Patient: Dr. Malpani, I’ve been reading a lot about “informed consent” in medical treatments, especially in IVF. Every clinic I visit makes me sign these thick forms with medical jargon. But I’m not sure I truly understand what I’m agreeing to. Is this really the same as making an informed decision?
Dr. Malpani: I’m so glad you brought that up. You’ve hit upon a very important distinction — one that many IVF clinics conveniently blur. What most clinics call “informed consent” is often just a legal formality. It’s designed to protect the clinic, not empower the patient. But what you deserve — and what I advocate — is informed choice.
Patient: But aren’t they the same thing? I mean, if I sign a consent form after a doctor explains the procedure, isn’t that an informed decision?
Dr. Malpani: Not necessarily. Let me explain. Informed consent typically means you’ve been told what the doctor plans to do and the possible risks. But informed choice goes much deeper. It means you are given all the options — with pros, cons, costs, and likely outcomes — so you can decide what is best for you. In IVF, this distinction becomes crucial.
Patient: So you’re saying consent can be passive — like just signing a paper — while choice is active?
Dr. Malpani: Exactly! With informed consent, the doctor is still in control. With informed choice, you are in the driver’s seat. IVF is not a one-size-fits-all treatment. Patients come with different medical, emotional, and financial situations. A responsible doctor should help you make decisions that align with your unique needs and values — not just push you into expensive treatments.
Patient: That makes sense. But why don’t more clinics offer informed choice?
Dr. Malpani: Sadly, it’s often a matter of economics. Many IVF clinics today run like corporate chains. Their profitability depends on how many IVF cycles they sell, not how many patients they help get pregnant. If they truly practiced informed choice, more patients might opt for simpler, cheaper, or even no treatment — and that would affect their bottom line.
Patient: That’s a bit shocking. I always thought doctors would recommend what’s best for the patient.
Dr. Malpani: Most do — or at least try to. But in corporate setups, doctors are often under pressure to meet targets. Some may suggest donor eggs when your own eggs might still work. Others may recommend preimplantation genetic testing (PGT-A) without explaining its limited benefit in younger women. Patients trust doctors, so they often follow recommendations blindly.
Patient: I’ve actually been offered PGT-A, and I didn’t really understand why. It was presented as something “routine.”
Dr. Malpani: That’s exactly the problem. Many patients are told what to do, not educated on the choices. You need to ask, “What are my other options? What happens if I do nothing? What’s the evidence for this test or procedure? Is this recommendation right for me?” These are the kinds of questions that make informed choice possible.
Patient: But isn’t that overwhelming? I mean, we’re not doctors. How can we know what’s right?
Dr. Malpani: That’s where a good IVF doctor comes in. My job isn’t to make decisions for you — it’s to give you the knowledge you need to make decisions with me. Think of me as a guide, not a commander. I want my patients to be active participants, not passive recipients.
Patient: So, how do I make sure I’m making an informed choice?
Dr. Malpani: Start by insisting on complete transparency. Ask for printouts of your scan reports. Understand the grade and quality of your embryos. Don’t be afraid to ask “why” at every step. If your clinic doesn’t answer clearly or tries to rush you, that’s a red flag.
Also, make sure you’re not emotionally blackmailed. Many couples are so desperate to have a baby that they agree to whatever the doctor says, even if the procedure is expensive, painful, or unproven. But desperation is not a strategy. Education is.
Patient: That’s true. I often feel lost in the sea of options and medical terms. It’s hard to know what to trust.
Dr. Malpani: That’s exactly why I encourage my patients to do their homework. Read, ask, question. I’ve created a lot of free resources on www.drmalpani.com to help patients become well-informed. Because once you’re well-informed, you’re far less likely to be taken for a ride.
Patient: So you’re saying that the real power lies in being educated — not just treated?
Dr. Malpani: Absolutely. IVF is as much an emotional and financial decision as it is a medical one. The more empowered you are, the more likely you are to make choices you’ll feel confident about — whether you choose to do IVF, postpone it, or even decline certain interventions.
Patient: That gives me a lot of clarity, Dr. Malpani. I think every IVF patient should hear this before starting their treatment.
Dr. Malpani: I agree. In fact, I believe that making an informed choice is the single most important thing you can do as a patient. It protects you, empowers you, and gives you peace of mind — something that’s incredibly valuable during a stressful IVF journey.
Dr. Malpani: For direct advice, you can get information to any query related to your IVF treatment from me instantly at https://www.drmalpani.com/chat-w-chatbot/index.html