Pick a Fertility Doctor

Pick a Reproductive Endocrinologist (Fertility / IVF Doctor)

Your Fertility / IVF doctor should have success rates that are compatible with the best IVF clinics.
Make sure your fertility / IVF doctor is also a Reproductive Endocrinologist and not just an OB-GYN. You need the expertise from someone who specializes in IVF and infertility problems.
It is important that the fertility / IVF doctor performs the retrieval and transfers himself. Some clinics allow the nurse practitioner to perform these procedures.
The 3-day transfer is when the embryo(s) are transferred to the uterus 3 days after they are fertilized. The 5-day transfer is the newest technology; it is when embryos are transferred to the uterus 5 days after the embryo is fertilized. The decision of which to use is one that should be discussed with your doctor but for a woman with healthy eggs, the 5-day transfer is usually the best choice. Make sure you chose a doctor that offers both.
The process called Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is when the egg is held in place while a single sperm is directly injected into the egg. This process has been known to increase fertility rates; therefore, it is important for the embryologist to have years of experience performing ICSIs and he must have high success rates. .
Discoveries are being made everyday for IVF patients therefore, chose a doctor that keeps up with the lasted technology. Also request a meeting with the embryologist to make sure he/she is also well qualified and experienced.
Make sure your fertility doctor is also a surgeon.
If the doctor that you chose has a psychological counselor on staff, consider it a bonus because IVF is a very stressful process and not all doctors think a councilor is necessary.
Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) – one of the early embryonic cells are removed on “Day 3” of growth and analyzed for genetic abnormalities. If the embryo contains a genetic disease or has additional or missing chromosomes, implantation will not occur. In the rare case that implantation occurs, a genetic birth defect may result. The better doctors in the U.S. offer the PGD process.
Any doctor, especially your fertility doctor, should take the time to answer all your questions. This is the biggest complaint on the infertility message forums.