Ask Mary: What to Expect at Your First Fertility Appointment

Whether you have made your first fertility appointment or are still researching your options, knowing what to expect at your first appointment will help you feel prepared. What types of tests will be done? What questions should you ask? How much will this all cost?

While every fertility patient is unique, there are some similarities to what you can expect at your first appointment at Fertility Centers of New England. To help you feel empowered as you get started, we’ll be answering some of the most frequently asked questions patients have for our patient concierge, Mary.

Common Questions About Your First Fertility Appointment

How can I prepare for my appointment?

Knowing exactly where you are in your fertility journey is key to getting started. By using our patient portal, you can provide the needed information about you and your history, as well as your partner, if applicable. This allows you to send any information about your insurance coverage and benefits so we can determine what coverage you may qualify for before you come in. When the time comes to meet with your fertility specialist, you should have the answers to questions like:

• What has your journey been like so far?
• What does your future family look like?
• Any other values or goals that are important to you when it comes to receiving care?

This will put your goals and needs at the forefront of the decision-making process. 

Who will I meet with? What kind of questions can/should I ask?

During your first appointment, you’ll meet with one of our expert, Board-certified doctors, allowing you to know right from the start who will be in charge of your care. From there, you’ll be introduced to your care team, which will consist of the same nurses throughout your entire treatment so you can be sure to always have a familiar face working alongside you.

When it comes to asking questions, you should ask any and all you have. The goal of this appointment is to make you feel comfortable and confident before starting fertility treatment. We want to support you and will offer any guidance that you need! 

What types of tests will be done during this beginning phase?

This is based on the types of services that you will be receiving. Your doctor will work with you to determine necessary tests, and your dedicated care team will work with you to schedule the appointments.

A fertility evaluation can consist of various tests and typically takes one completed monthly cycle. In general, the types of tests you may go through include:

• Blood work
• Ultrasounds
• Semen analysis
• Cycle monitoring
• A uterine structural study
• An endometrial biopsy to detect any inflammation in the uterine cavity
• Identifying and treating any problems in the uterine or pelvic cavity

Your doctor will be able to take a holistic look at your needs and goals using the results of these tests, as well as any information you provided during your initial consultation and/or through the patient portal. We’ll be able to see what may be causing challenges when it comes to getting pregnant and figure out the best way to overcome them.

Does my partner need to be there with me?

Your partner should come with you if any diagnostic testing is needed. For example, if you have a male partner who plays an active role in your fertility care, he may need to undergo bloodwork and a semen analysis.

What treatment options are available? How will I know which one is right for me?

Your doctor will work with you to determine what treatment option is right for you based on your fertility evaluation and the goals you two discussed during your initial consultation. Fertility Centers of New England offers a wide range of options, including:

• In vitro fertilization (IVF)
• Ovulation induction
• Intrauterine induction (IUI)
• Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
• Frozen embryo transfer (FEI)
• Assisted hatching (AHA)
• Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT)
• Egg donation
• Gestational carrier
• Tubal ligation reversal
• Oncofertility

Whatever plan your doctor recommends will be customized for you. There will also be flexibility in your treatment options so that you’re always on the right path. This means you may start with one treatment and either incorporate it or switch to another to maximize the chances of becoming pregnant.

What payment options are available?

The most common questions we receive are around paying for treatment, and that’s why we’ve tried to make that aspect of fertility care as stress-free as possible. Our staff will help you understand what payment options are available, whether that be from your insurance coverage or self-pay financing. For those using self-pay options, we can walk you through available programs such as:

• CapexMD 
• IVF Assist
• IVF Select

If you have any questions about these or any other programs available, you can reach out to us any time.

Schedule Your Fertility Consultation

If you have any additional questions about what to expect at your first fertility appointment or about your options; please contact us for an initial consultation. We will be here to help you throughout your entire fertility journey.