Questions to Ask When Choosing the Right Fertility Clinic for IVF

Daphne is Spring's Senior Manager of Content Marketing. She's passionate about educating people on reproductive health and building communities to support people through their fertility journeys. See more articles from Daphne Thompson

We understand that determining in vitro fertilization (IVF) is the next step toward building the family of your dreams can be a really emotional decision, and finding the “right” fertility clinic to guide you through this process can feel overwhelming. As you research potential clinics to entrust with your care, asking questions and considering key factors will empower you to make informed decisions that align with your needs and goals on your path to parenthood.

Questions to Ask When Choosing a Fertility Clinic:

1. Success Rates

What are the clinic's success rates for IVF procedures?
Can they provide data on live births resulting from IVF treatments?
How do their success rates compare to national averages?*

*While clinic outcome data is important when choosing a clinic you can trust, it’s also important to understand if the clinic is willing to work with you on an individualized treatment plan to help you achieve your complete family-building goals and desired outcome.

2. Testing and Treatment Options

What fertility treatments does the clinic offer in addition to IVF and what tests will they perform prior to determining your treatment plan?
Does the clinic have on-site reproductive urology services to best treat male factor issues
Do they provide a range of services, including egg freezing, genetic testing, and third-party reproduction (using donor eggs, donor sperm, and/or a gestational carrier to achieve pregnancy)?

3. Personalized Care Plans

How does the clinic approach personalized treatment plans?
Will the fertility team tailor the treatment protocol to your specific needs and circumstances?
Is there a focus on identifying and addressing individual factors that may impact fertility?

4. Appointment Scheduling & Wait Times

Does the clinic offer extended monitoring hours to accommodate your professional and personal schedule while undergoing your IVF cycle?
Who are you seeing during your monitoring appointment? Are your scans being done by a lab technician you’ve never met, or a fertility specialist who understands you and your unique case?
After your initial fertility consultation, will there be a wait before you’re able to be scheduled to begin treatment, or can they begin care as soon as you and your body are ready to start?

5. Financial Transparency

What are the costs associated with IVF, and how are they communicated prior to and throughout treatment?’
Does the clinic offer financial counseling, assistance programs, or grant opportunities to help make treatment more financially accessible to their patients?
- Spring Fertility offers IVF grant support through the Spring Together Foundation, and also works closely with Future Family, who offer fertility payment plans.
Are there any potential additional costs that you should be prepared for should they factor into your plan?

6. Patient Support Services

What support services does the clinic provide to patients during and after treatment?
Are there counseling services available for emotional support?
Is there a dedicated patient coordinator to guide you through the process?

7. Technology & Laboratories

How is the clinic's embryology laboratory rated?
What grading system does the embryology lab use to determine embryo quality?
What technology and equipment does the clinic use for IVF procedures?
- Spring Fertility was the first clinic in the world to replicate the uterine environment by reducing oxidative stress on eggs and embryos in the lab, contributing to a higher number of higher quality embryos during blastocyst development.

8. Communication & Accessibility

What communication channels are in place for regular updates during treatment cycles, and to have your questions and concerns answered throughout the process?
Is there a dedicated contact person for emergencies or urgent queries?

Additional Factors to Consider When Choosing a Fertility Clinic:

1. Past Patient Reviews & Experiences

When it comes to choosing a fertility clinic, sometimes the most helpful information can be gained from reading and listening to other people’s experiences at the clinic you’re considering. Patient reviews and testimonials can be a helpful way to understand what other patients like you believe the clinic does really well as well as the areas in which they think the clinic could improve.

2. Location

Consider the clinic's location in relation to your home or workplace, and how convenient it is to travel to. During treatment cycles, you’ll have to visit the clinic frequently for monitoring appointments, so it can be helpful to choose a clinic that can fit into being just one small part of your day, rather than a full-day time commitment.

3. Clinic Environment

An initial fertility consultation is a great way to visit the clinic to see if its atmosphere is one you’ll feel comfortable in. Additionally, the consult is your opportunity to meet your doctor and your broader care team. While going through treatment, you deserve to feel fully seen, heard, and respected by every person you interact with.

4. Accessibility of Resources

Fertility treatment can feel like an overwhelming and isolating experience, so it’s important to know what additional resources your clinic provides to make sure you are fully supported every step of the way. Evaluate the availability of resources such as educational materials, support groups, and counseling services.

5. Patient-Centric Approach

As you build your family through IVF, you deserve to feel like a whole person - not a number. Choose a clinic that prioritizes your time, resources, and needs and will come up with a treatment plan that prioritizes you, the patient. Patient-centric approach also includes the clinic’s communication style, scheduled monitoring appointments, and warm touches along the way.

6. Innovative Techniques

Look for clinics that stay abreast of technological advancements and innovative techniques in fertility treatments, and inquire about the clinic's willingness to explore new methods that may benefit your specific case.

Choosing the right fertility clinic for your IVF journey is a pivotal step toward realizing your dream of parenthood. By asking pertinent questions and considering key factors, you empower yourself to make an informed decision when choosing a fertility clinic that aligns with you and your family’s unique needs, values, and aspirations.