Patient: Dr. Malpani, I feel like I’ve lost all confidence in IVF. My first cycle failed, and I don’t think I can go through this again. My clinic promised high success rates, but when my cycle failed, they just brushed me aside. I feel like I’ve been cheated.
Dr. Malpani: Unfortunately, your experience is far too common. While good IVF doctors can work miracles by giving couples the joy of a child, bad IVF clinics do the opposite. They don’t just waste your time and money; they make you lose faith in the process itself. That’s the real tragedy—because once you’ve had a bad experience, it becomes much harder to trust any other IVF doctor, and you might end up depriving yourself of the one technology that could help you have a baby.
Patient: That’s exactly how I feel. How do I know who to trust? Every clinic advertises high success rates. I assumed that meant they were good.
Dr. Malpani: And that’s where many patients go wrong. Just because an IVF clinic claims high success rates in an advertisement doesn’t mean they are trustworthy. There’s very little transparency in the industry, and since the regulatory authority in India is often ineffective, many clinics get away with misleading claims.
Patient: So, what should I have done differently?
Dr. Malpani: The key is due diligence before you start treatment. The first step is verifying the claims made by a clinic. Any clinic can say they have an 80% success rate, but how do you know it’s true? Success rates depend on many factors—your age, the cause of infertility, and embryo quality. The best way to judge a clinic’s honesty is by asking for embryo photographs.
Patient: Embryo photographs? My clinic never gave me any! Why is that important?
Dr. Malpani: That’s a major red flag. Every good IVF clinic provides embryo photos routinely. This is the best way to document transparency and ensure that you’ve received high-quality medical care. It shows you exactly what was transferred into your uterus and confirms that good embryos were created in the lab.
Patient: So if a clinic doesn’t provide embryo photos, does that mean they’re hiding something?
Dr. Malpani: More often than not, yes. Clinics that don’t give embryo photos may be doing so because:
- The embryos were of poor quality, and they don’t want to admit it.
- The lab is not following proper protocols, leading to low fertilization rates.
- They didn’t actually transfer good embryos, and they want to cover it up.
A trustworthy clinic has nothing to hide and will proactively provide these images. If your clinic didn’t, you have every reason to be suspicious.
Patient: This makes me so angry. I trusted them, and now I feel like I was just a number to them. How do I ensure I don’t make the same mistake again?
Dr. Malpani: I completely understand your frustration, and that’s why I always emphasize patient education. Before choosing a clinic, always ask:
- Do you provide embryo photos? If they hesitate, walk away.
- What is your protocol for failed cycles? A good clinic should offer a review and future recommendations.
Patient: I wish I had known all of this before I started my IVF journey.
Dr. Malpani: That’s why information therapy is so important. Patients need to be proactive in researching their options before paying a single rupee. A failed cycle is painful enough, but it’s even worse when patients feel cheated. You deserve transparency, respect, and quality care.
Patient: Thank you, Dr. Malpani. This has been an eye-opener. I think I need to start fresh, but this time, I’ll make sure I ask the right questions.
Dr. Malpani: That’s the right approach. And if you’d like a second opinion, you can fill out the form on our website with your reports, and I’ll provide a free second opinion here.
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