What To Expect At Your First Appointment

By: Maureen Hanton, BS, RN, MPA

The first time visiting a fertility clinic is an important day for most couples; they arrive at the doors with a mixture of emotions. It may help to know what to expect. First, the appointment is usually longer than a regular doctor's visit. A typical first appointment at a fertility clinic can last two or more hours. Generally you can expect to speak with the physician for about an hour. The physician will listen to you as you relay your fertility journey, will ask you questions about your medical history and discuss diagnostic testing. He (or she) will answer any questions you may have about causes and treatment of infertility, as well as success rates of various types of advanced reproductive technology (ART). Together with your doctor you will discuss diagnostic and treatment options that suit your needs. After you speak with your physician, your nurse will help you implement the doctor's orders and will explain the testing he (or she) recommended.

You may also speak with a genetic counselor and a financial counselor at your visit, depending upon your individual needs. It can be a lot of information in one day! The following are some helpful hints that can help make your appointment go smoothly:

• Consider coming prepared with notes and or questions for the doctor.


• Bring your insurance and prescription cards with you to the visit.


• Bring records of previous treatment or pertinent OB/GYN records such as HSG reports or hormone testing.


• Bring your calendar. If you have vacation plans or work obligations, court dates, house guests or anything that cannot be rescheduled, let the physician or nurse know to help plan diagnostic testing and fertility treatment.


• Feel free to take notes and ask questions. It is very common for couples to get home and realize they forgot to ask something they wanted to ask.


• Please don't be shy about contacting your nurse if questions or concerns arise or if circumstances change. It is always OK (even encouraged) for you to call or e-mail staff with follow-up questions.


• Remember that the pace of therapy will be set by you. Doctors will make recommendations, but no one will require that you proceed with a given treatment or at a given timeline. If you are concerned that a recommended treatment is too aggressive -or not aggressive enough, feel free to voice that to your physician.

Emotionally speaking, the days and months leading up to your first appointment with a fertility specialist (reproductive endocrinologist or RE) can be stressful. Couples often question whether now is the right time to seek help, which clinic to go to, which doctor to request, etc. They research their insurance policies to ascertain what type of coverage they can expect with regard to fertility treatment. They may discuss as a couple how far they want to go down the fertility treatment pathway in terms of time or money spent. While you are discussing the practical matters, take time to discuss your priorities and share your feelings. Talking about all of these things can help to decrease stress along the way. As you proceed, remember:

• It is normal to feel a range of emotions. It is not uncommon to feel excited and hopeful at the prospect of getting pregnant, while at the same time nervous because you don't know what will occur. Many couples say they feel sad or resentful walking in the door of a fertility clinic because they are at a doctor's office when it seems that so many friends and family members are able to get pregnant on their own, with very little effort.


• Your spouse may be experiencing similar emotions to what you are feeling, but not necessarily at the same time or in the same order as you are.


• Fertility treatment can impact vacation plans, work schedules, finances, marriages, families and self-image. It can bring up a lot of emotions. Consider asking your clinic if they can recommend a counselor or support group. You may find this very helpful during your fertility journey.

A positive thought to remember is that most couples who seek help and continue treatment do conceive. Your first appointment is your first step to success.