|
|
Get a second opinion - this can never hurt and is always helpful. If you find two experts saying the same thing then you know you are on the right track! If, on the other hand, they disagree, don't get upset - there are few black and white areas in infertility, and doctors often have different ways of treating a particular problem. Ask questions of both of them and then choose the method, which appeals to you - it's finally your decision!
What if you don't understand what the doctor is saying and are getting confused? This is not your fault. If you do not understand anything the doctor says - ask questions! If you still do not understand the fault is his - he is not explaining in terms, which you can follow. Find another doctor!
Remember that you need to ask questions to get answers - your doctor cannot read your mind! But also remember that your doctor does not have all the answers - after all, medicine is still an imperfect science, and your doctor is not a fortune-teller. If he does not know the answer, he should tell you this as well.
How do we do a consultation in our practice? We first ask the couple why they think they have not been able to conceive, and how they expect us to be able to help them. The answers give us a good idea of how much the couple understands about their problem. It's often heartbreaking when we see couples who have been through 3 IVF cycles, and don't even know how many eggs they grew or how many embryos were transferred each time - or even why the IVF was done in the first place. During a consultation, we first explain, using models, how babies are made. We then review the medical records, and explain to the patient what we feel their medical problem is. We then explain to them what the treatment options are, and tell them to think about these and then make up their mind. In our clinic, we do not charge for a repeat consultation, in order to encourage patients to ask questions, and to give them time to make up their own mind. We take pride in the fact that our patients have a good understanding of their medical problem, and realistic expectations of how we can help them!
Remember that the purpose of a consultation is to get information. If you do your homework before going, you will be able to make better use of your doctor's time, since you can focus on the issues, which are important to you. You then need to go home and process this information, so you can decide what to do. It's very difficult to think straight when you are sitting in front of the doctor, so it's usually a good idea to give yourself enough time to apply your mind and assimilate the information, before making a decision. There is usually no urgency, since infertility treatment is never an emergency. Beware of a doctor who wants you to decide on the spot - it's hard to do so under pressure, and you may end up making a decision in haste, which you may then repent at leisure.
As an infertile patient, you are very liable to being exploited - and quacks in this field abound! Suspect your doctor's credentials when:
© Dr. Aniruddha Malpani and Dr. Anjali Malpani www.drmalpani.com
Credits: How to Have a Baby: Overcoming Infertility
