Choosing which fertility clinic to use for your fertility journey is an important decision. For those who need to go through IVF or other fertility treatment, you will have a close, personal relationship with your clinic for many months, or even years. So it’s helpful to have a list of questions to ask to make sure you’re making the right choice.
With most fertility clinics offering free phone consultations before a paid appointment, it’s the ideal opportunity to find out more about their service and communication, and decide whether they would be a good personal fit for you.
Here are five must-ask questions to make sure you’re making the right choice for your fertility journey ahead.
1. How will you personalise our treatment plan based on my specific circumstances and values?
Because every person and every fertility journey is unique, it’s important to choose a clinic that tailors each treatment plan to fit your unique needs. When talking to a doctor or nurse during your free consultation, ask yourself if you get a sense that the clinic will be interested in your values and any cultural considerations – do you feel they’ll provide a truly personalised approach to your fertility care?
At Repromed, we take everyone’s values and culture into account whenever we speak to someone about their fertility journey, whether they become a client or not. We celebrate inclusivity and are proud to be the first healthcare provider in Aotearoa to receive the Rainbow Tick. We work hard to make sure you feel seen and acknowledged, everyone is welcome.
2. Will we have the same fertility team throughout treatment?
When it comes to progressing on your fertility journey, continuity of care is essential to maintain consistency, build trust, and foster relationships. Ideally, you would be supported by the same dedicated doctor and nursing team so that you feel comfortable at every stage.
At our Auckland fertility clinic, we aim for you to have the same team of doctors and nurses looking after you, as much as possible. You are not just a number to us, and we want to provide you with a high level of consistent care throughout the entire process.
3. What is the chance of success for someone in my/our situation?
It helps to go in eyes-wide and understand your chance of success for the treatment options ahead. This helps you set realistic expectations for the results you receive and gives you a good sense of the transparency and authenticity of your fertility clinic. If the fertility clinic makes promises that seem too good to be true and doesn’t factor in the specifics of your situation, you might need to look elsewhere.
One of our values at Repromed is integrity, and that, to us, means doing the right thing. We won’t overpromise and tell you what you want to hear if it isn’t possible – it’s our no-sugarcoating policy. We also won’t recommend add-on treatment costs unless it is likely to improve the outcome. We take a compassionate approach that keeps you well-informed at every step.
4. What is the estimated total cost of the treatment recommended?
It is reasonable to ask about the investment required to achieve your goal of having a baby. Financial planning is vital, and it’s good to go into the process understanding the total cost expected to make sure you’re getting the full picture.
Everyone will have a unique requirement for their medication and treatments based on many different factors. Repromed prioritises personalised care and also takes into consideration the budgets and finances of our clients, offering interest-free finance options to spread the payments. We will always do our best to ensure you don’t pay for more than you need.
5. How quickly can we expect to begin treatment?
As you can imagine, the availability of consultation appointments and treatment dates vary by clinic. Minimal wait times for both are ideal so you can start your treatment without unnecessary delays and achieve your dream of starting or expanding your family.
We understand that once you’ve decided to begin your fertility journey, it can be frustrating to wait longer than you thought, especially if age is a factor. That’s why our team aims to offer minimal wait times so you can get the ball rolling as soon as possible.
Choosing the right fertility clinic is an important step in your journey to parenthood. By asking these five essential questions, you can ensure that you receive the highest quality of care that’s tailored to your individual needs.
Would you like to find out more?
Repromed offers a free 15 minute phone consultation with one of our fertility doctors for new clients, click here to book an appointment. Although we’re based in Auckland, we welcome clients from all over New Zealand to our fertility clinic.
If you’re keen to start the process and book a full consultation right away, email to set up a time. Find out what to expect in your first consultation in this helpful article.
