Infertility is among the most frustrating medical conditions a woman can experience. Not only does it raise important questions about health; it can also make a woman feel like less of a woman and interfere with her long-term goals and dreams. Many women are so desperate when they finally seek fertility counseling that they forget to view fertility treatments through a critical lens. But just like other doctors, there are good, bad and great fertility specialists, and the questions you ask can determine the quality of care you receive. Here are the most important questions to ask your fertility specialists:
What is My Diagnosis?
With the advent of IVF and other fertility advancements, many doctors immediately jump to treatment of infertility rather than discovering its underlying cause. If you’re having trouble getting pregnant or several fertility treatments have failed, ask your doctor why. She should be able to give you a clear explanation. If she can’t, ask her to recommend further diagnostic testing and to explain how likely it is that each test will yield a clear indication of the problem’s cause.
What is the Prognosis?
Fertility treatments have brought hope to thousands of couples struggling to get pregnant. However, many couples never get pregnant using fertility treatments, so it’s important to know your likelihood of getting pregnant prior to investing thousands of dollars. Be sure to ask your doctor if multiple treatments increase your odds of getting pregnant.
Can Lifestyle Factors Affect My Fertility?
The answer to this question is almost always yes. Smoking, stress and nutritional status can all affect fertility. Your doctor should make clear recommendations about lifestyle choices that can increase your chances of getting pregnant.
What is the Least Invasive Treatment?
IVF has received much positive media coverage, but this treatment is extremely invasive. For many infertile couples, there are less invasive treatments available. These treatments may pose fewer risks and cost less money. Ask your doctor about these options.
How Many Treatments Should I Try?
Couples without fertility problems often have to try for a year before they get pregnant. This means that, even if you don’t get pregnant after several rounds of fertility treatments, there may not be anything wrong. Ask your doctor how many rounds of a particular treatment you should try before moving on to something else.
Could it be My Partner?
Women are often the first people examined by fertility doctors, but if you’re not getting pregnant, the problem may lie with your partner. Make sure your partner has been tested for all potential fertility problems before getting surgery or taking hormonal treatments.
What is Your Success Rate?
Be sure to check the statistics of the fertility clinic you have chosen. Some fertility clinics have very few pregnancies while others have stellar results. You should choose the fertility clinic with the best success rate.
A good fertility doctor should give you clear, understandable answers that are also scientifically sound. If you’re not getting the answers you need, it’s time to a new doctor.
Sources:
The Pregnancy Book; William Sears
MedicineNet
Babyzone
WebMD