- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- preconception articles
- preconception q&a
- community & groups
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
From Our Sponsors
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
The Overseas Conception Connection
A Trip Across the Ocean May Solve Fertility Problems
By Teri Brown
The United States isn't the only country to make strides in assisted reproductive therapy (ART). Researchers and specialists from all over the world continue to move forward with leaps and bounds in their treatments of fertility issues. Because of this, more people are looking across the ocean for fertility options. While some look for egg donors from other countries, others travel across the globe for fertility treatments in foreign clinics.
Dr. Richard Scott, a board certified reproductive endocrinologist and one of the founding partners of Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey, believes there are a number of reasons why ART consumers might seek treatment from somewhere other than the United States. "Some couples are traveling to other countries for infertility treatment because the cost of treatment is often lower at many centers outside the United States," he says. "Couples may also seek treatment in other countries for reasons other than cost. Some couples pursue these options for reasons related to culture and ethnicity. For example, a Korean-American couple may want to use a fertility practice in Korea to have access to a Korean egg donor."
Dr. Scott says it is unclear whether going overseas represents a trend because there is no monitoring in place to assess the numbers of patients considering this option for treatment. He also believes some concerns exist and should be considered before pursuing the option. "Reproductive medicine in the U.S. is regulated, and all IVF centers must meet certain standards in quality and patient care," he says. "These same standards may not apply to centers in many other countries. In addition, centers in the U.S. report on their success rates, giving couples helpful information to assess a clinic's capabilities."
Another important consideration, according to Dr. Scott, is the identification of the cause of the infertility. If a couple needs an advanced form of treatment, these services may not be widely available, and many IVF centers may not have extensive experience in using them. "The bottom line with this option is that it is only something to consider if you are able to identify a treatment center that is able to meet your needs with the highest levels of experience and service," he says.
Want to see more?
Comments
There are no comments for this article yet.Be the first to 
|
Post As:
|
||
| Enter your comment below: | ||
| Title | ||
| Comment Text | ||
| CAPTCHA | ||
| Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection. | ||