How to Choose an IVF Clinic
Selecting the “best” IVF clinic can be a perplexing experience. You search online only to find confusing and inconsistent pieces of information
You just found out that you need “in-vitro” fertilization to conceive. You might feel upset, your head is spinning with implications of what it all means, and you start wondering about the treatment cost, whether it will be successful, and where to go for your IVF treatment.
Selecting the “best” IVF clinic can be a perplexing experience. You search online only to find an overabundance of data along with confusing and inconsistent pieces of information. You find half a dozen infertility clinics in your area and have really no idea which one to choose.
Let me share with you a little-known secret: It all comes down to the performance of the clinic’s embryology laboratory, which, in turn, hinges on the experience and personality of the lab director. The physicians do not influence the probability of your success nearly as much as the excellence, or the lack of it, of the IVF laboratory staff.
Here lies the crux: No reliable information is available to compare the performance of embryology laboratories of various IVF clinics. I have been a part of the infertility medical field for almost 40 years, and with as much insight as I should have, I know precious little about how well embryology laboratories in my area are doing.
One possible source of knowledge is the compilation of treatment outcomes of US fertility clinics collected by the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART). Unfortunately, clinics self-report their data to SART, and unscrupulous clinics have been found to inflate their reports of successful outcomes. SART states that clinic-specific outcomes should not be the sole resource used by the public to select an IVF center.
Since it may be impossible to “figure out” which IVF clinic to choose, you may decide to use your intuition to guide you:
- Go online and review the websites of all infertility centers offering the treatment you were told you need. There will be some websites, say three or four, that you will get better “vibes” about than the rest.
- Call them all, have some questions ready, and see what kind of feeling you get from over-the-phone communication. Do not ask for an appointment yet.
- “Sleep” on the impressions you have gained, and the next day, call two of them back and ask for an initial appointment.
- Go to the first appointment, and if you “fall in love” with the place, you have found your clinic. Call the other one to cancel your appointment. Otherwise, keep your options open, have your initial consultation at the second clinic, and decide between the two.
This might seem like a lot of effort on your part, but it should pay off not only in your overall treatment experience but, hopefully, in increasing your probability of a successful outcome.
We look forward to meeting you at Bay IVF and, when your treatment is successful, celebrating your new pregnancy!
Years of Experience
Babies Born
Compassionate Care
Hear from Our Patients’ Journey to Parenthood at Bay IVF!
I would highly recommend Bay IVF for those wanting to build their family and needing IVF support! Dr. Polansky and the whole Bay IVF team were so supportive and welcoming while also honest and realistic. Our girl is our dream come true!
Jennifer C.-F.This clinic has been amazing to work with. All the nurses and staff made sure I was always comfortable and were there to answer questions any time I needed. We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Polansky and the team for everything they did for us.
Harpreet K.Words could never express the gratitude my husband and I will always have for Bay IVF! We did our research and decided to check out Bay IVF. We scheduled a consultation and felt an instant connection… love at first sight!
Chelsea L.Bay IVF Early Pregnancy Heartbeat
Meet Your Doctor
- Dr. Polansky received his medical diploma from Charles University in Prague, the Czech Republic, in 1978.
- After completing his OB/GYN residency at Jewish Hospital in Saint Louis, MO, he graduated from the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) fellowship at Stanford University in 1985.
- In the same year, he co-founded the Stanford IVF Clinic.
- Dr. Polansky obtained board certification in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1986 and became REI subspecialty board certified in 1988.
- In 1987, he left Stanford University and established Nova IVF.
- In 2011, he founded Bay IVF, where he provides advanced fertility treatments with a holistic approach, utilizing state-of-the-art techniques.
- Dr. Polansky personally performs ultrasound examinations, egg retrievals, embryo transfers, and ovarian and endometrial stimulations for his patients.
- He is deeply committed to his patients and freely shares his cell phone number, ensuring accessibility and availability 24/7.
Frank Polansky, M.D.
Dr. Polansky’s Communication With Patients
Real texts, anonymous patient names
Initial Appointment Questions
When you call to schedule your consultation, Erica will ask you a short series of questions regarding your reproductive history.
Patients’ Thank You Cards
Your Initial Visit at Bay IVF
Attending a new patient appointment at a fertility clinic can be stressful. Our primary objective is to ensure that your initial visit is friendly and relaxing. We encourage you to ask questions at every step of the process.
1 — When You Arrive
You will be welcomed by one of the clinic receptionists. One of our nurses will measure your height and weight and take your blood pressure
2 — Meet Your Doctor
Dr. Polansky will ask you a series of clarifying questions and then provide you with a summary of the factors contributing to your infertility
4 — Exam Room
One of the nurses will escort you to an examination room. Your examination will begin with listening to your lungs and heart
3 — Ask Your Questions
You will then have a discussion with him about the most suitable reproductive treatment(s) for you. During this time, you will have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have
5 — Ultrasound of the Ovaries
The next step is a pelvic ultrasound to examine the uterus and ovaries. This ultrasound will help determine the number of antral follicles present within the ovaries
6 — Financial Part
Following that, you will have a discussion with one of the financial advisors regarding the financial aspects of your treatment, including potential treatment financing options
8 — Support 24/7
If you have any questions after leaving the clinic, please feel free to reach out to us via phone call, text, or email. Open and discreet communication is an integral part of the care we provide at Bay IVF
7 — What About Time?
Your entire visit is expected to last approximately one hour
Schedule Your Initial Consultation With Dr. Polansky
Online or In-Person
You can also complete the form below to request your initial consultationStill Have Questions?
We know this is a big decision. It is important for us that you feel really comfortable.