Your first meeting with a fertility doctor is nerve-wracking and exciting at the same time. If you’re anything like me, I tend to get caught up in the moment and flow of conversation that I sometimes forget to ask questions I’ve been wondering about for a long time. I now know that I need to come prepared to appointments with a list of questions written in my notes app or on a good old-fashioned piece of paper so I walk out of there feeling confident I got my questions addressed.  

You’ve likely already done some research when selecting your fertility doctor, or you’ve been referred by a friend or maybe you didn’t know where to start so you found a doctor near you through a fertility clinic locator. However you found your doctor, it’s important to ensure that you feel comfortable with their approach and that it’s a good fit for you overall.  

Here are a few questions to get you started on your list of questions to ask during that initial meeting.  

1. What testing is standard in your practice and is there any additional testing you would recommend based on my history?  
2. Please explain the tests- what is the procedure for each, what will the results tell you and will there be any recovery time associated? 
3. Can certain tests be done only during specific times of my cycle? If so, how many months are we looking at dedicating to just testing?  
4. There are various thoughts about both IUI’s and IVF. Can you please briefly explain your approach to IUIs and IVF?  
5. Let’s say the testing doesn’t give much of an indication of why we are having a difficult time conceiving. Is there a standard roadmap you typically follow for the various treatment options?  
6. What lifestyle and diet changes should I be making?  
7. Are there any other holistic or natural treatments that can be paired with fertility treatments that we should consider?  
8. What are the costs associated with testing, medication and each treatment? Do you offer financing or any packages? Do you discount subsequent cycles of treatment if the first one doesn’t work?  
9. Can you explain the different kinds of medications that are typically used? Any side effects? 
10. If I need to administer my own medication, will you or your staff show me how to do this?  
11. What if I have questions or am experiencing something abnormal outside of office hours? Do you have a 24-hour line to call?  
12. What if something important is happening in my cycle, like ovulation over the weekend? Do you have weekend hours?