds of services, so make sure you find out what’s included in the total price of your treatment and scope out the support network you’ll have before, during and after your fertility treatment.
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