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During your first visit, you will be asked many questions about your medical history, medications, attempts to get pregnant, and more….
MAKE A WRITTEN LIST OF YOUR QUESTIONS
Throughout that first appointment, you and your partner are bound to have many questions for the reproductive specialist and staff as well. Be prepared with your questions, as the appointment will go quickly and it is very easy to forget your questions when you’re sitting face-to-face with a new doctor.
Prior to your first appointment, make a list of questions you may want to ask. For some, it is easy to sit at your computer to brainstorm your list. For others, it may be easier to jot down questions that pop into your head in a day-timer or a notebook. Either way, make sure to document any additional questions that may come to you before your initial fertility clinic visit. As you make your list, be sure to allow space for any notes you may want to take!
QUESTIONS FOR THE DOCTOR
It is absolutely understandable if you aren’t exactly sure what to ask. Below you will find a variety of questions to help you prepare for your first visit with a reproductive specialist. You can print these out and take them with you or go through and pick just the questions that may be relevant for you.
• What are the possible reasons we haven’t yet conceived?
• What kind of fertility testing will we need prior to fertility treatment?
• How long will it take to diagnose any potential infertility problems?
• What surgical procedures might be recommended for either my partner or for me?
• How long will it be from the time we are diagnosed to the time we can start treatment?
• What can I expect as far as time commitments are concerned and how many office visits are typically necessary?
• What treatment do you typically recommend trying first?
• What is the likelihood of conceiving multiple babies with the treatment you may recommend?
• For a specific treatment, how many cycles will we try?
• If the first treatment doesn’t work, what will you recommend trying next?
• Are there any side effects or long-term complications associated with this or other infertility treatments?
• What are your live birth success rates? What are the national success rates?
• What percentage of your patients are my age?
• If I do my own research, would you be okay with the possibility of me suggesting a particular course of treatment?
• Do you take part in clinical trials? If I meet the requirements and am eligible, will I be able to participate?
• How many ovulation induction cycles (with or without IUI) do you typically suggest before moving to in vitro fertilization (IVF)?
• How many embryos do you typically transfer per cycle?
• How many IVF attempts will you make?
• When undergoing IVF, will the egg retrieval procedure be performed in the clinic or a hospital?
• How will you monitor my treatment? How often? Will you always perform the treatment monitoring or will a different reproductive specialist or nurse be responsible for monitoring at some point?
• Is your clinic affiliated with an embryology lab or do you have your own in-house lab?
• What are your thoughts about complementary medicine such as acupuncture, massage and other relaxation techniques to help with fertility?
• How should I communicate with you during this whole process? Will you return phone calls personally? How long will I typically have to wait to receive a call back?
• Will my insurance pay for testing and/or treatments? Will your clinic help me determine what my insurance covers?
• If my insurance does not cover testing and/or treatment, can we make arrangements for a payment plan?
• If necessary, do you have donor egg, embryo and sperm programs through your clinic?
• Does your clinic provide emotional/infertility counseling, or can you refer me to a counselor who is trained to deal with fertility issues?
• Does your office facilitate any infertility support groups that we can attend?
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
Knowledge is power, and you can be sure that preparedness is the key to a successful first visit. During your first fertility clinic visit and, of course, at all subsequent visits: ask, ask, and ask some more! Leave no question unanswered! The goal of your first appointment is to gather as much information as possible, beginning a relationship on sound, open communication. Taking an active role in your treatment will give you the best possible chance to realize your dream of having a bundle of joy.
If you have been unsuccessful in your attempts to conceive and you are looking for an understanding and dedicated reproductive specialist, the Center of Reproductive Medicine helps infertile couples in the southeast Texas area with three full-service fertility clinics in Houston, Webster and Beaumont.
If you are having trouble getting pregnant, or if you have other questions, it may be time to make an appointment with a reproductive specialist. Call our knowledgeable staff at the Center of Reproductive Medicine (CORM) today. CORM serves the greater southeast Texas area with three state-of-the-art fertility clinics located in Houston, Webster, and Beaumont. Our highly trained doctors will work with you to determine appropriate testing needs and they will help you choose the best fertility program for your individual reproductive medical needs.