Managing Fertility Treatment

Once you have a diagnosis for your infertility, your doctor will recommend a treatment plan.

Be an Active Member of the Team

You will need to work closely and efficiently with your doctor and medical team to get the most of out treatment:

• Learn the names and roles of the office staff and nurses.
• Find out if a specific nurse works with your doctor and if s/he has designated call-in hours for questions.
• Ask if the doctor responds to questions via email or if s/he has a designated call-in time.
• Ask if the office or clinic is closed on weekends or holidays or has scheduled vacation times. Find out who will see you if the office is closed and you needed monitoring.
• Find out what time the lab opens. If it lab not conveniently located ask if there is another site where you can have tests done.

Get the Most Out of Your Appointments

The infertility treatment plan can be confusing. To get the most out of appointments with your doctor:

• Have someone accompany you to take notes while you ask questions.
• Keep a list of questions to ask the doctor.
• Discuss a time frame for treatment. It can always be adjusted and it will help you feel more in control.
• If you want to be aggressive with treatment, say so. If you are not comfortable with certain treatment options, make that clear at the onset.
• Discuss the risks and benefits for each treatment and drug.
• Ask what the normal values are for blood tests and what your values are.
• Request information about risks of multiple gestation and miscarriage if you are doing intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF) with stimulating drugs.
• Ask for success rates for a specific treatment for women your age.
• Clarify if the “success rate” means getting pregnant or delivering a healthy, full-term baby.
• Get a second opinion if you are going to have surgery or if
• Request a copy of your medical records if you are considering getting a second opinion.
• Become informed about infertility. Attend seminars and read current books, articles, and online resources on the topic.
• Understand ahead of time what treatments your insurance will and will not cover.
• Allow yourself to take a break from treatment, unless your age is impacting your fertility.