Your First Visit

Fertility Testing

Based on the patient’s medical history, age, and family goals, our doctor will order several diagnostic tests to evaluate both partners. We will conduct a full fertility assessment to get a better understanding of your health and rule out any potential causes of infertility. This may begin at the first new patient appointment but is often completed on a subsequent visit.

The fertility assessment requires comprehensive tests to evaluate possible causes of infertility. For a female partner, these tests may include a hormonal evaluation and the examination of the physical integrity and structure of the fallopian tubes and uterus. For a male partner, a semen analysis may be required to determine sperm health. Our doctors use these test results—along with the patient’s goals, medical history, and reproductive history—to customize recommended fertility treatment options.

Fertility Testing

Fertility Treatment Financing

While our medical team develops a unique infertility treatment plan for each patient, our financial counselor helps patients understand costs and financing options that are right for them. After your appointment, our financial counselor will review the costs associated with treatments, any insurance benefits you may have, as well as financing and discount options that may be available.

Financing

How Can I Prepare for My First Fertility Visit?

To make the most of the initial consultation, we recommend preparing for the discussion and meeting in advance. Here are some items to bring/consider:

• Review your insurance policy to determine specific insurance coverage (if any) for fertility treatment. Click here for a helpful guide of questions to ask your insurance company when reviewing your insurance benefits.
• Connect with your insurance carrier to find out whether your policy requires a referral or preauthorization for coverage.
• Upload your insurance cards and a form of identification before your appointment.
• Bring copies of your medical records and test results.
• Make a list of any medications, vitamins, herbs or other supplements you take. Include the doses and how often you take them.
• Document details about attempts to get pregnant, including how long you’ve been trying, how often you’ve had intercourse and any outcomes.

What Questions Should I Be Prepared to Answer?

We will ask different questions appropriate for different couples and individuals depending on your individual situation and family characteristics.

Be prepared to talk about details of how you have been trying to get pregnant and if you have attempted fertility treatment before. Our doctor may ask some of the following questions, as appropriate for you, to determine the next steps in making a diagnosis and starting care:

• How long have you been actively trying to get pregnant?
• How frequently do you have intercourse?
• Are you planning to use an anonymous sperm or egg donor?
• Who is planning to carry the pregnancy (for lesbian couples)?
• Do you know which partner will provide the sperm for fertilization?
• Do you/partner smoke, use alcohol or take recreational drugs?
• Are you/partner exposed through work or lifestyle habits to chemicals, pesticides, radiation or lead?
• Have you or your partner conceived a child together or with any previous partners?
• At what age did the female, or transgender man, partner start menstruating?
• What are cycles typically like?
• Are you charting menstrual cycles or testing for ovulation? For how many cycles?
• Do you/partner eat well and exercise regularly?

What Questions Should I Ask My Fertility Specialist?

Questions are common (and encouraged) during appointments, and our doctors want patients to fully understand the details of their care. Keep a list of any questions and bring them to the first appointment. It can be helpful to list the most important questions first in case time runs short.

In most cases, many of the questions you have will be answered by your providers in the course of the new patient appointment. Not sure what to ask our fertility specialists? Here are some basic questions to consider:

• What tests will I/we need before treatment?
• What treatment do you recommend trying first?
• Do I have flexibility in the treatment option we begin with?
• Do you have recommended egg or sperm donor agencies?
• What side effects are associated with the treatment you’re recommending?
• For how many cycles will we try this treatment?
• If the first treatment doesn’t work, what will you recommend trying next?
• Are there any long-term complications associated with this or other infertility treatments?
• Who will I be able to contact during the process if I have questions (and how best to reach them)?
• Will I have access to a patient portal?

When meeting with your fertility specialist, we recommend you advocate for your treatment plan. This may include asking the questions above or stating your preference for one treatment method over another. Our fertility specialists want to help you grow your family in a way that’s right for you.

Schedule Your First Appointment at The Fertility Institute

When you schedule a new patient appointment with us, we ensure that all your questions are answered and that you understand all of your treatment options. We understand that the decision to pursue fertility treatment is deeply personal and stressful. The Fertility Institute specialists are here to guide patients with patience through all their questions and treatment options.

Request Appointment