There are lots of reasons why a fertility clinic might be a good choice. Let's say you're having trouble getting pregnant, and so far your gynecologist has given you advice and ran some basic tests. They may have run a blood test for hormones or asked you to record your basal body temperature for a couple of months. They have probably also performed an ultrasound and an hysterosalpingogram (HSG) or sonohysterography.

At the same time, your husband has been checked out by a urologist. When it comes time to diagnose the problem and suggest solutions, you may wish there were a single doctor you both could see. That's where the infertility specialist comes in.

A specialist can provide big-picture advice. RESOLVE, an infertility support group, recommends you see one if you're a:

• Woman who has had more than one miscarriage
• Woman under 35 and haven't gotten pregnant after 12 months of trying
• Woman over 35 and haven't gotten pregnant after 6 months of trying
• Man who's had a poor semen analysis

Before you get started on your search for a fertility clinic, find out what kind of tests or procedures you may need down the road. And give some thought ahead of time to how far you're willing to go with this process. Infertility treatments can cost many thousands of dollars and involve strong drugs or hormones. It can also be an emotional roller coaster. Knowing your limits will keep you from being talked into some new procedure that you really don't want and can't afford.

When it's time to choose a clinic, do thorough research ahead of time. One useful resource is a federal database kept by the CDC. It has the success rates of fertility centers around the country. The stats are updated every few years, so check the date.

Keep in mind that some fertility centers that looked great several years ago may have had a lot of turnover in staff and may have gone downhill in quality. But the numbers give you a place to start.