How to Prepare for Your First Fertility Doctor Appointment: What to Ask & What to Expect

Written By Lora Shahine, MD

How can you make the most out of your first fertility visit? What should you bring? What should you be prepared to talk about? And what questions can help you leave the consultation feeling informed, prepared, and confident about your next steps?

In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine explains how to prepare for an initial fertility consultation, whether you are trying to conceive, experiencing recurrent miscarriage, exploring egg freezing or embryo freezing, considering IVF, or looking for inclusive family-building options. 

She shares which medical records to send ahead of time, what health and reproductive history your doctor may ask about, and why partners are encouraged to participate in the appointment when possible.

Dr. Shahine also reviews possible fertility treatment options, from ovulation medications and IUI to IVF, donor eggs, donor sperm, and gestational surrogacy, and offers five essential questions to ask before leaving your first fertility specialist appointment.

In this episode you’ll hear:

  • [2:36] Why See a Specialist

  • [8:12] Send Records Early

  • [9:44] What To Bring (hint: lists of things you don’t want to forget)

  • [11:42] What Doctors Ask

  • [14:25] Testing Overview

  • [19:40] Treatment Options

  • [22:09] Five Questions To Ask

  • [24:48] Next Steps

Dr. Shahine’s Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations

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This episode was produced by Audiotocracy Podcast Production.

Lora Shahine, MD

Dr. Lora Shahine, reproductive endocrinologist at Pacific NW Fertility and Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Washington in Seattle, completed her residency in OBGYN at the University of California in San Francisco and fellowship in reproductive endocrinology at Stanford University. She is dedicated to educating and advocating for increased awareness of infertility, miscarriage, and the impact on environmental toxins on health through an active social media presence, teaching, clinical research, and authoring multiple blogs and books including best selling, ‘Not Broken: An Approachable Guide to Miscarriage and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss.’

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