What to Expect During Your First Visit to the Fertility Clinic

Deciding to meet with a fertility specialist is a big step on the journey to parenthood. It's normal to feel a little anxious before getting started, but don't worry. Fertility treatments are fairly common, with 33 percent of adults saying they or someone they know has used some sort of fertility treatment.

Here's an outline of what the process looks like.

Before meeting the doctor

Many fertility clinics offer a consultation before any testing or treatments. At your consultation, you'll meet with a nurse or office manager to review your options, address any concerns and discuss logistics, including planning for payment.

The initial consultation is your chance to ask questions and determine whether you feel the clinic and staff are a good fit for your needs. Finding a supportive environment should be a priority when navigating this highly personal and sensitive issue. Trust your intuition and look for a facility where you'll feel heard and respected.

The information you'll need

Your fertility care provider will ask for information about your and your partner's medical histories. Be sure to share relevant demographics and health information, such as past pregnancies, fertility treatments, surgeries, conditions, family history and medications.

Lifestyle factors such as physical activity, sexual behavior, smoking, alcohol use and eating habits can all play a role in fertility and should be discussed as part of your initial evaluation. Providing a medical release form or forwarding your medical records will make it easier to integrate fertility treatments with your overall health plan.

Diagnostic testing

Both male and female partners will undergo a physical exam and testing to determine the full scope of factors contributing to infertility. Multiple issues are often responsible for preventing pregnancy, so your doctor won't want to rule anything out until all the information is available.

Expect to do the following types of testing:

• Genetic testing
• Genital exam
• Hormone testing (through a blood test)
• Semen analysis
• Ultrasounds
• X-ray of the uterus (called hysterosalpingography)

As the patient, you should understand the purpose of any testing and procedures you're asked to complete. Your fertility care provider must be willing to provide all the information necessary to help you feel comfortable and enable you to take an active role in decisions related to your treatment. Don't be afraid to ask questions or voice any concerns you might have.

Procedures & treatments in the office and at home

Depending on the suspected cause (or causes) of infertility, your provider may suggest a few options. When deciding how to proceed, many couples consider various aspects of treatment, including the success rate, cost, invasiveness and timeline. If you're eager to become pregnant right away, you may be more open to invasive options with higher success rates. For couples who don't mind waiting or want to start with a lower-cost option, less invasive treatments (such as certain oral medications) may be a better option for you.

You and your partner will probably do some follow-up visits at the clinic individually and together. You may be required to travel to a separate lab for a semen analysis, bloodwork or imaging tests. Some hormone treatments involve injections and may need to be performed at home leading up to an exam or procedure (such as egg retrieval or embryo placement). You'll be given instructions, along with a video to watch or a pamphlet to read, to ensure you know how to administer the medication correctly.

Help is out there

Your first trip to the fertility clinic may leave you with a range of emotions from fear to excitement about what's to come. Remember, infertility affects millions of couples around the world. Fortunately, with advances in assisted reproductive technology (ART), there are many avenues to explore as you aim to have a child.