There are a few things you will need to do before you begin fertility treatment. We have listed below the main important things you may wish to consider and action before receiving treatment.

1. Getting Started: Research

Before you make any kind of commitment, it is important to understand the range of options available.

  • Which clinic is suitable for me?

There are several metrics you can use to assess a clinic’s fit including location, type of treatment offered, cost, previous success and more.

  • How much does fertility treatment cost?

Having a baby through receiving fertility treatments is a complicated process, so are the costs.

  • How long does fertility treatment take?

The fertility journey is a long one.

A normal cycle of IVF may take a few months (including the period between consultation and egg retrieval), and a patient on average requires more than two to have a baby.

The number of rounds of treatment required to succeed depends on numerous factors.

If you are considering using donor sperm or eggs, expect this time to be longer. This is because finding the right donor or surrogate takes time. It also involves the implementation of legal precautions.

2. Submit an Enquiry

Once you have done your research, decide which clinics fit your personal criteria.

However, before you schedule a consultation, you should submit an enquiry.

Within the enquiry, you can find out more about the clinic, particularly information that is not available online. You can also use this opportunity to confirm any information you found during research.

If you are considering adding therapeutic services like acupuncture to your future treatment, you may wish to enquire about the referral process to receive these services. Some insurers provide coverage for therapy but require referral.

You can submit an enquiry to a clinic of interest through our website.

3. Schedule a Consultation with a Fertility Specialist

Most clinics allow you to schedule initial consultation with a specialist of your choice. Be sure to research available specialists at a particular clinic before this stage.

While you are scheduling for a session, ensure that the time is suitable for both you and your partner.

Prior to the consultation, you should prepare a list of concerns or questions that you would like to share with your specialist or him/her to answer. The list may include:

  • Your or your partner’s medical and fertility history
  • Estimated number of IVF cycles for you or your partner to have a baby
  • Which laboratory is affiliated with the clinic/specialist and its success rate; are you able to choose which laboratory performs IVF?
  • Timeline leading up to and including treatment cycle(s)
  • Donor and surrogacy programs (if applicable)

4. Fertility Tests

To determine what fertility treatment suits your situation the best, your specialist will schedule preliminary tests before starting any treatments.

These tests may include:

  • Blood tests

Blood tests typically screen for HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and other diseases that may affect fertility and/or embryonic development.

  • Ultrasound

Ultrasound checks for any abnormality such as ovarian cysts that may affect fertility. Vaginal ultrasound is also useful as a reference for later stages during your treatment.

  • Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) test

AMH is a reproductive hormone that can be used to evaluate the quantity of eggs present in your ovary. However, it does not measure the quality of eggs.

  • Semen analysis

Besides consistency, semen analysis can reveal the sperm’s appearance, count and motility (how fast they move). These factors play an important in male fertility.

  • Genetic screening (PGD/PGS)

If you wish to conduct pre-pregnancy screening for certain inheritable conditions like Huntington’s disease, you can discuss this option with your specialist.

Similar to IVF/ICSI, patients can choose which laboratory performs the genetic screening. Choosing the right laboratory is equally as important as the clinic as it affects not only the success rate but also the cost.

5. Follow-up Consultations

After test results become available, your fertility specialist will discuss the outcome and suitable treatment options with you. During these consultations, you will gain a better understanding of how long your fertility treatment will take and how much it will cost.

Get started now by sending an enquiry to a clinic of your interest.