6. Do your homework

Infertility impacts couples medically, emotionally, and financially. You want to be sure that you are going to the best place for you and your partner. From a medical perspective, evaluate your doctor’s training, experience and success. From the emotional perspective, what kind of resources for support do they offer and is it integrated into the practice or part of an outside service? Are you comfortable with interactions you’ve had with the staff? Do you feel like they are your partners in this situation?  Most importantly, seek the recommendation from people you trust, your doctor or friends who have gone to the Center.

7. Financial Considerations have you frightened

Financial considerations may overwhelm you. Many insurance companies offer some degree of coverage, even if it is only for your initial diagnostic evaluation. It is always a good idea to speak with your insurance company and find out what your coverage actually is.

CACRM offer many financial options for couples without insurance benefits. We recommend that you call and schedule a private, individual consultation with our Financial Manager (mrodriguez@cacrm.com ).

8. In Vitro Fertilization is often not the first option

Many patients will begin with “low tech” treatment (such as Clomid with or without Intrauterine insemination), achieve a pregnancy and never have a need for In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Others because of their diagnosis, blocked fallopian tubes or advanced age, will have to go straight to IVF or Donor Egg to help them conceive.

Patients who go to CACRM are not typically “pushed” into IVF. Lori Arnold, MD will take a stepped care approach to balancing your chances for success and the simplicity of the procedure. While IVF offers outstanding success rates, it may not be necessary.

9. IVF is not experimental and the incidence of high-order multiple births are decreasing

Over the past 25 years, In Vitro Fertilization technology and experience have greatly improved, affording many more couples the ability to conceive. In fact, over millions of healthy babies have been born from IVF since Louise Brown was born in 1978. Over the year, delivery rates have tripled. The introduction of Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) in 1992, has almost eliminated the need for donor sperm, thus allowing infertile men to have their own biological child. The technology has advanced to the point that fewer but healthier embryos are now implanted, thus decreasing the risk of multiple, high-risk pregnancies.

10. Know the odds

When you are going through any low-tech treatment it is important to understand that your chances for pregnancy are most likely going to be optimized by 3-6 treatment cycles. If this is not successful, and if no new information has been found to help improve the current treatment plan, then it is time to move on to the next option. For example, if you have been taking Clomid for 4-6 months or more without success, it may be time to consider your next steps, especially if you are over the age the age of 35. Your fertility specialist can guide you as to when it is best to consider new options.