Planning guide for your fertility treatment
If you are looking for resources to help you navigate your fertility journey, here is a checklist to support your planning across different stages of treatment.
We hope the following planning guide will give you an overview of the decisions you expect to make and information you need to ensure an informed and successful journey ahead.
For more information, book a free discovery call or planning consultation with us.
We hope the following planning guide will give you an overview of the decisions you expect to make and information you need to ensure an informed and successful journey ahead.
For more information, book a free discovery call or planning consultation with us.
1. Before you begin
You would want to understand the options that are available to you and evaluate them against your needs. Depending on your objectives, you may consider different treatment options and begin your journey abroad vs. locally.
Taking stock of your own health condition, as well as your partner's is important. If you have not done so already, get a fertility evaluation to understand the status of your reproductive health, before considering what to do next.
Taking stock of your own health condition, as well as your partner's is important. If you have not done so already, get a fertility evaluation to understand the status of your reproductive health, before considering what to do next.
Evaluate your needs and priorities: Know what is important for you and why you are considering a fertility treatment
Consider your medical condition: Take note of any pre-existing symptoms and conditions you have related to your general and reproductive health
Undergo fertility evaluation: Visit a fertility specialist for an assessment of your and/or your partner’s fertility
2. Picking a treatment
Having an initial idea of the type of treatment you prefer and why it suits you would help you better leverage your time in the consultation with fertility specialists and save costs on shopping around.
Lean into your support system, whether it is a family member, a friend or a professional counselor to help you get ready for the treatment ahead.
Lean into your support system, whether it is a family member, a friend or a professional counselor to help you get ready for the treatment ahead.
Understand your treatment options: Learn about the treatments and technologies available and form an initial view of what could be applicable for you
Assess your suitability: Review the factors and constraints that impact the treatment options available to you
Loop in your support system: Find a trusted circle that understands and supports your decision to undergo fertility treatment
3. Select location and clinic
You should carefully consider where to undergo fertility treatment. The options available to you could vary based on local regulations and costs. Also, do not take logistical constraints lightly as they could significantly influence your experience and outcomes.
The clinic is as important as the fertility specialist you engage with so evaluate the provider holistically to avoid disappointments. Understand the quality of both their clinical services as well as embryology lab.
The clinic is as important as the fertility specialist you engage with so evaluate the provider holistically to avoid disappointments. Understand the quality of both their clinical services as well as embryology lab.
Pick a location to start in: Find out if specific legal restrictions apply to your eligibility for specific fertility treatment options
Consider the costs: Have a budget in mind before deciding on the location, clinic and doctor you would like to choose to avoid any disappointments and waste of time and money
Choose your clinic and doctor: Consider the services and care of the clinic holistically and know what to ask in your first consultation
4. In the cycle
Now that you have decided to go ahead, you begin your journey after the first consultation with the clinic and doctor of your choice.
You would want your mind and body to be properly prepared and stress-free. To do that, it is important to have a plan covering your treatment, logistics and recovery. While there could be uncertainties on the medical side, e.g. how your body would actually react to the medications, we could try to manage the other aspects so that you can go through the cycle as comfortably as possible.
You would want your mind and body to be properly prepared and stress-free. To do that, it is important to have a plan covering your treatment, logistics and recovery. While there could be uncertainties on the medical side, e.g. how your body would actually react to the medications, we could try to manage the other aspects so that you can go through the cycle as comfortably as possible.
Determine your treatment plan: Have a clear alignment with your doctor on the treatment you undergo and check in with the finance/payment team to avoid any surprise bills
Prepare your body and mind: Conduct the necessary blood work and tests ahead of time and put together a preparation regimen that works for you
Put together a logistics plan: From administering your medication, taking days off work, to arranging your pick-up post egg retrieval, make sure you plan out the logistics beforehand
Manage potential side effects: Be aware of possible side effects and make preparation for remedies that could help ease your discomfort
5. After treatment
While you can breathe a sigh of relief when you have successfully completed your treatment procedures, you have officially entered the part of the journey where things become increasingly less in your direct control. Over the next few days and/or weeks, you receive reports on the attrition and survival rate of your eggs and embryos or even be conducting a pregnancy test.
Know that you are not alone in feeling vulnerable and focus on your recovery. The final results could be affected by many factors, the best you can do is keep an open mind on the outcome and make plans for storage, transfer or the next cycle, whichever is appropriate for you.
Know that you are not alone in feeling vulnerable and focus on your recovery. The final results could be affected by many factors, the best you can do is keep an open mind on the outcome and make plans for storage, transfer or the next cycle, whichever is appropriate for you.
Focus on your recovery: People may experience varying side effects from the retrieval procedures and should take time to recover before intense physical activities.
Get ready for the outcomes: Learn about the probable attrition and understand the basics of the analyses and test results. Find out who you could contact if you have questions.
Confirm your storage and/or transfer plan: Ensure there is clarity in the storage logistics and financing arrangements so that you know what to expect until future transfer.
Evaluate the need for another cycle: Depending on the results, you may want to consider another cycle of fertility treatment. Consult with your doctor on what the best path forward is for you.
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