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10 Questions to Ask your Reproductive Endocrinologist
1. Ask what are the steps of the procedure? It is best to discuss this initially since undergoing fertility treatments can be somewhat stressful, and you could forget to ask specifics that are important to you. Learn about your treatment schedule. Most clinics can provide a sample schedule with some deviations due to each person’s uniqueness. Ask for a calendar of your medication schedule, number of appointments or activities that will occur at your scheduled appointment, such as blood draw, ultrasounds, etc.
2. Who will be your point of contact and what is the preferred method of communication? This is one of the keys to lowering your stress level. When you know who will be contact and how you two will communicate. If a question or issue arise, you will know exactly who to contact and more likely to get a quick response. Have them describe the clinic works during your procedures, who will you contact if they are not available and make sure to get key that other individual’s contact information.
3. Who performs what procedure? During your monitoring stage, you will be poked, prodded and examined. Ask them who is in charge of these procedures; will it be an ultrasound technician, nurse or the RE? If you feel comfortable with a particular ultrasound tech, ask for that person by name. Most clinics will accommodate you easily. Determine who will be performing which procedures so you know when you'll be interacting with your RE and when you'll be interacting with the clinic’s other colleagues.
4. What is the clinic’s policy such as number of embryos transferred during a cycle, how they determine when to cancel a cycle etc? You will make more rational decisions by knowing these answers upfront, than when your RE confronts you during your monitoring, retrieval or transfer. Women have had their IVF cycle cancelled because or poor responds to medications, cysts developing from medication or undeveloping embryos.
5. What are your risks of twins or high-order multiples? Health risks and complications for all and the chance of having a twin or multiples pregnancy. In IUI and IVF cycles, the risk of having twins or high-order multiples is around 20 percent. What will your doctor do to minimize those risks? Many of the clinics are aware of the risks associated with multiple babies and strive to minimize these within their clinic.
6. Clinics costs and fees – what are they, what is covered and could there be any extras? Most clinics will give you a sheet of their costs per procedure. If they do not offer one, ask for it. You need to know quickly what your hard-earned money will be spent on. There are times clinics make financial mistakes, charging you for something you did not have run. Make sure each time you receive a bill/invoice, read carefully. If there is a discrepancy, discuss it right away so it can be cleared up immediately.
7. Are there side effects from the medicine or procedure? You will be absorbing so much at your initial meeting, it is important to know if any of the medicine or procedures has any possible dangerous side effects. The clinic should be able to provide you with a detailed description of the purpose and side effects of each.
8. Do they encourage holistic alternatives? Several recent studies are showing that acupuncture, massage therapy, homeopathy, Reiki and other forms of alternative medicine are increasing success rates of fertility treatments.
9. Does the clinic participate or offer clinical studies or trials?
Clinical testing is voluntary and you must understand the associated risks/benefits of that particular trial. Ask what the requirements are to become eligibility in the trial. If you are eligible, ask how you can participate. Sometimes it takes clinical trials a little longer to start due to many factors such as eligible patients, government regulations, etc. Ask the RE regarding possible start date, possibility of cancellation and if there are any financial rewards if you proceed with the trial. 10. Additional resources? Are there particular website, peer-to-peer groups or books that will assist you in your quest for knowledge and understanding. Your RE should know of many and can recommend exactly what you are looking for.
The desire to become pregnant is often stressful and can become all-consuming. Knowledge is power. The more you know the less nervous and the better will be to manage the strong emotions you might experience during your treatment.
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