Patient: Dr. Malpani, I’m ready to start IVF, but I’m nervous about choosing the right clinic. There are so many options, and I don’t know how to tell if a clinic is trustworthy.
Dr. Malpani: I completely understand your concern. In a perfect world, every IVF clinic would offer the same high-quality care, but unfortunately, that’s not the case. Many clinics are run by gynaecologists who aren’t specialised in IVF, and they often lack the expertise to handle the complexities of IVF treatment.
Patient: So, how do I know if a clinic is good or not?
Dr. Malpani: There are a few key things to look for. First, you should ensure that the clinic has a well-equipped IVF laboratory with experienced embryologists. The quality of the embryologist makes a huge difference in IVF success. A skilled embryologist will nurture your embryos, while an inexperienced one could harm them. Sadly, many patients only learn this after their first cycle fails.
Patient: That sounds scary. How can I avoid this?
Dr. Malpani: The best way to avoid bad clinics is by educating yourself before you commit. Many patients don’t know what to expect, so they trust clinics blindly. Some clinics will hide key information—like how many eggs were retrieved or the quality of your embryos. They might even withhold photos of your embryos. This lack of transparency is a huge red flag.
Patient: What should I expect from a good clinic?
Dr. Malpani: A good clinic will be open and transparent with you. They’ll share a detailed treatment plan upfront, provide you with photos of your embryos, and clearly explain each step of the process. They won’t upsell unnecessary treatments or blame you if a cycle fails. Instead, they’ll work with you to find the best solution.
Patient: I’ve heard some patients get blamed for failed cycles. Is that common?
Dr. Malpani: Sadly, yes. In some clinics, when a cycle fails, doctors might tell patients that it was due to poor egg or sperm quality. They might then push the patient to use donor eggs or sperm for the next cycle. Unfortunately, many patients realise too late that they were misled. That’s why it’s so important to do your homework and find a clinic that treats you with honesty and respect.
Patient: How can I educate myself before choosing a clinic?
Dr. Malpani: The best way is to arm yourself with reliable information. We provide tonnes of free, high-quality resources on our website at www.drmalpani.com to help patients make informed decisions. There are comic books, videos, and articles that explain every aspect of IVF in simple terms. This knowledge will help you choose the right clinic and avoid being misled.
Patient: That’s really helpful. What should I look for in a treatment plan?
Dr. Malpani: Look for a clinic that will transfer a single top-quality blastocyst at a time, rather than pushing for multiple embryo transfers. Make sure they’re transparent about every step, including sharing photos of your embryos, and avoid clinics that upsell unnecessary treatments or tests.
Patient: Thank you, Dr. Malpani. This makes me feel much more confident about choosing the right clinic.
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