Since going on an IVF journey is not an easy or cheap decision to make, how to choose the right clinic that can offer the best chance of success is a very important question. Is it worth traveling the extra miles to do your IVF in a bigger clinic? But how do you know if bigger is better?
Here we will explain the factors that can help you tell the differences between IVF clinics in Australia.
- Success rate
A number could speak louder than words, if it is properly calculated! Be very suspicious if a clinic puts vague statement like “High success rate” on its website instead of proper numbers.
In Australia, success rate should also not just be one number, but multiple rates and accompanying explanations.
According to the Fertility Society Australia, success rates must:
- Be divided by age
- Specify live birth rates for fresh and frozen embryo transfers separately
- Be accompanied with clarifying information
- Be accompanied by factors that affect success rates such as age, weight and cause of infertility
- Provides consumers (you) a link to “Interpreting Pregnancy Rates: a consumer guide“
For example, you can see 30 different percentages on the Success Rates page of the Melbourne IVF. This way, you can find the success rate that is most relevant to you.
- Trusted practitioners
Although success rate is a good indication of a clinic’s ability, there are other factors that could influence your choice of IVF clinics and success. Having a fertility specialist and nurses that make you feel comfortable is key. After all, a clinic’s success rate doesn’t equal your own satisfaction on this journey. Putting yourself in an environment you trust will make the whole experience less stressful.
- Latest technology
Assisted reproductive technology is a field that is advancing very quickly. New research is constantly underway to improve our available technology in the clinic. For example, a new technology called Ivy uses artificial intelligence to predict the likelihood of an embryo to result in a viable pregnancy. Such cutting-edge technologies could potentially improve IVF efficiency dramatically when optimised in fertility clinics. A clinic that is updated with latest research and adopts new technologies could stand out from the crowd.
- Size of the clinic
Generally, a bigger and more established fertility clinic may offer better results than smaller clinics. A bigger clinic may have more funds to invest in the latest technology and hire senior staff with higher qualifications. An embryologist who has done research and earned a PhD is probably more aware of the latest research in the field. A bigger clinic may also notice any error or inefficiency in the treatment process quicker than a smaller clinic. Due to the sheer number of patients treated and embryos grown inside a bigger clinic, it is necessary to optimise all the equipment and staff performance to ensure quality and consistency.