Why these questions matter
IVF takes time, money and emotional energy. A clear answer to a few basic questions helps you compare centres fairly. It also shows how open a centre is with you.
Take this list to every consultation. Write down the answers so you can compare them later.
The 10 questions
1. Is the clinic registered under the ART Act?
Under the ART (Regulation) Act, 2021, every ART clinic and bank must be registered on the National Registry. Registration must be renewed every five years.
Ask for the registration number and check it on the national registry yourself. Our guide to the ART Act 2021 explains why this matters.
2. If you need surrogacy, does it have surrogacy registration too?
A surrogacy clinic needs a separate surrogacy registration in addition to ART registration. One does not replace the other. Ask to see both if surrogacy is part of your plan. See our page on surrogacy law in India.
3. Who will plan and oversee my treatment?
Ask whether one named doctor plans your cycle from start to finish. Ask who does egg collection and embryo transfer. Continuity helps when decisions change during the cycle.
4. Can I get a written itemised estimate before starting?
A good estimate lists each part separately: tests, medicines, procedures, lab work and any add-ons. A single "package" number makes it hard to know what is included. Compare with the breakdown on our IVF cost page.
5. What is not included in the price?
Ask directly about extras such as ICSI, embryo freezing, yearly storage, frozen transfers and extra medicines. Ask what happens to the cost if the plan changes mid-cycle.
6. Why do I need each add-on that is suggested?
Some extras help specific couples. Others are offered more widely than needed. Ask how each one relates to your own reports and what would happen without it.
7. How does the clinic talk about success?
Success depends mainly on age, egg reserve, sperm quality and embryo quality. Be cautious of any centre that promises a result or quotes a single figure without reviewing your reports. A careful doctor explains your realistic chances after tests.
8. How are donor eggs or sperm sourced, if needed?
Donor gametes can only come through a registered ART bank. Ask which bank the clinic uses and how donors are screened.
9. What happens to my embryos?
Ask how many embryos are usually transferred and why. Ask about freezing extra embryos, storage charges and the consent forms you will sign. You should understand your choices before treatment starts.
10. How will follow-up and emergencies work?
Ask who you can call after hours if you have pain or bleeding. Ask how scans and reports will be shared, especially if you live in another city.
Red flags to watch for
Be careful if a centre
Offers to choose the baby's sex, promises a sure result, will not give a written estimate, cannot show its ART registration, or suggests paying a surrogate a fee. Sex selection is illegal, and commercial surrogacy is a criminal offence.
Practical points for couples from other cities
Many couples travel for IVF. Ask how many visits are needed and on which days. Ask whether basic tests can be done near home first.
At our Delhi clinic, tests can often be done in your own city and reviewed on WhatsApp. One doctor plans treatment, and you get a written itemised estimate before anything begins.
Questions to ask yourselves too
Choosing a centre is not only about the clinic. Your own situation shapes what will work best.
- How far can we travel, and how often? Count the likely visits and the cost of travel and stay.
- How much time can we take off work? Egg collection and transfer days are fixed by your body, not a calendar.
- What is our total budget? Think beyond one cycle, including freezing, storage and a possible frozen transfer.
- Do we feel heard? A doctor who explains your reports clearly and answers questions patiently matters through a long process.
Bring these to your first consultation
Good preparation makes the first visit more useful. It also helps you compare advice from different centres on the same facts.
- All previous test reports for both partners.
- Details of past treatments, including medicine doses.
- Embryology reports from any earlier IVF cycle.
- A written list of your questions.
If you have already had IVF elsewhere, the embryology sheet is especially valuable. It shows how eggs and embryos developed, which guides the next plan.
A simple comparison sheet
| Point to note | Centre A | Centre B |
|---|---|---|
| ART registration number checked | ||
| Surrogacy registration (if needed) | ||
| Named doctor for your cycle | ||
| Written itemised estimate given | ||
| Extras explained and justified | ||
| Follow-up and emergency contact |
Fill this in after each visit. The right choice is the centre that answers clearly and plans around your own reports.