How to Choose a Fertility Doctor

Tips on Choosing the Right Doctor for Male or Female Infertility Treatment

Not all doctors are created equally. When considering your infertility treatment, it is important to find a qualified doctor that specializes in reproductive health, understands your medical needs and is able to fulfill them. The following guide is designed to help you choose a male or female reproductive specialist

Dr. Bastuba and the staff of MFS work closely with fertility specialists and gynecologists in the greater San Diego area. We would be happy to give you physician recommendations.

What Makes a Good Microsurgeon?

  1. Make sure that your microsurgeon is certified by the American Board of Urology and that the certification is current.

  2. Verify that the microsurgeon completed extensive, specialized microsurgery training and that he/she is board certified. Dr. Bastuba is board certified in urology and has specialized training in male fertility and sexual dysfunction. He completed the prestigious fellowship program for Male Infertility & Sexual Dysfunction at Boston University.

  3. Your microsurgeon should be a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS). This organization sets high standards for their members to make sure patients are in good hands.

  4. Your microsurgeon should perform the surgery himself from beginning to end. Confirm with the doctor that no fellows or medical students are performing critical aspects of your procedure.

  5. Your microsurgeon should use a premier operating suite with experienced staff.

  6. Your microsurgeon should answer all of the questions you have about the procedure. 

  7. Your microsurgeon should offer various choices of anesthesia. Find out if your doctor offers all techniques of sedation for your outpatient procedure. Dr. Bastuba listens to your preferences to make you comfortable and relaxed, whether you choose a mild or deeper conscious sedation, or general anesthesia.

  8. Your microsurgeon should provide a fixed, all-inclusive price for the procedure. There are three components for any surgical operation. These include the fees for the doctor, anesthesia and the facility where the surgery is performed. The payment schedule should be easy to understand so there won’t be any surprises or hidden fees added later. Dr. Bastuba’s staff provides a written estimate before the procedure to help ensure that you understand all of the costs.

  9. Your microsurgeon should be easily accessible after the surgery. Dr. Bastuba is readily available via his personal, mobile phone number for any post-op questions. He believes that no one can answer your questions better than your own microsurgeon. Questions can be asked 24 hours a day with our emergency phone line.

  10. For the specific procedure you will be getting, find out how many your doctor has performed in the past year. Then ask your doctor about their success rates for cases similar to yours. Dr. Bastuba routinely performs several vasectomy reversals each week. Only 2% of urologists in the U.S. can accurately say this.

Low-tech vs. Advanced Reproductive Technologies (ART)

Some patients are not aware of the fact that they can stay in the care of a gynecologist and/or urologist with expertise in male infertility for low-tech fertility treatments such as IUI or Clomid. There are advantages to staying with your OB/Gyn for basic fertility testing, however be aware of the potential risks involved:

  1. Do some research to determine if they have the expertise and specialized knowledge necessary for infertility testing and diagnosis.

  2. Make sure they have the specialized tools in their practice, to avoid being sent to different locations for lab work, ultrasounds and other tests.

  3. Confirm that they have an interest in treating infertility and have the most up-to-date technologies available.

  4. Know when it's time to move on. It is a common error for gynecologists or other specialists to try ineffective treatments over and over again, while you lose time and money.

If their fertility treatments are unsuccessful, your OB/Gyn will refer you to a fertility specialist for advanced reproductive technology treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).

How to Locate an Infertility Specialist

  • Ask your OB/Gyn, Dr. Bastuba or any other doctor you know for suggestions.
  • Ask in your circle of friends and couples who have undergone fertility treatment.
  • Research doctors online. Reputable fertility centers will have a website giving you detailed information about the doctors and the staff including credentials, awards, hospital affiliations, insurance information, locations and more.
  • Use the SART Registry at the Center for Disease Control to compare various centers.

Phone Shopping

With a simple phone call, you can get a first impression on how they treat their patients.

  • How long are you on hold?
  • How nice is the person on the other end treating you?
  • How long is the wait for the next available appointment?
  • What are the fees?

Some couples create a list of important criteria:

  • Doctor's credentials (training, qualifications, awards).
  • Doctor's skills & experience.
  • Clinic's accessibility (location, waiting periods).
  • Pricing & affordability.
  • Professionalism of the center.
  • Clinic's overall patient care and patient education.

During your consultation with your potential new doctor, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Do you like their personality and style?
  • Are they prepared for your appointment and have they reviewed your medical records?
  • Do they listen to you and involve you AND your spouse in the planning process?
  • Are they compassionate and showing empathy with your situation?
  • Do they give you recommendations and choices you can work with?

If you have any further questions about our practice or finding another specialist, please contact us.

Request a Consultation with MFS »
Share:
Vasectomy Reversal
Dr. Martin Bastuba