| A number of experts figure that anywhere sixteen | | | | couples, without the means, have simply given up as |
| percent of all couples experience problems conceiving. | | | | the realization sunk in that they can't afford the |
| In many such cases the couple will make the decision | | | | treatments. |
| to go to a fertility treatment center to help them | | | | A second important thing that you want to consider |
| conceive. | | | | is the staff and their qualifications. In particular, you |
| Choosing a fertility treatment center to place your | | | | are interested in the qualifications of their |
| trust in is one of the most important and nerve | | | | indocrinologist, infertility, and in vitro fertility specialists. |
| wracking decisions that you will probably make. Also, | | | | In vitro fertilization or IVF is very expensive so you |
| you have to manage your expectations as even the | | | | will want to ask about their pregnancy success rates |
| best fertility treatment center in the world cannot | | | | for previous patients. How does it compare to other |
| guarantee you of a pregnancy. The most that any of | | | | local fertility centers and how does it compare to the |
| them can do is to improve your odds. | | | | national average? If you are over 40 years of age, |
| All the same, there are some major questions that | | | | how much experience and success have they had |
| you will want the the answers to before you can | | | | with older patients? |
| choose the center that is right for you. | | | | Regrettably, when it comes to appraising the |
| The most important question that you will be | | | | suitability of a specific fertility treatment center, you |
| concerned about and want answered is the cost. | | | | are pretty much on your own. Ask if the center uses |
| Fertility treatments are not cheap and most insurance | | | | IVF treatment guidelines developed by the American |
| companies do not cover the cost of treatments. If | | | | Society for Reproductive Medicine. But also recognize |
| this is the case with your insurance company, you will | | | | the fact that fertility treatment centers are not |
| have to finance the cost yourself. | | | | regulated in the United States. |
| How much you pay for your treatment will vary | | | | Third, a key task when assessing the suitability of a |
| based on your specific problem. In the best case | | | | fertility treatment center, is to ask to talk to prior |
| scenario, you won't spend more than $50 a month | | | | patients who they have treated for fertility problems. |
| for fertility drugs, with a bit extra to pay for the | | | | The best treatment centers will have a good history |
| cost of doctor visits and the tests they have to | | | | behind it and will have no shortage of previous |
| perform. If you require the more expensive fertility | | | | patients that will be happy to share their experiences |
| injections, your cost may go up to $2000 - $5000 or | | | | with you. If the treatment center balks or otherwise |
| more a month. And if surgery is required to correct | | | | will not give you references, this is a red flag. |
| your fertility problem, you could easily be looking at | | | | Fortunately, in this Internet age, there are many |
| more than $10,000 for surgery costs alone. | | | | online forums where users of such services will |
| Regrettably, as is true with so many things in life, | | | | honestly and openly discuss and share their |
| cost is unavoidably a consideration in determining | | | | experiences with specific treatment centers. |
| whether a couple can really choose the best available | | | | And finally, all things being equal, you'd like to select a |
| fertility options or settle for a less dependable one. A | | | | fertility treatment center where you feel comfortable |
| lot of couples are so desperate to have a child that | | | | talking and dealing with the staff. One where you can |
| they have mortgaged their homes or risked their | | | | ask questions and, in return, be given solid, practical |
| future retirement funds on the chance that fertility | | | | information that can empower you to make your |
| treatments will bless them with a child. Many other | | | | own fully informed decisions. |