5 Things to Do Before Your First Visit at a Fertility Clinic | Fertility Out Loud

5 Simple Things to Do Before Your First Visit at a Fertility Clinic

The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your doctor, or a mental health professional, for the most appropriate treatment.

Have you been trying to get pregnant for a while? Have you been waiting to take the next step of making an appointment with a fertility specialist? What’s holding you back from going to that first visit? 

If you’re younger than 35 and have been trying to conceive for a year with timed intercourse, it’s time to see a fertility specialist (reproductive endocrinologist or RE). If you are older than 35, you should see a fertility specialist after 6 months. 

Making that first appointment with a fertility doctor can be overwhelming for many women, but it’s a proactive step you can take on your fertility journey. We can help simplify this first step. Whether your initial consultation is in-person or virtual, here are 5 simple things you need to do to get ready. 

Have your insurance card handy.

You may assume you don’t have health insurance coverage, but your fertility clinic will likely have staff experienced in reviewing policies and benefits to see if any part of the visit might be covered. It’s a good idea to call your insurance company before your visit to help you prepare and have an idea of what may be covered. Some insurance plans offer coverage for consultations and fertility testing, while others cover fertility treatments like intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF). Alternatively, some plans offer little or no coverage for fertility.

Have your spouse, partner, or loved one with you. 

They need to be a part of this discussion, and you can use the extra set of ears. If you don’t have a partner, try to find a friend or family member who can come with you. Make sure they see your list of questions so that they can help ensure you get the answers you need. Ask if there is anything you need to start doing now to boost your fertility, such as lifestyle changes or supplements. Ask if there are any additional tests that need to be done, such as genetic testing, ovarian reserve testing or an HSG (hysterosalpingogram) which checks for fallopian tube and uterine abnormalities. If a treatment plan is recommended, make sure everyone understands the steps involved. For example, the IVF process typically includes fertility medications, an egg retrieval and an embryo transfer. Ask about the success rates for your unique fertility journey and treatment path, and any side effects you might experience along the way.

Have your male partner get a semen analysis. 

Most REs will want to see the results of a semen analysis before they can discuss treatment options. You can either bring the results with you or have them sent directly from the lab. Your OB/GYN can recommend where to get this test. Know that if male factor infertility is a factor, there are treatment options specifically to support this, such as IVF with ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection). 

Send your medical records from your OB/GYN. 

Have your OB/GYN send a copy of your full medical history file to the fertility clinic. There may be information that will be helpful, such as underlying health conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, or fibroids, or tests that were done in the past that don’t need to be repeated. Also, have your general practitioner or family doctor send any general health tests results and blood analyses that were done in the last few years. 

Have your ovulation tracking information ready. 

If you’ve been tracking your menstrual cycle on a phone app, cycle predictor kit, or with basal body temperature charts, have these with you. 

Don’t be nervous. Both you and your RE want the same thing: for you to get pregnant and grow your family! Stay positive; this is the first step toward achieving that goal. A fertility coach can help you prepare for and navigate this first appointment and beyond. 

Fertility Out Loud