Infertility Treatment Made Me Feel Like a Customer, Not a Patient

pregnant woman throwing toddler in the air sitting by a tree

Last week, I had an ultrasound at a local hospital. The front desk staff greeted me with smiles, and the nurse practitioner engaged in friendly conversation before we began. We chatted about my jewelry, she inquired about my young daughter, and we shared a few laughs. This casual interaction was typical for a medical appointment, yet it starkly contrasted with the experience I had over the previous four months at a fertility clinic.

Since December, I had been visiting a private fertility clinic in hopes of conceiving. Now that I was pregnant, my first prenatal appointment felt like a breath of fresh air. The difference in atmosphere was undeniable: here, I felt like a patient; at the clinic, I felt more like a customer.

It’s worth noting that not all fertility clinics are created equal. Some offer excellent care—like the team that helped me conceive my daughter when I lived across the country—while others can be disappointing. Additionally, a clinic’s reputation can suffer if a patient doesn’t achieve a successful pregnancy, which can unfairly skew perceptions of otherwise competent facilities.

However, it’s clear that the fertility industry operates much like a business, often prioritizing profits over patient care. Many clinics encourage transferring multiple embryos during IVF cycles, which can lead to unwanted multiples but helps inflate their success rates. Furthermore, some clinics refer patients to financing companies for treatment costs and receive substantial referral fees in return. There are even dubious “baby-or-your-money-back” programs, which typically favor the clinic financially. Concerns about the industry’s profit-driven motives have been raised for decades; as early as 1999, Dr. Sam Thatcher, a pioneer in fertility technology, criticized the lack of regulation and the industry’s profit-centric approach.

Patients certainly feel the impact of this environment. One woman noted in a BBC article, “All these clinics are after is your money,” while another expressed feeling like she was “on a conveyor belt.” A Yelp review of my clinic echoed similar sentiments, stating, “This clinic is all about the bottom line. If you want someone to hold your hand and care for you, I’d seek it elsewhere.”

I understood these frustrations all too well. Each time I visited the clinic, the receptionist would ask for my last name—despite knowing me well—and immediately quote the hefty sum I owed for that day. After ultrasounds, I would meet with the doctor standing in an open hallway, discussing my treatment plan without the privacy and attention I had experienced with my previous doctor. When I inquired about the differences in treatment protocols, my questions were often brushed aside. It was only after I pushed for clarification that we adjusted a medication, which I believe was crucial to my eventual pregnancy.

The last time I visited the clinic was on March 17 for the IUI that led to my pregnancy. Since then, I have not received any follow-up or check-in, which feels like a glaring absence of care and concern for my well-being.

There are several reasons why fertility care can feel so transactional compared to prenatal care. For one, fertility treatments are often viewed as elective procedures, akin to cosmetic surgery, leading to a more casual attitude from providers. Additionally, since many insurance plans do not cover fertility treatments, patients often feel more like paying customers. Furthermore, societal attitudes tend to value pregnant women more highly than those who are not, reflecting deep-rooted issues within our culture regarding women’s worth based on their reproductive status.

Now that I have successfully navigated my fertility journey, I can look back with a sense of humor, joking with my husband about how the clinic still hasn’t called to check in on me. I feel fortunate to be in a position where I can now anticipate compassionate prenatal care.

However, my experiences, along with those of many others, highlight the urgent need for change within the fertility industry. There must be greater transparency and a focus on the emotional journeys of individuals striving to become parents. Would I endure this process again to achieve my current happiness? Absolutely. But that doesn’t excuse the flaws in the system.

For more insights, check out this article on fertility treatments at Home Insemination Kit, and if you’re looking for helpful resources, CDC’s pregnancy page is an excellent place to start. Also, for those interested in enhancing fertility, consider exploring the Fertility Booster for Men for more information.

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In summary, my experience at the fertility clinic felt more like a transactional relationship than one of true care and support. This highlights the need for change in the industry, ensuring that patients receive not just medical treatment but also compassion and understanding throughout their journeys.

Keyphrase: Fertility treatment experience
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