How to Choose an IVF Clinic

Eran Amir

CEO and Founder of GoStork

Many factors are considered when choosing the right IVF Clinic. Many questions have to be asked to make the right choice. It is also very important to find the one that fits your specific needs. Some consider location and the proximity of the clinic as the most important factors in their decisions, while others consider the doctors’ qualifications as the most important one. Infertility treatments can cost many thousands of dollars and involve strong drugs or hormones. It can also be an emotional roller coaster. That is why you must consider and weigh all of the factors.

Factors to consider when choosing an IVF Clinic

  1. Insurance Coverage: learn what your insurance will cover and what it won’t. Currently, 15 states mandate insurers to cover infertility treatments, including IVF. 
  2. Physician Certification: check the physician’s certification online and go a step further by verifying their certification with the appropriate certifying authority. It is important to work with a physician that is not only certified as an OB/GYN but one who also specializes in infertility. Board certification is a must. In order to obtain a general Obstetrics and Gynecology board certification from the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, physicians must complete four years of training, plus two years in clinical practice. In order to obtain subspecialty certification in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, a physician must be board certified and complete additional training as specified by the board. That’s a lot of training, and you only want the best.
  3. Success Rates: Be wary of programs that aren’t transparent about their results on their website. Clinics should be proud and advertise their success rates on their website. Their absence can be a red flag.
  4. Investigate the number of “Elective Single Embryo Transfers” (eSET) performed versus “Two Blastocyst Embryo Transfers” (2BET): eSET involves identifying an embryo with a high chance of successful pregnancy and transferring that single embryo to the uterus. eSETs are evidence that the clinic follows currently accepted best practices and has the latest and greatest equipment.
  5. Volume: you should also know how many treatments do they perform each year.
  6. Experience and Training: in addition to the physician’s certifications, another factor to consider is the staff’s experience, education, and training. Experience matters in reproductive medicine.
  7. Reviews and Testimonials: just like any other business, you should be able to find on any successful IVF clinic’s website, their reviews, and testimonials from previous clients. You should also check third-party websites for the clinic’s and physician’s reviews. Always read reviews posted for both the fertility center and the fertility doctor prior to making an appointment for an initial consultation.
  8. Word of Mouth Suggestions: ask your family members, friends, or members of a support group who have struggled with fertility treatment for suggestions and recommendations.