About Fertility Clinics

Having a baby is one of the most life changing experiences a couple will embark on during their life. For couples faced with fertility, the journey to conceiving can be challenging. Many couples experiencing infertility must rely on specialty doctors and fertility clinics to help improve their odds of conceiving. So how do you go about finding a qualified provider or specialty fertility clinic?

Fertility Clinic Locator

There are literally thousands of fertility clinics sprinkled across the U.S. Some of the more common fertility clinics include in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics. These clinics generally provide couples with high tech infertility treatments to advance their chances of conception. Most infertility treatments are not covered by insurance, hence couples will have to typically shell out thousands of dollars to improve their odds of conceiving.

Most fertility clinics specialize in IVF and other procedures including ICSI, egg donation, artificial insemination or intrauterine insemination. Reproductive specialists and endocrinologists also head most. A reproductive endocrinologists must complete 2-3 years of specialty training in infertility and reproductive technologies, hence many couples that have tried various infertility treatments rely on their expertise to improve their odds of conceiving.

A good fertility clinic will offer couples valuable information about fertility. Counseling is often included as part of infertility treatments, particularly those offering assisted reproductive technologies like IVF.

Selecting a Fertility Clinic

If you are not sure how to go about finding a clinic, your first stop may be your general health care provider. Your doctor may be able to recommend a reproductive specialist that works within a certain clinic. Other couples find referrals through friends or family members that have undergone similar procedures.

You'll want to be sure to check the credentials of the doctor helping you conceive and the clinic performing any reproductive procedures.

Some clinics also specialize in donor services. This means they specialize in families who want to donate their eggs or sperm to help other couples conceive. Donating your eggs or sperm to infertile couples may prove a rewarding experience. If you are interested in donating to a fertility clinic, contact a reproductive specialist in your area for additional information. Donating eggs or sperm involves extensive processes, including comprehensive medical evaluation, counseling and testing to ensure that you are a good candidate for IVF treatments and therapy.

Financing Infertility Treatments

Infertility treatments are very expensive and generally not covered by insurance. Your selection criteria for locating a fertility clinic may include finding a clinic that offers financial programs or financing. Some clinics also offer limited warranty or risk programs for couples undergoing expensive procedures including IVF. Many will accept a larger up front fee in some cases, but are able to receive a portion of their money back if the procedure is not successful. This is often offered for only limited sessions, but is well worth investigating for many couples desiring affordable means of infertility treatment.