What Happens When You See a Infertility Doctor?

For most of us, heading to any doctor’s office – especially when we know there’s a problem – is never an easy thing to do. As a matter of fact, a reaction for many people is to avoid seeking a doctor’s help altogether, intent on not facing the realty of what might be wrong with us.

There’s no doubt that taking the first step towards seeing a fertility doctor can be a tough one. As much as the potential patient (be it a woman or a couple) wants to get pregnant, facing the facts about why it’s been so difficult to conceive is not only tough but can be life-altering. No wonder the fear is present!

But a lot of that initial fear can disappear with a little education about the process. If you know what happens when you go to an infertility doctor, you can relax a little and recognize the fact that the doctor you‘re about to see understands your pain and your trepidation and is poised to do everything he/she can do to help you in your goal of become a mother/parents to your own biological child.

Getting Started with an Infertility Doctor

Your first visit to an infertility doctor shouldn’t be scary or intimidating…and we make sure of that. Think of it as a consultation. We’ll learn about you and you’ll gather some information about us as well. We want to make sure we’re a good fit for you and are eager to answer your questions about not only what’s ahead but also about us and our practice. Come with your queries and we’ll have answers you can take home with you!

At that initial appointment, we’ll want to know some things about your medical history, too. If you have records you want us to see or medical struggles you want to tell us about, this will be the time to do it. Any of this type of information will help us determine how to proceed, and the sooner we have it, the more quickly we can move.

Moving forward

After that initial appointment, your fertility doctor will likely order some tests for you and, if applicable, your male partner as well. Fertility testing is essentially in knowing how to proceed with treatment and what steps to take that could lead you to conception.

The most common tests ordered include:

● Imaging tests such as a pelvic ultrasound to detect uterine or ovarian disease, or a sonohysterogram, which provides an even closer look at the uterus.

● Hysterosalpingography, which evaluates the uterus and fallopian tubes and can detect blockages and other problems.

● Ovulation testing, such as a blood test to measure hormone levels. (Applicable for both sexes)

● Other kinds of hormone testing

● Semen analysis for the male partner

● Genetic testing

Choosing treatment options

Once we’ve gathered all that we need to know, it’ll be time to sit down again and have a frank discussion about the best way to proceed. We’ll be honest in our evaluation and expect that you’ll be honest with us about your feelings and fears.

Because we’re thorough in our evaluations, you can expect that our recommendations will provide you with the best chance of becoming pregnant. If we believe you won’t be able to conceive, we’ll talk to you about your other options as well.

For infertility doctors, the most important thing we do is develop trusting relationships with our patients. Once that’s achieved, what comes after is made easier as a result. For more information about our practice or to schedule a first visit, contact Advanced Reproductive Medicine at (732) 339-9300.