Waiting in the airport to head to Denver for the first time almost 5 years ago.
This post is part of a paid sponsorship by Ferring Pharmaceuticals.
Good morning everyone!
I hope you are having a wonderful week thus far. I am really thrilled to be a part of today’s discussion and hope that it provides some insight into an option you may not have previously known about when it comes to fertility.
As a bit of background if you are new around here, I struggled with Infertility for several years. After trying to conceive for over a year with no success we sought treatment and it has been a long road. I suffered a few miscarriages; one following an IUI pregnancy and one following a natural pregnancy after having Zain. We were seen in clinics both in Chicago and Denver and conceived both of our beautiful babies via IVF. You can read more in detail about those experiences here!
One of the hardest things for us as a couple and me personally was taking that first step. I’ve spoken about it before but it’s such an intimidating and terrifying time. Like most women I speak to, I knew something was wrong. I wasn’t sure where to turn first, if I needed fertility treatments, how much they would cost, or how could I get an appointment. I mean the list goes on.
So when Fertility House Calls, a program sponsored by Ferring Pharmaceuticals, reached out about partnering on today’s post I was very interested. We spoke at length on an initial call and I truly felt as though they were trying to help women take control of their fertility and make the journey more accessible and less intimidating.
When we first began to explore our options, I had to visit my general OB to review history before being referred to an RE or Reproductive Endocrinologist. Now I feel like access to a clinic is much more straightforward and there is so much more information easily available.
In general, women are advised to seek medical consult if they are under 35 and have been trying to conceive for a year or over 35 and trying to conceive for 6 months with no success. The reality of reaching these milestones can be extremely unsettling and making that first appointment and visiting a fertility clinic feels so scary and unknown.
This is where Fertility House Calls comes in. It is a new program where patients can schedule an initial virtual consultation with a fertility specialist. Being able to video in and chat with a professional from the comfort of your home is a true gift, especially with our current health climate.
So, here’s how it works: You can hop on to the Fertility House Calls website and search your area. Participating clinics will pop up and you can request an initial virtual consultation by just clicking a button! The specific clinic will determine if an experienced fertility nurse or Reproductive Endocrinologist will be present at your appointment and you can also ask the clinic if they have a financial counselor who you can speak with you about cost and insurance coverage. Make sure you come prepared with a list of questions and topics you may want to discuss.
Fertility House Calls is currently offered in Boston, Chicago, Greater Denver, Dallas, Houston, North and Central New Jersey, Greater NY (including Manhattan, Connecticut, and Long Island), and the Washington, DC area (including Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware). They have plans of expanding beyond these areas so if you don’t see your locations listed, don’t worry!
Since one of the most frequent questions I receive is ‘How did you decide where to go?’ ‘What questions did you ask prior?’ I wanted to share a few key things we focused on when choosing a clinic.
- Success Rates: This became the most important factor for us once we really started the process. You can check the SART website for reported data and success rates from participating fertility clinics in the country.
- Is the Lab in house? Some fertility clinic house their own labs on property and some don’t. We wanted the extra security of the lab being on site.
- Cost & Insurance Coverage: Especially with fertility treatment, cost can vary drastically with your specific insurance and provider so make sure to talk with a representative at your insurance provider and the financial coordinator at the clinic you are interested in.
- Distance: We ended up traveling to Denver for fertility treatments and that is obviously something that requires more time and financial commitment. I always say to browse available options close to you but never rule anything out! We ultimately felt the travel was manageable since it was a short direct flight and knew that our clinic was the right fit.
- Support: This was a huge factor for us! Fertility treatments are a rollercoaster of emotions. Having a clinic with the staff to support you and your needs plus go above and beyond is irreplaceable. The group sessions run by the in-house therapist provided at my clinic was some of the most helpful evenings I experienced throughout my journey.
There are always a myriad of things to consider especially since everyone’s fertility needs are different but these were the top 5 factors for us personally. I hope Fertility House Calls helps you feel supported if you need it!
Arriving in Denver for our initial consult the second time around!
ADD A COMMENT