-
Step 1
Network with other infertile couples. The grapevine is incredibly helpful and an excellent place to find out who the best fertility specialists or infertility clinics are. The IVF Connections message board is a good place to start as is Resolve.org (Resolve is a national infertility agency). Stirrup Queens maintains a massive blog roll, by diagnosis and by infertility experiences, of all the infertile bloggers. Finding people who have the same diagnosis, the same treatment, or who can make you laugh hysterically about infertility will not just keep you sane, but help you get pregnant as well.(See the Resources Sections for links to sites mentioned in this step.)
-
Step 2
Know the statistics. What is the success rate of the fertility treatment center? How well are cycles monitored? How will pregnancy multiples be prevented? Are the fertility specialists affiliated with any hospitals or are they a freestanding center (in which case how are complications such as infection or Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome handled)?
-
Step 3
Determine what insurance will cover. Some states require infertility treatments to be covered. Some employers have insurance policies that cover fertility treatments as well. Most don't, however, but know what you're dealing with. In addition, note that diagnostics are usually covered by all insurance (see step 4 for more information on this)
-
Step 4
Start out with fertility specialists and clinics covered by your insurance. Insurance will typically cover the cost of diagnosis and tests (i.e. blood work, ultrasounds, HSG) performed to determine the root cause of the infertility--staying in-network for these tests will save you thousands of dollars. Once these tests are done, request copies and then feel free to shop around for infertility centers.
-
Step 5
Understand your fertility treatment options. Read books on the topic, talk to people on message boards and keep up with medical news. Knowledge is power and it makes a big difference in fertility treatments. Involved patients compensate for the general lack of enforceable standards in the infertility industry by directing their care and being able to differentiate between good and bad fertility clinics.
-
Step 6
Don't give up hope. Never stop believing that someday you will find your happy ending. Infertility is grueling and heart breaking, but someday you will be happy again. Some people get lucky and become pregnant very quickly. Others slog through years of pain and heartache before they find a place of peace and joy again. However, you _will_ find it. You _will_ know joy and love and happiness. Don't ever give up on yourself.
