PollenTree

Choosing An IVF Clinic

 Just thought others might benefit from a few tips on choosing an IVF clinic.

• First consider how you will pay for treatment as not all health insurance policies cover a full course of infertility treatment.

• Think carefully about how far you are willing to go in the fertility process if the first cycle is not successful. Advanced technologies can be very expensive, involve strong drugs or hormones and be emotionally draining.

• Do your research carefully – you can find out about the success rates of the clinic but these figures can be misleading. For example, some clinics only report the number of live births while others report the number of pregnancies (whether or not these have led to a live birth). Some clinics only take on patients with a good chance of success whilst others will treat all suitable patients and therefore the success rates between these clinics will differ. As a rule just look for a success rate which is above the national average. Do not choose a clinic simply because it has the best success rate without asking how their figures are compiled.

• Check whether the clinic offers the full range of treatment if you are prepared to try more advanced technology at a later date. For example do they offer IVF, DI, IUI, ICSI, TESA, ZIFT, GIFT etc.

• Check the cost of treatment. Every clinic should give you details about its charges and the cost of any extras such as drugs or surgery. The cost of drugs can be hard to predict as they may depend on the rate at which your follicles develop and therefore how long you will need to take the drugs for. In addition some clinics may pass on the cost of licence fees to its patients. In the UK the regulator charges the clinics per number of treatments and also for each donor insemination. Some clinics pass this cost on directly to each patient while others absorb it into their administration costs.

• Check whether the clinic offers infertility counselling. In the UK this must be offered free by law. Support during the IVF process can be very important as your emotions will be all over the place.

• Check the clinics rate of multiple pregnancies - this is a real risk with IVF. You need to think carefully about how you would feel about giving birth to twins, triplets or even quadruplets!

• If your treatment will involve using donated sperm, eggs or embryos ask the clinic about their recruitment, transportation and screening process. 

• Check the clinic is licensed or follows the regulations or codes of practice applicable in the country it is located. If there is a regulator check whether they carry out inspections of clinics and if so read their inspection reports.

• Ask about the experience and qualifications of the team who will be treating you.

• Choose a clinic that is easy for you to travel to as during a treatment cycle you will need to visit the clinic regularly.

• Check how long the medical director and other staff have been at the clinic as high turnover of staff may mean poor management and administration.

• Check the opening hours of the clinic and whether they operate at weekends and ask about the level of out of hours support offered.

• Lastly don’t be afraid to ask for a tour of the clinic as the look of the place can be very important when a clinic is  aboutto become a routine part of your life.