Planning Guide

Plan your treatment

A checklist to support your planning across every stage of fertility treatment — from first thoughts through to recovery.

If you are looking for resources to help you navigate your fertility journey, this planning guide gives you an simple overview of the decisions you can expect to make and the information you need for an informed and successful journey ahead.

Before you begin

You would want to understand the options that are available to you and evaluate them against your needs. Depending on your objectives, you may consider different treatment options and begin your journey abroad vs. locally.

Taking stock of your own health condition, as well as your partner's, is important. If you have not done so already, get a fertility evaluation to understand the status of your reproductive health before considering what to do next.

Evaluate your needs and priorities
Know what is important for you and why you are considering a fertility treatment.
Consider your medical condition
Take note of any pre-existing symptoms and conditions you have related to your general and reproductive health.
Undergo fertility evaluation
Visit a fertility specialist for an assessment of your and/or your partner's fertility.

Picking a treatment

Having an initial idea of the type of treatment you prefer and why it suits you helps you better leverage your time in consultations with fertility specialists and saves costs on shopping around.

Lean into your support system — whether it is a family member, a friend or a professional counsellor — to help you get ready for the treatment ahead.

Understand your treatment options
Learn about the treatments and technologies available and form an initial view of what could be applicable for you.
Assess your suitability
Review the factors and constraints that impact the treatment options available to you.
Loop in your support system
Find a trusted circle that understands and supports your decision to undergo fertility treatment.

Select location and clinic

Carefully consider where to undergo fertility treatment. The options available to you could vary based on local regulations and costs. Do not take logistical constraints lightly — they can significantly influence your experience and outcomes.

The clinic is as important as the fertility specialist you engage with, so evaluate the provider holistically to avoid disappointments. Understand the quality of both their clinical services and their embryology lab.

Pick a location to start in
Find out if specific legal restrictions apply to your eligibility for particular fertility treatment options.
Consider the costs
Have a budget in mind before deciding on the location, clinic and doctor you would like to choose, to avoid disappointment and wasted time and money.
Choose your clinic and doctor
Consider the services and care of the clinic holistically and know what to ask in your first consultation.

In the cycle

Now that you have decided to go ahead, you begin your journey after the first consultation with the clinic and doctor of your choice.

You want your mind and body to be properly prepared and stress-free. Have a plan covering your treatment, logistics and recovery. While there can be uncertainties on the medical side — for example how your body reacts to medications — the other aspects can be managed so you go through the cycle as comfortably as possible.

Determine your treatment plan
Have a clear alignment with your doctor on the treatment you undergo and check in with the finance/payment team to avoid any surprise bills.
Prepare your body and mind
Conduct the necessary blood work and tests ahead of time and put together a preparation regimen that works for you.
Put together a logistics plan
From administering medication, to taking days off work, to arranging pick-up post egg retrieval — plan the logistics beforehand.
Manage potential side effects
Be aware of possible side effects and prepare remedies that could help ease your discomfort.

After treatment

While you can breathe a sigh of relief once you have completed your treatment procedures, you have officially entered the part of the journey where things become increasingly less in your direct control. Over the next few days or weeks you receive reports on the attrition and survival rate of your eggs and embryos, or take a pregnancy test.

Know that you are not alone in feeling vulnerable, and focus on your recovery. The final results are affected by many factors — the best you can do is keep an open mind on the outcome and make plans for storage, transfer or the next cycle, whichever is appropriate for you.

Focus on your recovery
People may experience varying side effects from the retrieval procedures and should take time to recover before intense physical activities.
Get ready for the outcomes
Learn about the probable attrition and understand the basics of the analyses and test results. Find out who you can contact if you have questions.
Confirm your storage and/or transfer plan
Ensure there is clarity on storage logistics and financing arrangements so that you know what to expect until any future transfer.
Evaluate the need for another cycle
Depending on the results, you may want to consider another cycle of fertility treatment. Consult with your doctor on what the best path forward is for you.