5 Simple Things to Do Before the First Visit to a Fertility Clinic

Have you been trying to get pregnant for a while? Have you been procrastinating about taking that next step of making an appointment with a fertility specialist? What’s holding you back?

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 (a reproductive endocrinologist or RE). If you are older than 35, you should see a fertility specialist after 6 months.

Making that first appointment can be overwhelming for many women. We can help simplify this first step. Whether your appointment 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 coverage, but your clinic will likely have staff experienced in reviewing health insurance policies 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.

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, is there a friend who can come with you for this first appointment?

Have your 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.

Send your medical records from
your OB/GYN.

Have your OB/GYN send a copy of your full medical file to the fertility clinic. There may be information that will be helpful 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 and blood analyses that were done in the last few years.

Have your ovulation tracking information ready.

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

If your first appointment is through telehealth, we can help you prepare. Check out this article to see what you should bring with you and what you can expect. 

Don’t be nervous. Both you and your RE want the same thing—for you to get pregnant and start a family! Stay positive; this is the first step toward achieving that goal.