IVF Questions
You’ve heard the stories before. Perhaps you’ve even watched videos online of women discussing how they’ve tried for years to get pregnant, only to keep facing disappointment year after year after year with each negative test result. Maybe you’re in this situation yourself. If so, what can you do?
While some alternative practitioners and allied health professionals are anti-IVF, Michelle isn’t one of them. Still, you have a lot of factors to consider before you take that leap. What do you ask your fertility doctor when he or she recommends IVF as a next step? Michelle goes over her top 10 questions she recommends that people ask when presented with it as a treatment option.
Your reason for doing IVF, however, might inspire even more questions to ask. For instance, using donor eggs or sperm will require a different level of clarification. Or perhaps you’re doing it because of a cancer diagnosis or for genetic reasons.
No matter the reason, you as the patient have the right to fully understand exactly what your body will go through and what principal outcomes might exist. So don’t hesitate to ask questions and ask for clarification if there’s something about the process that doesn’t feel right to you or confuses you. Ultimately, you’re the one in the driver’s seat, and you have rights to that information as a patient.
Do you have more questions that you’d like to add to the list? Michelle would love to hear about them, so post them in the private Facebook group Fertility Academy Community.
Show Notes:
[02:19] - Michelle asks questions of her patients and clients to clarify this decision-making process. Here’s the first suggested question.
[03:21] - How does in vitro fertilization work? This complex process often takes a lot longer than people anticipate. Here’s everything involved and what to ask your doctor.
[03:56] - As with any therapeutic intervention, risks and side effects always exist. Make sure you’re making a truly informed decision when moving forward.
[04:29] - How long does it usually take to get pregnant when using IVF? Find out what Michelle discovered by working with many patients through their IVF cycles.
[05:23] - Question number five concerns the cost of the procedure. Funding may be available from your local government, but you need to ask about what it actually covers.
[05:59] - Michelle mentions additional testing and procedures besides IVF. Just be aware of the out-of-pocket costs since funding isn’t available for most of them.
[06:41] - What kind of support is available after a successful conception? This is especially important if you’ve had multiple miscarriages previously.
[07:08] - The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how clinics operate. Get clear on any policies that may impact the treatment experience.
[07:44] - It can take a whole team of dedicated professionals to make a healthy baby. Does your clinic recommend and welcome this support?
[08:23] - IVF is a heavy investment on many levels, including mentally and emotionally. Michelle lays out which tools may be available to help you.
