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Many couples ask us whether they should travel abroad for treatment. Fortunately, the quality of medical care available in leading IVF clinics in India today is easily on par with the world's best clinics, since they use exactly the same equipment, and the same techniques. In fact, IVF treatment in India is an excellent bargain by international standards, since you are getting exactly the same quality of treatment you would get anywhere else in the world - at a fraction of the cost. This is why so many IVF clinics in India routinely treat infertile couples from overseas.
How does the quality of care in the smaller towns in India compare with that available in the metropolises? Do you always have to travel to a clinic in a large city for treatment? Since there are no standards or regulations (IVF clinics in India today do not need to meet any quality control criteria) you need to be an educated shopper! While the quality of care can be quite good in smaller towns, most of the reputed clinics are in the larger cities. These bigger programs are usually better, because they are busier, and more experienced, and busy IVF programs (which perform more than 150 treatment cycles per year) have been shown to have higher pregnancy rates. However, very busy clinics may not be able to provide you with the personalized care you need, and some can be quite uncaring, so that they make you feel that you are just a cog in a machine. For simpler treatment such as IUI, it is best to look for a good clinic in your own town. However, for advanced treatments, you may be better off going to an established clinic. While travelling can add to your stress and expense, many infertile couples actually prefer not having to take treatment in the city that they live, as they would like to protect their privacy.
Remember, you are in charge of your own medical care! Medicine, as both a science and art, often requires choices and there are no "right" answers - you need to make your own decisions. After all, it's your body and your life!
You have a vital interest in treatment decisions and outcomes but lack the medical knowledge and skill to decide alone. The concept of a team - the medical caregivers (doctors, nurses, specialists) and you (the couple), working together, allows each to contribute to a successful outcome and offers you a sense of control over your infertility care.
Your role on the medical team is multifaceted - you need to wear many hats when you are an infertile patient!
Medical Information Researcher: The more knowledgeable you are about your problem and its treatment, the better are your chances of getting pregnant. Educate yourself - you need to become an informed participant in your infertility care in order to ask the right questions and to participate in making decisions about your treatment. After all, what's the point of being intelligent if you cannot use your intelligence to help solve your own problems? You will also need to be able to critically assess press and media reports about "new breakthroughs in infertility treatment"; and whether these are relevant to your problem or not. An Infertility Support Group Reference Library can be very helpful. A friend who is a doctor can also help in separating the wheat from the chaff. While you do not need to become a doctor, you do need to become an expert on your own problem! You cannot afford to leave everything up to god - or up to the doctor!
Medical Team Manager: Remember - you are the one in charge! You will have to locate, choose, evaluate and sometimes fire members of the medical team.
Treatment Decision Maker: Although your doctor may be better equipped technically to select treatments, the ultimate decision rests with you. Each new treatment phase requires new decisions - allow yourself time to choose and be comfortable before starting a new treatment.
Treatment Monitor: You are the "expert" on what is normal for you - so record and report reactions. Combining medical and patient information helps to improve the odds for successful treatment.
Medical Record Keeper: You must keep all your records - this can be very helpful if you need to change doctors or get a second opinion. File all records in reverse chronological order and also prepare a one-page summary sheet of what you've been through.
Financial Manager: Infertility treatment can be very expensive - and sometimes it seems to be an endless drain on your financial resources. You must be aware of the costs involved - and you need to decide if you can afford these.
Communicator: Because infertility involves such personal matters as reproduction and sexuality, people sometimes find it embarrassing to discuss their concerns. It is important that you be open and honest with your doctor. Ask questions, listen to the answers and take notes. It often helps to write down your questions before your appointment, so you do not forget important concerns in the stress of the consultation. Remember, the only stupid question is the one you don't ask - so don't hesitate to ask!
© Dr. Aniruddha Malpani and Dr. Anjali Malpani www.drmalpani.com
Credits: How to Have a Baby: Overcoming Infertility
