| Many estimate that up to 16% of all couples | | | | treatments will bless them with a child. Many other |
| experience problems becoming pregnant. In many | | | | couples, without the means, have simply given up as |
| such cases the couple will make the decision to go to | | | | the realization sunk in that they can't afford the |
| a fertility treatment center to help them conceive. | | | | treatments. |
| Choosing a fertility treatment center is not an easy | | | | A second consideration is the qualification of the |
| choice and is not a decision to be made lightly. Also, | | | | staff - particularly their endocrinologist, infertility, and |
| you have to manage your expectations as even the | | | | in vitro fertility specialists. In vitro fertilization or IVF is |
| best fertility treatment center in the world cannot | | | | very expensive so you will want to ask about their |
| guarantee you of a pregnancy. The most that any of | | | | pregnancy success rates for previous patients. How |
| them can do is to improve your odds. | | | | does it compare to other local fertility centers and |
| Nevertheless, there are a few major questions that | | | | how does it compare to the national average? If you |
| you will need the answer to before you can choose | | | | are over 40 years of age, how much experience and |
| the center that is right for you. | | | | success have they had with older patients? |
| First on the list of questions is "how much is this | | | | Unfortunately, you're on your own in evaluating |
| going to cost?" Fertility treatments are not cheap | | | | fertility treatment centers. Ask if the center uses |
| and most insurance companies to not cover the cost | | | | IVF treatment guidelines developed by the American |
| of treatments. If this is the case with your insurance | | | | Society for Reproductive Medicine. But also recognize |
| company, you will have to finance the cost yourself. | | | | the fact that fertility treatment centers are not |
| The cost of your treatment will, of course, vary | | | | regulated in the United States. |
| depending on the cause of your specific problem. If | | | | Thirdly, in evaluating a fertility treatment center, you'll |
| you are lucky, you will only have to spend $50 - $100 | | | | want to talk to past patients that they have treated. |
| a month for fertility drugs in addition to the cost of | | | | A reputable treatment center with a good history |
| your visits to the doctor and the tests that he has | | | | behind it will have no shortage of previous patients |
| to perform. If you require the more expensive | | | | that will be happy to share their experiences with |
| fertility injections, your cost may go up to $2000 - | | | | you. If the treatment center balks or otherwise will |
| $5000 or more a month. And if surgery is required to | | | | not give you references, this is a red flag. |
| correct your fertility problem, you could easily be | | | | Fortunately, in this Internet age, there are many |
| looking at more than $10,000 for surgery costs alone. | | | | online forums where users of such services will |
| Unfortunately, as with so many other things in life, | | | | honestly and openly discuss and share their |
| cost is a factor in determining whether a couple can | | | | experiences with specific treatment centers. |
| take advantage of the best options out there to | | | | And lastly, you want to choose a fertility treatment |
| improve their chances of fertility. Many couples are | | | | center that you trust and feel comfortable going to. |
| so desperate to have a child that they have | | | | One where you can ask questions and, in return, be |
| mortgaged their homes or risked their future | | | | given solid, practical information that can empower |
| retirement funds on the chance that fertility | | | | you to make your own fully informed decisions. |