The Process of Choosing a Fertility Clinic and What to Consider When Making This Decision

19 Jan 2023

Using a fertility clinic is a big decision and one that should not be taken lightly. After all, finding the right clinic will help improve your chances of being successful and starting a family of your own. But first-time users may not know what to look for and what to consider when looking for a clinic that offers fertility services.

So, we’ve created this brief guide to help you find the clinic that’s right for you and will boost your chances of a successful outcome. 

Check the Clinic’s Reputation

A good clinic will have a good reputation, and it’s usually not difficult to discover just what its reputation is. Have a look online and ask questions and it shouldn’t be long before you start finding answers. This approach is also very convenient because you can do so from the comfort of your own home. 

If a clinic has a good reputation then they will be delighted to let you know all about it. This includes any awards they’ve won, customer testimonials, and anything else that demonstrates they can be trusted to offer a good service. If a clinic doesn’t seem so keen on sharing information regarding its reputation, it’s probably a good idea to look elsewhere. Also makes sure any information you do take on board is genuine and doesn’t come from the clinic itself. 

If you can only find negative feedback on a particular company, or if you can find none at all, it’s probably a good idea to look elsewhere. After all, starting a family is a big deal so it’s best to take your time to be sure of finding the right place. 

When you’ve created a shortlist, you can consider visiting a few clinics to ask questions. Being there in person will help make it easier to get the answers you need, while also giving you a feel for how friendly and professional or otherwise the clinic is. 

Check They Have the Right Licences

Make sure the clinic has the appropriate licences to operate and carry out the procedures you need. If a clinic is licenced then you can be confident they train their staff thoroughly and have all the tools and equipment they need to do a thorough and safe job. 

Unfortunately, some clinics will run without the necessary licences, and this means you can’t be confident they will do a good job. And not only will this reduce your chances of becoming pregnant, but there’s also a potential risk to your health.

As such, if a particular clinic doesn’t have the right licences to practice then it’s best to look elsewhere instead. 

Which Treatments are Available? 

Infertility is a complex condition with numerous potential causes. As such, there are also numerous potential solutions and treatments. IUI, IVF, ICSI, Which treatment you need will depend on the specifics of your case. 

Of course, you probably won’t know which treatments you need until you and your partner have undergone tests and an examination. You should then check the clinic has the facilities and the skills required to provide treatment effectively and safely. If they don’t, it’s best to find a clinic that has all they need to offer the best possible service. 

Location can Be Important

Location is important. After all, you and your partner are likely to make several trips to the clinic so you won’t want it to be too far away. The good news is that fertility clinics are fairly common so you should have little trouble finding something within a reasonable distance from you. 

Which Facilities Does the Clinic Have? 

Which facilities a fertility clinic has is also an important consideration. After all, you want to ensure you are as comfortable as possible throughout the process, and that any procedures are carried out as safely as possible.

Other facilities to look for include laboratories, which are necessary for multiple tasks such as testing sperm and eggs. If a clinic outsources its lab work then it can lead to potentially long waits for results to come back. However, lead times are usually much shorter if the clinic does its lab work in-house, helping to make the process faster and more convenient for you. 

Price

While we will all want the best possible service, price is a deciding factor in many cases. It’s understandable that most people will want to spend as little as possible, but that’s usually not the best approach. Instead, it’s best to spend as much as you can reasonably afford to spend so you can be confident of being safe, and getting the best results. 

Many fertility clinics will offer payment plans if the cost is too much for you to handle in one go. Spreading the costs will help make it easier to pay for the treatment, and can make the more costly options more affordable to you. 

Are the Staff Friendly?

Infertility treatment can be frustrating and stressful, and it will often take weeks or months before results are seen, if at all. As such, it will help if the staff you’re dealing with are friendly and professional at all times. It also helps doctors and any other staff are happy to answer any questions you might have.

As such, it’s a good idea to visit a clinic in person before making a decision. If you find one where the staff are not particularly welcoming, it’s probably best to look elsewhere. 

Summary

Above are just a few of the things you should look out for when choosing an infertility clinic. Most of all, it’s essential that you choose a reputable clinic with a good reputation and the appropriate licences. Finding such a clinic will help improve your chances of successfully starting a family, while also helping ensure your safety. 

Other factors to look out for include location to avoid having to travel long distances. Friendly staff is another important consideration, and it’s also a good idea to check which specific services the clinic has. A clinic with good facilities is also important for the best service and results.