Introduction
If you have a fertility consult coming up, do not walk in without these five questions. Appointments go by so fast. You sit down, they talk, you nod… and before you know it you are left with so many more questions than you came in with. So here are five questions to bring on your phone or a piece of paper:
Question 1: 'Given my age and my medical history, what are my chances with this plan?'
Everyone's bodies, medical history, and fertility timeline are different. It's important to know what your specific chances are with the particular plan presented by the doctor, given their experience and expert opinion, and decide whether that fits within your timeline, expectations, and circumstances.
Question 2: ‘What are the other options, and why are you recommending this one first?’
In medicine, it's all about benefits, risks, and alternatives. Knowing your options means you are informed and empowered to make decisions that will enable you to have the ideal fertility journey for you.
Question 3: ‘How will we know if this plan isn’t working, and what’s our next step?’
Fertility treatments aren't straightforward. On top of that, progress depends as much on your body's response as your expectations. Depending on what you are looking for—be it getting pregnant within a certain timeframe, number of eggs or embryos frozen, how many cycles you're willing to go through, or how much money you have to finance the treatments—you may want to pivot as soon as the current plan isn't working for you.
Question 4: ‘What side effects should I expect, and which ones mean I should call you or come in?’
Fertility treatments can take a physical toll on our bodies, especially those that require us to inject ourselves with hormonal medications. Side effects vary from mild and irritating to severe and life-threatening. Knowing what warning signs to look out for will save you a lot of mental stress and avoidable health complications down the line.
Question 5: ‘What can I do outside the clinic—lifestyle, support, mental health—that can be helpful to boost my chances and optimise my cycle?’
It's not all about what goes on inside the walls of the clinic. There are many things you can and should be doing to improve your chances. Your doctor can guide you towards the best lifestyle modifications for your particular circumstances and health status.
Conclusion
You do not have to remember all of this in your head. Save this list to bring to your first fertility consultation appointment.
- 'Given my age and my medical history, what are my chances with this plan?'
- ‘What are the other options, and why are you recommending this one first?’
- ‘How will we know if this plan isn’t working, and what’s our next step?’
- ‘What side effects should I expect, and which ones mean I should call you or come in?’
- ‘What can I do outside the clinic—lifestyle, support, mental health—that can be helpful to boost my chances and optimise my cycle?’
