IVF Questions for RE

[Anonymous]

I am meeting with the RE next week to discuss moving on to IVF. Those of you who have been through this, are there specific things that I should be asking him? What do I need to know? Are there things that you would've liked to know prior to your cycles?? Thanks so much!

[Anonymous]

There are a lot posts on ?s to ask your RE if you do a search. So much depends on why your seeking IVF.

Make sure you understand whether the % chance of success he quotes you are chance of live birth vs. chance of getting pregnant. Make sure you know what the RE's philosophy is about # embryos to transfer on day 5 - that will give you an idea of how okay they are with multiples. Ask what protocol you will start with first, and specifically why that is being selected for you.

[Anonymous]

OP here, thank you.. I have been working with an RE, but we are going to move on from IUI, now.. a little intimidating...thanks again for your response!

[Anonymous]

I would ask about further diagnostic testing. Ask if by looking at your prior IUI attempts, the RE thinks your IVF attempt has a shot based on follicles and sperm quality.

I would also ask about lab quality and technology. REs are smart accomplished doctors, but they are only as good as their labs. Ask if their lab uses the latest techiniques and if a cycle fails what do they do differently the next time around.

[Anonymous]

Just off the top of my head --

Any special package deals? What are the rules on frozen embryo transfers? Must use all frozen before fresh cycle? How many fresh vs. frozen cycles included in the price?

What are the protocols on freezing? Day one or two or 7 or 8 (less likelihood of getting frozen embryos)? Are you assigned on point of contact (nurse) or will multiple people be dealing with you? Who will be doing the embryo retrieval surgeries? Your dr. or someone else? How many embryos does the practice allow for transfer each time? Any restrictions on number of tries before they suggest donor eggs? What is covered in the cost - if you get pregnant do you pay extra for time before you are transferred to OBGYN? Are miscarriage surgeries included in IVF price?

Best of luck!