Fertility treatments can be difficult and sensitive for several people as they are not easy to treat. Many medical errors can surface during the treatment. We listed the top 5 tips to avoid medical errors with fertility treatment to make your life easier.
- CHOOSE THE RIGHT CLINIC
One of the most essential factors in avoiding any medical error is choosing the right clinic. One should always check the success rates of the clinics before deciding to undergo treatment from it. As the rate of infertility patients is booming across the world, so are the number of clinics specializing in it. Though, one should not solely rely on the success rate online as it can be manipulated and can be misleading at times.
It is always a good idea to check with friends and relatives who have already undergone fertility treatment and get feedback and reviews from them about the clinics they have been to. Or one could also get recommendations from their gynecologist as they are probably the best people in the profession and can guide better than anyone else. Also, checking with previous patients of the concerned clinic can help in choosing the perfect place to undergo the fertility treatment.
- CHECK THE CREDENTIALS
It is always important for a patient to know the doctor well before getting their infertility treatment done under him. It becomes one of the best ways to avoid any kind of medical errors in infertility cases. One should always check if the concerned doctor is a member of an infertility-related medical board certified in that region. Additionally, one must also check if there are any complaints against the doctor under whom the treatment is to be carried out.
Success rates of doctors can be found online and from his previous patients. It is a very important task to check the review of the doctor as a precaution against any medical error. And not only the doctor but one must also check the credentials of the nurses and staff working in the clinic as they are responsible for the handling of embryos and gametes. It is important to ensure that the clinic as a whole team is efficient in their specific roles.
As emphasized by Verywell Health, healthcare background checks play a vital role in validating various aspects of a doctor’s profile. These checks encompass verifying their qualifications, examining patient testimonies, assessing success and failure statistics in patient treatments. Undertaking these measures can effectively safeguard you from potential risks associated with engaging with unqualified healthcare providers.
- READ THROUGH THE DISCLOSURE POLICY
Even before couples or patients start their infertility treatment from a particular clinic, they should go through the disclosure policies of the clinic thoroughly. Ideally, every good clinic should have a written policy for disclosing errors in case any takes place. Since in an infertility clinic, a group of people is responsible for the proper medical treatment of gametes and embryos like retrieving, transferring, and storage, it is likely that errors can take place due to miscommunication or lack of coordination.
In such cases, the clinic needs to disclose its error to the patient and maintain an environment of ethical practices in the clinic. This can in turn prevent any further errors in treatment while maintaining a relationship of trust with the patient. Also, analyzing the cause of such errors, like switching of gametes or embryos, can help the clinic to reduce and prevent such errors in the future.
- SAY ‘NO’ TO ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, AND CAFFEINE
One of the major causes of infertility is the excessive consumption of tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine. It is always suggested by doctors specializing in infertility treatment to cut out on these three things, to improve the fertility rate in both men and women. And for patients undergoing infertility treatment, the intake of alcohol is a big no-no. Chewing tobacco or smoking adversely affects the fertility rate and also affects the baby growing inside the mother’s body negatively.
Studies show that men or women who smoke excessively at the time of conception can cause birth defects in the baby. It is also proven that excessive consumption of alcohol and caffeine-infused drinks affect infertility in both males and females. Doctors all over the world suggest that caffeine and alcohol should be avoided by patients trying to conceive through fertility treatment as it might increase the chance of miscarriage and other medical complications.
Based on a comprehensive study of 1786 men undergoing infertility evaluation (655 smokers and 1131 nonsmokers) conducted by Kunzle et al., as published in the Health Institute of Health, it was demonstrated that smoking showed significant associations with reductions in sperm density (15.3%), total sperm counts (17.5%), and total motile sperm (16.6%) when compared to nonsmokers.
- A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle forms an integral part of infertility treatments. Most clinics treating infertility cases promote a healthy lifestyle as a part of its fertility plan and healthy lifestyle programs are conducted by clinics with the best reviews. It is very well known that unhealthy habits like eating junk food, not exercising enough, keeping stress at all times can mess with the fertility of both male and female patients. Obesity, for example, plays a major negative role in pregnancy rates and overall health of the baby.
As per a post published on the Your Fertility website, obesity can have significant impacts on the body and disrupt ovulation. Even individuals who are underweight are at an elevated risk of facing ovulation-related issues. Additionally, overweight and obese women tend to have higher levels of a hormone called leptin, which is produced by fatty tissue. This hormone imbalance can disrupt the normal reproductive hormone levels and ultimately lead to reduced fertility.
Eating a healthy diet rich in nutrients, controlling weight through proper exercises and yoga, maintaining a stress-free mind by practicing meditation are the keys to avoid miscarriages or any other medical errors. To ensure that, patients can consult a qualified and experienced nutritionist for an extra added benefit. Thus, practicing a healthy lifestyle while undergoing fertility treatment is a must for every patient.
In conclusion, we have provided content related to the top five tips to help people avoid medical errors with fertility treatment. We hope that with the supplied knowledge, you can make better health-related decisions for yourself.
SIMILAR QUESTION
What Are Some Risks In Taking Fertility Medications Or Procedures?
Fertility medications and procedures are often used to help couples conceive a child, but there are certain risks associated with them that should be considered before starting any treatments. The following paper will discuss the potential risks of fertility medications and procedures, including side effects, multiple births, and medical conditions that may arise from the treatments.
Side Effects
Fertility medications and procedures can cause a variety of side effects, including nausea, headaches, stomach pain, and fatigue. Some of these side effects may last for several days after the medication or procedure has been completed. Additionally, women may experience breast tenderness, bloating, and mood swings. In some cases, the side effects can be severe enough to require medical attention.
Multiple Births
Fertility medications and procedures can increase the risk of multiple births, such as twins or triplets. This can be a difficult situation for families to manage, as multiple babies require more time and resources. Higher-order multiple births (four or more babies) can also be dangerous for both the mother and babies, as they increase the risk of preterm labor, low birth weight, and other complications.
Medical Conditions
Fertility medications and procedures can increase the risk of developing certain medical conditions, such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). OHSS is a condition in which the ovaries become enlarged and fluid accumulates in the abdomen. Symptoms of OHSS include abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. In some cases, OHSS can lead to serious complications, such as blood clots and even death.
Conclusion
Fertility medications and procedures can be an effective way to help couples conceive, but there are certain risks associated with them that should be taken into consideration. Side effects, multiple births, and medical conditions can all be potential risks of fertility treatments. It is important to discuss all of the risks with your doctor before starting any fertility treatments.
