For some patients, taking the first step to starting fertility treatment can be scary. Don’t let these common fears keep you from achieving your dreams of growing your family. At Shady Grove Fertility, the resounding feedback we hear from our patients is that if they had to do it all over again, they wish they had started fertility treatment sooner. Sometimes, fear can even cause procrastination but that procrastination can adversely affect outcome, as fertility potential, in many ways, is affected by age. By waiting and putting off action, your options have the potential to diminish the longer you wait.
Common Fear #1: I won’t be able to afford fertility treatment.
While it can feel unfair that you have to work so hard for something that comes free to others, the reality for many patients is fertility treatment is more obtainable than they realized. For those with insurance, 90 percent will have coverage for their initial consultation and 70 percent will go on to have some level of coverage for their testing and treatment.
When insurance isn’t an option, there are a variety of discount and guarantee programs available exclusively for Shady Grove Fertility patients. Our most popular is the Shared Help Discount Program. This program provides patients with a reduced rate on services rendered at SGF based on their income. Many patients are also eligible for our exclusive 100 percent refund option for IVF and donor egg treatment. Read more about the insurance and financial options available at Shady Grove Fertility.
Common Fear #2: IVF is my only option.
This is one of the most common misconceptions when it comes to starting fertility treatment. While in vitro fertilization (IVF) is a popular and very effective treatment option, most people don’t start with IVF treatment unless it is medically indicated. Half of the treatment performed at SGF are more basic forms of infertility treatment, such as intrauterine insemination (IUI). This more affordable treatment is often covered by insurance and, in many cases, is required before patients can access their IVF benefits. Learn more about IUI treatment.
Common Fear #3: I will end up like Octomom.
Not only is that a fear patients have but it is also a fear our physicians have as well! It is a well-proven fact that high-order multiples are risky and therefore something we try to avoid in all cases. Safety is a top priority for our physicians and that safely is not just for you but also for your child(ren). Our goal is always a singleton pregnancy, and for patients who do require IVF treatment, that is most frequently achieved through an elective single embryo transfer (eSET), the practice of choosing to transfer a single embryo at a time. Retrospective SGF data has shown that in women under the age of 35 without a history of failed IVF treatment, transferring multiple embryos has little impact on the pregnancy rates but does have a significant impact on the rate of multiples. Learn more about eSET.
Common Fear #4: The subject matter is embarrassing and I’m afraid I’ll be judged.
For some people, talking about their period and the details of their sex life with someone whom they just met can be uncomfortable. Remember this “stranger” is a specially trained medical professional who understands you might not be at ease at first. However, for them, they’ve made it their life’s work to help people just like you realize your dream of a family. Many on the staff at SGF have also been in your shoes; therefore, we treat each patient who comes through our doors with utmost compassion and respect.
Common Fear #5: There is something wrong with me—I’m broken.
Don’t get me wrong, you are special, but when it comes to your ability to conceive, you aren’t as unique as you probably think. With one in eight couples who have trouble conceiving, you certainly aren’t alone and are actually in some pretty good company. There is also a good chance that the cause of your infertility might not even have to do with you. The cause of infertility is pretty evenly split, with 40 percent of infertility due to a female factor and another 40 percent due to a male factor. The remaining 20 percent is due to a combination of the male and female partner or of unknown causes. Read more about the causes of infertility.
Taking the first step to starting fertility treatment is easier than you think. It starts with a conversation. Our New Patient Center liaisons are just a phone call away. They are here to assist you and answer your questions. Make the call that could change everything: 1-877-971-7755.
