Patient: Dr. Malpani, I’ve noticed that some doctors get annoyed when patients ask too many questions. Doesn’t it slow things down?
Dr. Malpani: You’re absolutely right—many doctors do get irritated. They feel patients are challenging their authority, or that answering questions takes too much of their time. But let me tell you something surprising—I actually get more worried about patients who don’t ask me questions.
Patient: Really? I thought doctors preferred quiet, compliant patients.
Dr. Malpani: Maybe some do. But in IVF, a silent patient is often a red flag. It usually means they don’t fully understand the process, or worse, that they’re blindly trusting the doctor. And that can lead to unrealistic expectations.
IVF Success Is About Managing Expectations
Patient: What do you mean by unrealistic expectations?
Dr. Malpani: Many couples believe that once they’ve chosen a “good” IVF clinic, success is guaranteed. They think if the doctor is skilled enough and the treatment is expensive enough, pregnancy will definitely happen. Unfortunately, that’s not true.
The reality is that even in the best IVF clinics in India, success rates vary depending on the woman’s age, egg quality, sperm health, and many other biological factors we simply can’t control. What we can control is the process—how carefully we monitor cycles, how transparently we communicate, and how respectfully we treat our patients.
If patients don’t ask questions, they may not appreciate the difference between what’s in our hands and what isn’t. That’s when disappointment and mistrust arise.
Why Patient Questions Matter
Patient: So, you’re saying my questions aren’t a nuisance—they’re actually important?
Dr. Malpani: Exactly. Every question you ask helps me understand your concerns, and it gives me a chance to explain what IVF can and cannot achieve. For example:
If you ask about the number of embryos transferred, I can explain why single embryo transfer is safer than putting two or three at once.
If you ask why certain tests are recommended, I can protect you from unnecessary add-ons that don’t improve success rates.
If you ask about embryo photos, I can share them with you so you know exactly what we are doing in the lab.
This kind of open communication builds trust. It reassures you that we’re doing things the right way, even if the outcome isn’t always in our control.
The Danger of Staying Silent
Patient: But what happens if I don’t ask?
Dr. Malpani: Then you run the risk of misunderstanding the treatment. You might believe every IVF cycle should work, and if it doesn’t, you may think we failed you—even if we did everything correctly.
Silence can also make you more vulnerable to exploitation. Unscrupulous clinics thrive on patients who don’t ask questions. They push unnecessary tests like ERA, PGT, or PRP injections simply because patients don’t know better.
By contrast, well-informed patients make better partners in their own care. They can evaluate whether a clinic is following best practices or just selling hope.
IVF Is a Partnership, Not a Transaction
Patient: So you actually want me to challenge you?
Dr. Malpani: Absolutely. IVF works best when patients and doctors treat each other as partners. I bring medical expertise, you bring your values, preferences, and questions. Together, we make decisions that maximize your chances while minimizing unnecessary stress and costs.
When patients ask, “Why are we doing this step?” or “What are my alternatives?”—I know they’re taking ownership of their journey. That’s what leads to better emotional resilience, realistic expectations, and ultimately, a more positive experience with IVF.
Final Thoughts
Patient: Thank you, Dr. Malpani. I used to worry about bothering doctors with too many questions. Now I realize it’s actually my responsibility to ask, so I can understand the process better.
Dr. Malpani: Exactly. Don’t ever feel guilty for wanting clarity. IVF is complex, and you deserve to know what’s happening at every stage. Remember, while we cannot guarantee the outcome, we can guarantee that the process is ethical, transparent, and patient-centered—provided you stay engaged and ask questions.
Dr. Malpani: For direct advice, you can get information to any query related to your IVF treatment from my AI Twin instantly at https://www.drmalpani.com/chat-w-chatbot/index.html