When you realize that you may need more help getting pregnant than you expected can sometimes be overwhelming. But, it’s good to remember how much fertility technology has improved and the many options women have to help them conceive. So many options, in fact, that it might be hard to choose which is right for you!
So, how do you sift through all of these options to find the best one for your family? That’s what we’re here for! If you’ve decided to seek treatment for your infertility, we have compiled a comprehensive list of the various factors to consider when choosing a fertility clinic. With our help, you’ll be able to take the first exciting step of your fertility journey and make an informed decision with confidence.
The Different Types of Fertility Clinics
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s go over the types of fertility clinics you may be choosing between. Similar to other medical practices, there are most likely several different types of fertility clinics to choose from in your area, including:
- Sole practitioners: Just like our very own Dr. Eva Littman at Red Rock Fertility Clinic, sole practitioners are one fertility specialist complemented by their team. This option tends to offer a more personal experience, often with more direct access to the fertility specialist.
- Small practices: These are similar to sole practitioners, but with two to eight member physicians instead.
- Large practices: This option generally involves more direct contact with nurses and staff, rather than the doctor. You may even see more than one doctor during your treatments. Large practices do have the benefit of more technology and resources in-house, such as a lab.
- University-based clinics: Along with having access to more resources, university hospitals may also benefit from the latest research. They are also known for offering discounts.
As you can probably figure out, large practices and university hospitals will have a lot of resources at their disposal, but smaller practices might have a more personal feel. Each type of fertility clinic has its pros and cons, so keep them in mind during your search.
Finances
While the cost of treatment is obviously not what you want to base your entire decision on, it is a factor. The costs of IVF tend to vary depending on your individual circumstances and the clinic you visit. If you’re interested in a certain fertility clinic and find yourself in a consultation, make sure to ask what will be included in the quote they give you.
Your health insurance coverage is another factor to keep in mind when it comes to the financial aspect of choosing a fertility clinic and different insurance plans will cover different procedures. Taking advantage of your health insurance plan can relieve a lot of the financial burden (and who wouldn’t want that?), so check into which doctors are covered when choosing a fertility clinic.
Location
Just like the cost of fertility treatments, convenience of location should not be the top priority in your selection process. But any practical person would recognize that location does play a role. While one clinic may be a little (or a lot) farther away than another option, that travel time will be more than worth it in the long run if you work with the best fertility specialist to help you get pregnant.
Different Fertility Clinics Have Different Offerings
IVF is statistically the most successful treatment for infertility, but every case is unique and there are other types of infertility solutions to choose from. You will want to choose a fertility clinic and fertility specialist that will investigate your specific case to find the best route to your pregnancy. At Red Rock Fertility Clinic, we aim to do everything in our power to solve our patients’ infertility issues, all while offering hands-on resources for the medical and emotional journeys they endure.
Success Rates
For obvious reasons, success rates are a pretty significant factor to take into consideration when choosing a fertility clinic. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) requires annual reports of all IVF clinics, which can be found on their website. The best way to gauge the quality of a fertility clinic is to looks specifically at their egg donor success rates. Egg donor patients generally have a high chance of becoming pregnant since the donated egg does not have any infertility issues, so check out whether the clinic’s statistics actually match up with that. According to our very own fertility specialist at Red Rock, Dr. Eva Littman, “even with a difficult population, we still have outstanding pregnancy rates.”
Go With Your Gut
After finding a fertility clinic that checks off your boxes on paper, it’s time to schedule an initial consultation. Make sure to have questions prepared that haven’t already been answered in your research. A fertility clinic’s job is to provide you with fertility treatment information specific to your own case, so a good fertility specialist will be happy to answer any questions you have regarding their practice and their patient experience. Find out how dedicated they are to their patient’s success by asking how many days a week they see patients, how accessible they are after-hours, and what other services they provide.
When it comes to going with your gut, there’s not much to be explained other than asking yourself, did you enjoy your experience at the fertility clinic? While it’s not the only factor to base your selection off of, if you get good vibes from the staff and the fertility specialist, it’s good to trust your instincts.
With Dr. Eva Littman, one of the Las Vegas Valley’s most trusted, knowledgeable, and honored fertility doctors, and an amazing team, our goal at Red Rock Fertility is to make your experience as comfortable and stress-free as possible while producing exceptional results. The fertility treatment process is a journey and you are now fully-equipped with the tools to find the right fertility clinic for you!
