5 Things to Consider When Picking a Fertility Doctor

The first “test tube baby” debuted in England in the late 1970s. In the early 1980s, the first American baby was born in Virginia via IVF.

In those days, major American cities had only a handful of fertility clinics and were treating a significantly smaller number of women and men than they are today. Back then, people searching for fertility treatments generally found their fertility doctors through referrals from their primary care doctors.

Fast-forward thirty years, and the fertility industry is booming. Currently, the Center for Disease Control estimates that assisted reproductive technology (ART) accounts for close to 2% of total births in the US. According to Marketdata, there are approximately 1,400 practicing reproductive endocrinologists offering fertility services across 480 fertility centers in the country. A simple Google search for “fertility doctor” now generates almost five million results.

Choosing your fertility doctor is perhaps one of the biggest investments you will ever make.

While it’s great that the science, education, and access to treatment has vastly expanded to help the many millions of people who need the support of science to start their families, those looking for a fertility doctor may feel overwhelmed by all of the options.

If you’re looking for a fertility doctor, you may have already spent time scouring the web to read up on doctors and clinics. That’s just the beginning. Choosing your fertility doctor is perhaps one of the biggest investments you will ever make, so before you decide which doctor to see, consider these five factors:

1) What’s the Cost?

When it comes to seeking out fertility treatments, this question is loaded! For many, the emotional and physical cost of treatment is often as critical to consider as the financial cost.

Those who have started to explore fertility treatments may be surprised to learn how expensive it is to try to make a baby with the help of science.

According to RESOLVE, the National Infertility Association, the average out-of-pocket cost of an IUI cycle is $865 and the average cost of an IVF cycle using fresh (not frozen) embryos (not including medications) is $8,158. Medications can add from $3,000-$5,000 for an IVF cycle.

Financial costs can vary depending on insurance coverage and clinic, so it’s worth researching your options. Call your insurance provider to find out exactly what it is covered.

If you don’t have an insurance plan that includes fertility treatments and/or medications and you need financial assistance, RESOLVE has a list of fertility grants for which you can apply.

Finally, if you think you are ready to start fertility treatments, here are a few ways to budget for it.

2) Location, Location, Location

If you undergo a fertility treatment, you’ll be at the fertility clinic often. (Depending on treatment, you may be there every 24 to 72 hours for a few weeks.)

Because the treatment schedule is already disrupting your life, it’s wise to choose a location that is somewhat close to home or work, if possible. At the very least, make sure the clinic is easy enough to access by train or car.

In some cases, you may decide to carve out a month away and travel to a clinic in another part of the country that has a good reputation. I know a couple that did this, and made a summer vacation out of their time there. Sure, it’s not very romantic to have daily doctor visits; but they actually enjoyed the city they resided in for their IVF retrieval and now have a healthy baby boy.

3) Reviews and Ratings  

Look online to see feedback from patients who have undergone treatment with the doctor or clinic you are considering. (Keep in mind that it’s not uncommon to see an A+ rating from people who have had healthy babies with the doctor and an F from others who didn’t have as positive an experience!)

In addition to the anecdotal reviews from happy and frustrated patients, you can access data on the doctor’s and clinic’s success rates. All of this should be listed on their websites, and if it’s not, request these statistics from the clinic.

You may also want to consider referrals from friends and family. Word-of-mouth is still the most powerful form of marketing, even when it comes to fertility. Chances are that if you know people who have had a positive experience at a clinic or with a particular fertility doctor, you may be inclined to try this doctor and clinic, too.

4) Doctor or Clinic Specialty 

While most fertility clinics offer the basic menu of options, some doctors and clinics specialize.

For instance, some fertility clinics have a great reputation for assisting LGBT and/or singles and couples in search of sperm or egg donors; and others are known to assist “mature” women and men. (A euphemism for those over 35 years old.) There are also clinics that do a more “natural” IVF cycles, using fewer drugs on the patients they work with.

Read up on the doctors’ experience and what the clinic specializes in to pick the most suitable doctor for your needs.

5) What Does Your Gut Tell You

Don’t ignore the importance of your instinct. You’ll be spending a significant amount of time and money with your fertility doctor, and you should feel comfortable with him or her. If you aren’t comfortable with the fertility specialist or you find that you’re not jiving with the clinic, take note.

Ask questions during your first consultation at the clinic about your potential success rate, treatment options, and other relevant information, and follow your instinct when it comes to how the doctor responds. Is he or she informative and encouraging? Or dismissive and impatient?

I once asked a very common question during a first consultation and the doctor responded, “I know you want this baby so badly that you’re getting a little too anxious…”

It was reasonable for me to ask questions, so I didn’t return to his office. I realized that I couldn’t go to a doctor who was condescending. I needed to go to a clinic where it’s understood that this process is as emotional as it is medical.

In other cases, I’ve walked into a fertility clinic and instantly felt taken care of and comfortable (well, as comfortable as you can feel in this situation!) and returned to do treatment there because it felt right. I’ve always had a better experience and results when I’ve felt respected by the doctor, nurses, and staff at the clinic.

When you’re researching fertility treatments and clinics, it’s easy to get lost in the large sea of possibilities. It’s a good reminder that you have options, and that you don’t need to settle for a doctor or clinic that isn’t quite right.