When you walk into your first appointment with a fertility doctor, you take a step toward a pivotal moment on your path to becoming a mommy. It’s an appointment that’s not just about your medical history and clinical evaluations; it’s also about your personal journey, dreams, and aspirations. Your fertility doctor will take you through each process of fertility assessments and treatments. They will ask you a series of questions, delving right into various aspects of your health and lifestyle to be able to provide you with the treatment that will give you the best possible chances of conceiving. Being ready to answer these questions is not just about sharing information but about taking control of your fertility journey.
If you have read my other posts, you probably think I sound like a broken record when I say this…
I have been where you are right now and I wish I had been more prepared to answer these questions!! So, think of this as a heads up for the pop quiz you are going to be taking here soon. 🙂
In this helpful guide, I will share with you the essential questions you can anticipate from your fertility doctor at your first appointment and how being prepared can empower you on the path to achieving your family-building goals. So let’s get started. ♥
1. Medical History
Okay, I get it, this one seems pretty obvious but I can’t NOT have it included… right!?
Your doctor is going to ask you a little about everything. Below are a few of the main medical topics your doctor is going to ask you about and I’m going to tell you how that relates to our fertility health.
- Diabetes – Can disrupt your hormones
- STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) – If not treated correctly, STDs can reduce fertility and increase the risk of ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages
- Thyroid Disease – Both Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism can effect ovulation
- Irregular Pap Smear – Can indicate an imbalance in hormone levels
2. lifestyle and allergies
Certain lifestyle choices can positively effect your fertility but that also means that certain lifestyle choices can negatively effect fertility. Your doctor will want to know lifestyle choices such as:
- Weight – being overweight or underweight can negatively impact fertility
- Smoking – women who smoke can have a hard time conceiving
- Alcohol – may lead to infertility and drinking during pregnancy could cause birth defects
- Recreational Drug Use – drugs such as marijuana or cocaine can interfere with ovulation and could possibly effect the ability for your fallopian tubes to function properly **Not a ton of research has been done on the use of marijuana and fertility. BE HONEST! I spoke with my doctor recently about marijuana and fertility and he is the one who told me not much research has been performed so it is best to just stay away when trying to conceive. That goes for your partner as well.
3. Know your last period
If you don’t track your period yet, this is the time to start. Your doctor is going to want know when your most recent cycle ended. They will follow that up with, how long do they last and are they regular? Irregular cycles can be signs of infertility.
I was never good about tracking my period. I don’t know why, but it was never something I did. Once we started trying for a baby, I started tracking my period.
Whether it is on your phone or you’re old school put it on a physical calendar, start now! I use the iPhone Health App. but their are so many options. Here is a short list of options you can try out today.
- iPhone Health App
- Flo
- Cycles Period & Cycle Tracker – not available for android
- Clue Period Tracker & Calendar
4. do you track your ovulation?
If you have been tracking your ovulation then you (and your doctor) will know if you are actually ovulating or not. This is just another way your doctor can help determine the right treatment for you.
When you test to see when you are ovulating, you are actually looking for high LH levels. LH stands for Luteinizing Hormone which indicates that an egg is getting ready to release.
Now that you are tracking your cycle (#3 above), you can predict when you are going to need to start testing for ovulation. Your cycle tracking app will give you a range of days which typically occur in the middle of your cycle.
If you have never tested for ovulation, no worries, the instructions on the packaging are super simple to follow. Here are some tips for testing for ovulation:
- Start testing 3-5 days before your predicted ovulation date
- Follow the instructions on the packaging
- Second morning pee is best (myth maybe but that’s what I did haha)
- Try and test at the same time each day
- Continue testing until you get a positive test
Below are links to 3 different (and easy to use) ovulation tests that you can purchase. I use The Modern Fertility Ovulation Test.
5. how long have you and your partner been trying?
You might have infertility problems if:
If you are younger than 35 and have been trying for at least a year
If you are older than 35 and have been trying for at least 6 months
6. Pregnancy and Miscarriage history
Knowing whether or not you have been pregnant before (being successful or suffering a miscarriage) helps the doctor understand more about your fertility. For one, it tells the doctor that you can, in fact, get pregnant. YAY good news!
But, your doctor is also directing this question towards your partner. Has your partner ever gotten someone else pregnant? *Personal suggestion, this might be something you talk about before your appointment 🙂
Remember, while it will seem like this whole process is about you (and not in a good way, we are the ones getting poked in every which way it feels like) this is just as much about your partner’s fertility.
Fact Time: Did you know that women who have successfully carried and delivered a healthy little bundle of joy but are struggling to have their second baby could be suffering from Secondary Infertility. On average, in the United States, 11% of couples have trouble conceiving after a previous successful pregnancy.
7. Do you have pain during intercourse?
Painful sex can be a sign of underlying health issues. Factors that could effect your fertility and explain why you are having pain during sex are conditions such as Endometriosis, PCOS, and Adhesions (scar tissue).
I feel obligated to say that just because you are having pain during sex does not always mean you have infertility. This is why we are here ladies, to figure all this fun stuff out! It could just come down to changing positions. Regardless, talk to your doctor about it. This is NO time to be shy. Ain’t no shame in no ones game ♥
Bonus tip!
Bring all the medications and supplements you are currently taking. Find out NOW what you can and can not be on. Then you can start talking to your physician about finding alternatives that are safe for pregnancy. This is especially important for those psychiatric meds. Yeah… HI that’s me ♥
The goal of your consult appointment is to give your doctor everything they need to personalize a treatment just right for you and your partner. Come prepared and you could save a couple bucks on tests as well.
Let me know in the comments what your doctors asked you in your consult appointment. Would love to hear your thoughts about what cycle tracking apps you use or what ovulation tests you prefer.
Disclaimer: I am not a licensed medical professional, and the information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any medical concerns or questions.
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