If you’ve been trying unsuccessfully to get pregnant, it may be time to see an infertility specialist. Choosing the right specialist to help you achieve your goal of having a baby is an important decision. You want to be sure to pick the right doctor to treat your infertility. There are some factors you should consider in choosing a specialist.
Many couples consider statistics when choosing a specialist. Statistics are one factor to consider, but you need specific information to understand the statistics. Some clinics have better success rates because they tend to treat patients with problems that are easier to fix. A clinic that treats more difficult cases may have a lower pregnancy rate. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the clinic with the higher success rate is a better place.
Consider the personality of the doctor and the office staff. It’s important for you to feel comfortable with the clinic. The reputation of the doctor is important, but you need to feel comfortable communicating with him, or he may not be the best choice. A friendly and warm office staff is also important. You will be communicating with these people for the entire time you are a patient at the clinic.
When you meet the doctor for an interview, ask about his philosophy. It’s important for the doctor’s philosophy to be compatible with your own. For example, some doctors implant more embryos and offer selective reduction if patients get pregnant with too many babies. If you are pro life, this may go against your personal belief system. If this is the case, you may want to look for another specialist whose beliefs are more similar to your own.
Ask if the doctor participates in clinical trials. If so, you may get in on new treatments sooner than you would in another practice. Ask for information about upcoming clinical trials and whether you would be a candidate for treatment.
Some Questions to Ask in an Interview:
* Where was the doctor trained?
* Is the doctor Board Certified?
* What hospital is the doctor affiliated with?
* Does the clinic accept your insurance?
* Do they offer payment plans?
* Is the lab located on site?
* What is the pregnancy rate?
* What percentage of patients have multiple births?
* Does the clinic have weekend hours?
* How long has the doctor been in practice?
* How are after hours calls handled?
* Is counseling offered through the clinic?
* What procedures are offered?
* How much does the procedure cost?
* What is included in the cost?