Should You Switch IVF Clinics After a Failed IVF Attempt?
Patient: Dr Malpani, I just had a failed IVF cycle, and I feel devastated. But I don’t know whether I should continue at the same clinic or switch. How do I decide?
Dr Malpani: That’s an excellent question — and one of the most frequent FAQs I get from IVF patients. Let’s bust a few myths here, because many patients end up making the wrong decision out of fear or misplaced loyalty.
Myth 1: “If my IVF cycle failed, it must be my fault.”
Patient: Yes, I keep wondering — maybe my uterus rejected the embryo? Maybe my body just can’t handle it?
Dr Malpani: That’s a common myth, but it’s simply not true. Most IVF failures are not caused by your body. They’re usually due to poor-quality embryos. And here’s where it gets tricky: embryo quality may decline because of your biological reserve (like diminished ovarian reserve), which is not in your control. But very often, it’s because the clinic did not do its job properly — for example, transferring embryos on Day 2 or Day 3 instead of growing them to Day 5, or not giving you embryo photos.
Myth 2: “All IVF clinics are the same, so changing clinics won’t help.”
Patient: But aren’t all clinics following the same methods? Will switching really make a difference?
Dr Malpani: Another myth! IVF success depends hugely on the quality of the lab and the protocols followed. A world-class clinic will:
- Always give you photos of your embryos
- Do blastocyst (Day 5) transfers only.
- Be transparent about what’s happening in the lab.
If your clinic hides this information, that’s a red flag. Changing to a better clinic can dramatically increase your chances.
FAQ: “What if my embryos failed because of my low ovarian reserve?”
Patient: Suppose my embryos were poor quality because of my low AMH or diminished ovarian reserve. Would switching clinics still help?
Dr Malpani: That’s one scenario where biology is the limiting factor, not the clinic. No doctor can magically fix egg quality. In such cases, we may need to consider different strategies, like donor eggs. But you still deserve a clinic that is honest and transparent with you, so you don’t waste time chasing false promises.
FAQ: “When is the right time to analyse my clinic’s quality?”
Patient: Should I only worry about this after a failed cycle?
Dr Malpani: Ideally, you should do this before starting treatment. Ask your clinic for embryo photos, ask about blastocyst transfers, and check whether they follow global best practices. Don’t wait till your cycle fails to realise you were short-changed.
Patient: So, to summarise: if my cycle failed because of bad luck or poor biology, I might not benefit from switching. But if it failed because of poor clinic practices, then moving to a better clinic is essential. Right?
Patient: So, to summarise: if my cycle failed because of bad luck or poor biology, I might not benefit from switching. But if it failed because of poor clinic practices, then moving to a better clinic is essential. Right?
Remember: IVF is too important to leave entirely to your doctor. You need to be an actively involved, well-informed patient. That’s why I call this “information therapy”.