Choosing the right assisted reproductive technology (ART) program is a vital step in your journey to overcome infertility. As you navigate this process, it’s essential to ask the right questions about the program’s credibility, costs, convenience, and specific details. Here are some important considerations to guide you.
Questions About Credibility:
- Does the program follow the guidelines established by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)?
- Is the program affiliated with the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART)?
- Is the IVF laboratory accredited by the College of American Pathologists and SART, or by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations?
- Are the physicians board-certified in reproductive endocrinology and infertility?
- Does the program report its outcomes to the SART Registry and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention?
Questions Regarding Cost and Convenience:
- What pre-cycle screening tests are required, what do they cost, and will insurance cover them?
- How much does the ART procedure cost, including medications for each treatment cycle?
- Will I need to pay upfront? If so, how much, and which payment methods are accepted?
- If applicable, who is in charge of submitting any bills to the insurance provider?
- What will my financial responsibility be if the treatment cycle is canceled before egg retrieval or embryo transfer?
- What are the costs associated with embryo freezing, storage, and transfer?
- How much work might I and my partner need to miss during the process?
- If needed, what types of assistance are available for affordable lodging?
Questions About Program Details:
- How many physicians will be involved in my care?
- How much can my current physician participate in my treatment?
- What types of counseling and support services do you offer?
- Who can I contact (day or night) if a problem arises?
- Do you offer embryo freezing (cryopreservation)?
- Are donor sperm, eggs, or embryos available through your program?
- Are there any age or basal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) limits?
- Do you consider ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection)? If so, when and what is the cost?
- Is assisted hatching available? If so, when and what is the cost?
- How many eggs or embryos are typically transferred during the procedure?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is an excellent resource for finding ART outcomes from various programs across the United States. It’s wise to ask if there have been any significant changes in the program since the information was first released in 2000, such as:
- Changes in personnel
- Adjustments in the methods for ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, embryo culture, or embryo transfer
- Variations in the number of cycles performed
- Changes in miscarriage rates, live birth rates per cycle started, or rates of multiple pregnancies
For a deeper understanding of your options, explore resources like Modern Family Blog for expert insights, or check out NHS for comprehensive information on intrauterine insemination (IUI).
If you’re considering at-home insemination, you might want to check out the free sperm donor matching service in Las Vegas or Make a Mom, which offers the only reusable option for at-home insemination. For a thorough explanation of how at-home insemination works, visit this link to learn more. Additionally, if you are curious about child development milestones, you can read about them here.
In summary, selecting the right ART program involves asking critical questions about its credibility, costs, and specific details of the treatment process. Utilize available resources to make an informed decision for your fertility journey.