An Infertility Consultant’s Dirty Little Secret

Everyone knows infertility is big business. As a new breed of infertility coaches and consultants set up shop to help confused consumers, it can be tough to know who to trust.

After all, you need an advocate to walk beside you, warning you of financial and medical pitfalls and giving you the tools you need to make the best decisions for you and your family.

One question that many people don’t know to ask is if the infertility consultant takes money from the infertility industry. For example, if an infertility consultant takes a $50K check from a doctor to go to an IVF scholarship the consultant hands out, can you be 100% confident you won’t be referred to that doctor, even if he or she isn’t the best fit for you?

After all, why would a doctor pony up the big bucks unless he was expecting some quid pro quo? Maybe the gift wouldn’t affect referrals, but how can you know for sure?

What may be the best test to ask an infertility consultant is if she takes marketing money from industry. Look for referrals that are unbiased and truthful, and based on a decade of research and experience.

Choosing the right doctor matters. If you don’t see someone with specific expertise with your diagnosis, you could be wasting your time and money.

Your infertility consultant should provide professionally-developed customized fertility plan that matches your specific situation and optimizes your chances to conceive.

But more importantly, you shouldn’t have to ever wonder whose side she’s on.

By: Angie Best-Boss

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Angie Best-Boss, president of My Fertility Plan, is an infertility consultant and infertility consumer advocate. Her most recent book, "Budgeting for Infertility" is being released by Simon and Schuster in Spring 2009. She can be reached at 1-877-509-PLAN or check out her website at www.myfertilityplan.com.