It can be stressful to book your first appointment at a fertility clinic; I can attest to the fact that I felt queasy. The next steps in your family planning journey can be decided upon with knowledge of what to anticipate and a prepared list of questions.
Here is a summary: Your past reproductive and general health history, including any medications you’re taking as well as any pertinent testing results and/or diagnoses, will be reviewed during your initial consultation with a fertility specialist. In order to better understand your treatment options and tailor your fertility plan, your doctor might order additional testing.
However, you might encounter a deluge of information, abbreviations, and terms throughout the appointment (for example, what’s the distinction between IVF and IUI?). Because of this, I urge you to create a set of questions in advance. (I remembered mine because I knew I’d forget if I didn’t write it down in the notes section on my phone.)
I founded Frame Fertility after realizing the need for individualized, research-based support during my own fertility journey. Frame’s mission is to support people as they navigate every stage of the process—from curiosity to treatment—by giving them the facts and individualized support. Seeking help for fertility challenges can frequently feel opaque and confusing.
Based on my/our medical and reproductive history, what is your initial assessment?
During this initial visit, you will be asked about your medical and family health history as well as your and your partner’s (as relevant) reproductive history. Your fertility specialist will ask pointed questions about common conditions that can impact fertility such as diabetes, endometriosis, past surgeries, medications and more. Also, be sure to share your fertility goals—like how many kids you might want and when. This may impact your next steps as well as the right path for you.
Which tests or procedures do you recommend to determine a diagnosis and/or treatment plan?
The answer should be tailored based on your initial assessment and goals, but common tests or procedures can include routine blood work and screening for infectious diseases, hormone blood tests, a pelvic ultrasound, genetic screening and more. Just to set expectations, it’s important to note that a full assessment may not be possible until these tests are completed.
What chance of success can I expect from different treatment methods—and what are the risks and side effects of each?
This is an important question to ask as the answer varies depending on your assessment and test results. Be sure to understand the pros and cons of each path and set realistic expectations for yourself before beginning any treatment. And remember to discuss any risks and potential side effects that could cause downtime and prevent you from your daily routine.
