1. What Happens at Your First Appointment?
Your first visit is usually a sit-down with a fertility specialist who’ll take a close look at your health and fertility background. Here’s what that often includes:
• A Deep Dive Into Your Health History
Expect to talk through your menstrual cycle, any past pregnancies or miscarriages, previous treatments, and any health conditions that might be relevant.
• Some Initial Testing
These tests help figure out what’s going on and shape your treatment plan. You might have:
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Blood tests to check hormone levels (like AMH, FSH, and estradiol)
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A transvaginal ultrasound to look at your ovaries and uterus
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A semen analysis (if applicable)
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Genetic screening, in certain cases
• A Chat About Your Options
Once your doctor has a clearer picture, they’ll talk through the next steps. That could be IVF—or possibly a different route depending on your situation. If IVF makes the most sense, they’ll explain how it works, what medications you’ll take, and what the timeline looks like.
2. Good Questions to Ask Your Doctor
Don’t be shy about asking questions—this is your body, your journey, and your future. Here are a few to consider:
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What’s your success rate for someone my age and diagnosis?
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What are the possible risks or side effects of IVF?
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Will I need any add-on procedures, like ICSI or PGT-A?
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How many embryos do you usually transfer?
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What’s the cost, and are there payment plans or insurance options?
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Do you offer support services like counseling or nutrition help?
3. Getting Emotionally Ready
IVF is not just a medical journey—it’s an emotional one too. Here are some ways to take care of your heart, not just your body:
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Bring someone with you – A partner, friend, or family member can be a big help for emotional support and remembering what’s discussed.
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Be gentle with yourself – You’re not expected to know it all right away. This is just the start.
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Take your time afterward – Don’t rush into decisions. Give yourself space to process and ask follow-up questions if you need to.
4. What to Bring
A little prep goes a long way. Here’s what’s good to have on hand:
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Medical records for you and your partner
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A list of current meds and supplements
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Results from any past fertility tests or treatments
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Insurance info
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Something to take notes (notebook, phone, etc.)
5. After the Appointment
Once your consult is done, you might need a few more tests before starting treatment. From there, your care team will walk you through the IVF process step by step—from prepping your body with meds to the embryo transfer itself.