Infertility & Reproduction Health Center

The Fertility Diaries: 3 Friends, 3 Paths to Pregnancy

How to Find the Right Fertility Doctor continued...

What is your success rate for women my age with my diagnosis? Clinics can push up their overall numbers by accepting women with more treatable conditions and by over-implanting embryos (which can lead to multiple births), so pin down the numbers that apply to you and ask for recent data.

What is your twin and triplet rate? If these numbers are higher than the national clinic averages of 31 percent and 3.2 percent, respectively, they may be implanting unnecessarily high numbers of embryos — increasing your odds of a risky multiple birth.

What days and hours are you open? You'll be at the clinic regularly for blood work and sonograms, so convenience matters.

When I have questions, can I call you directly? "Your doctor's accessibility and communication style can determine your outcome," says Keefe. "You'll be relying on her to help make complex decisions for which there are no simple answers. Follow your gut when selecting a doctor." If you're still uncertain, check out what the doctor's previous patients say about her on the online bulletin boards of RESOLVE, an infertility consumer group (resolve.org).

What will it cost? Prices can vary by up to 20 percent between clinics. Make sure yours offers a payment plan that fits your budget.

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