Getting Pregnant and Fertility Testing: Finding A Fertility Specialist
If you and your partner are experiencing infertility, finding a fertility specialist is an important step in learning about the best infertility treatment options for you. This is because seeing a fertility specialist will allow you to consider different fertility treatments, such as in vitro fertilisation and other assisted reproductive technology methods that can increase your chances of getting pregnant. Also, a fertility specialist plays a crucial role in determining the cause of infertility by performing a variety of fertility tests, which can help to reduce the emotional and financial stress of fertility treatment. But what factors should you consider when looking for a fertility specialist and what kinds of questions should you ask during an initial consultation in order to find the best specialist for you when seeking fertility advice?
How to Choose A Fertility Specialist
There are a variety of different approaches you can take when looking for a fertility specialist.
- Ask your doctor for a referral. Asking your health care provider for a referral is an excellent way to find the right fertility specialist for you.
- Ask family and friends. Talk to people you know who have also undergone infertility treatments. Ask them about which infertility treatments they underwent and how long it took for them to get pregnant.
- Compile a list of reputable fertility specialists in your area. Finding an infertility specialist that lives close to you is advantageous because it reduces travel time between your home and the fertility clinic, thereby minimizing unnecessary stress.
Who Should I See?
When deciding on which fertility specialist to see, it is important to remember the difference between an OB/GYN and a reproductive endocrinologist (RE).
An OB/GYN diagnoses and treats general female reproductive disorders and also cares for women during their pregnancy.
A reproductive endocrinologist is a practitioner of a subspeciality of an OB/GYN whose medical training focuses on treating infertility, both male infertility and female infertility.
It is recommended that a woman consult with a fertility specialist if she is under the age of 35 and if she has been trying to get pregnant for over a year, or if she is over the age of 35 and has been trying unsuccessfully to get pregnant for a period of six months.
Questions to Ask A Fertility Specialist?
When first meeting with a fertility specialist, it is important to ask a variety of questions in order to determine whether you feel comfortable working with her.
Some questions to ask include:
- Background: Inquire about the specialist's medical qualifications, including information about his degrees and whether or not he belongs to any medical associations. Also be sure to inquire how long he has been working as a fertility specialist.
- Success Rate: Ask the fertility specialist about different infertility treatment methods, including what types of ART she has performed and what the rate of successful pregnancy outcome associated with each type of ART method she has performed is.
- Doctor's Accessibility: Find out about the specialist's contact information, including whether he has a special call time during which to respond to a patient's individual questions. Also, learn about whether or not the fertility specialist will be the doctor working with you and your partner throughout the course of your infertility treatment.
- Support. Ask about whether the fertility clinic has a fertility support group or if it offers fertility counseling sessions. While not every fertility clinic offers such services, such conveniences can help you cope with fertility problems and minimize the stress caused by infertility.
- Accessibility of Services. Learn about the clinic's hours of operation, including the fertility specialist's working hours, as well as those of the fertility clinic's staff members. You should also inquire as to whether the clinic is open on weekends.
- Costs. Find out about the costs of possible infertility treatment plan options and which treatment plans are the most viable options according to your financial state.
Be sure to jot down your questions as well as to keep a detailed record of the fertility specialist's answers. This will help you and your partner make the best decision when considering which infertility treatment is best for you.
Infertility Treatment and Insurance Coverage
Lastly, before deciding on a fertility specialist, learn about the costs of some of the fertility treatment options available to you and whether or not you are covered by either you or your partner's insurance plan.
Check with your health insurance provider and with your human resources department before committing to any fertility treatment plan.
For more information on infertility, visit this fertility site
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