Infertility
treatment is always elective, which is why I try to offer as many treatment options as
possible to patients, so they can pick and choose which the right one is for
themselves .
For
example, patients with unexplained infertility can choose to do either IUI or
IVF. Now, when I offer the patient a choice, they get very confused , because
they don't know what they should do . They want a doctor who will make the decision
for them.
While I'm
happy to offer guidance, I don't want to be paternalistic , and I remind them that
I'm not a mind reader – I don’t know what your personal preferences are.
The truth
is that every treatment has advantages and disadvantages. The advantage of IVF
is that it maximizes your chance of getting pregnant quickly , and you also
have peace of mind you did your best and didn’t leave any stone unturned. Thus, if you are older, and if money is not a
constraint, then it’s best to go in for IVF , so you can have a baby quickly
and move on with your life.
On the
other hand , IVF is more expensive, and if finances are a constraint , then it
makes sense to consider IUI. These are decisions
which doctors should not be making , and that's why we need to empower patients
to make the right choice for themselves.
If they
have thought through the pros and cons of both the options, they can make a
well informed decision, so they have peace of mind they have done their best.
Please
listen to your gut and follow your heart – there are often no wrong answers,
and you need to find the answer which is right for you !
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