Your First IVF Consultation: What to Expect

Walk in prepared and confident. Here's everything that happens at your initial fertility appointment and how to make the most of it.

📖 13 min read✅ Practical guide📅 Updated January 2025

📋 Quick Overview

  • First consultations typically last 45-90 minutes
  • Bring your complete medical history, previous test results, and questions
  • Expect discussion of your history, initial assessment, and recommended testing
  • Both partners should attend if possible
  • You won't start treatment immediately—testing and planning come first
  • The appointment is about gathering information, not making commitments

Walking into your first fertility consultation can feel overwhelming. You're stepping into unfamiliar territory with high emotional stakes. But here's the reassuring truth: this appointment is mostly about information gathering—yours and theirs. There are no needles at this visit, no procedures, just a conversation to understand your situation and map out potential next steps.

Many patients describe feeling nervous before the appointment and relieved afterward. Having a plan, even if it involves more testing, feels better than the uncertainty of not knowing. This guide will help you prepare so you can get the most out of your consultation.

Before Your Appointment: What to Gather

A little preparation goes a long way. The more information you can bring, the more productive your consultation will be. Gather these items in advance:

📁 Documents to Bring

  • Photo ID and insurance cards (if applicable)
  • List of all current medications, vitamins, and supplements with dosages
  • Previous fertility test results (blood work, ultrasounds, HSG reports)
  • Records from any prior fertility treatments (IUI, IVF, etc.)
  • Relevant medical records (surgeries, hospitalizations, chronic conditions)
  • Partner's semen analysis results (if already done)
  • Menstrual cycle tracking data (apps, charts, or notes)
  • List of questions you want to ask

📝 Information to Know

  • Length and regularity of your menstrual cycles
  • Date of your last menstrual period
  • How long you've been trying to conceive
  • Frequency of intercourse and timing relative to ovulation
  • Any previous pregnancies (including miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, terminations)
  • Family history of fertility issues, early menopause, or genetic conditions
  • Your typical ovulation signs (if you track LH, temperature, or cervical mucus)
  • Any chronic conditions, surgeries, or hospitalizations

💡 Pro Tip

Write down your questions beforehand and bring a notebook or use your phone to take notes during the appointment. In the moment, it's easy to forget what you wanted to ask, and you'll want to remember the doctor's answers later.

What Happens During the Consultation

Every clinic structures appointments slightly differently, but most first consultations follow a similar pattern:

1

Medical History Review (15-20 minutes)

The doctor will ask detailed questions about your menstrual history, sexual health, previous pregnancies (including any losses), surgeries, medications, and lifestyle factors. They may ask about topics that feel personal—frequency of intercourse, lubricant use, timing relative to ovulation. Be honest; there's no judgment, and accurate information helps them help you. This is purely clinical.

2

Partner History (10-15 minutes, if applicable)

Your partner's health matters too. They'll be asked about previous children, testicular surgeries or injuries, medications (especially testosterone or steroids), lifestyle factors, and any known fertility issues. If your partner can't attend, have them write down relevant medical history.

3

Physical Examination (Optional at first visit)

Some clinics perform a basic pelvic exam and transvaginal ultrasound at the first visit to check your uterus, ovaries, and count antral follicles. Others schedule this separately. The exam is similar to a routine gynecological exam. If an ultrasound is done, you'll see your ovaries on screen and the doctor may count resting follicles and note any visible issues.

4

Initial Assessment & Discussion (20-30 minutes)

Based on your history and any available test results, the doctor will share their initial thoughts on potential factors contributing to your difficulty conceiving. They'll explain different treatment options that might be appropriate for your situation—which could range from simple timed intercourse to IUI to IVF, depending on your diagnosis. This is a good time to ask questions and make sure you understand the rationale.

5

Testing Plan & Next Steps

You'll leave with a plan for diagnostic testing—blood work, imaging studies, semen analysis. The doctor will explain what each test reveals, when in your cycle it needs to be done, and how to schedule. You'll typically schedule a follow-up appointment to review results and finalize your treatment plan.

Common Tests They'll Recommend

For Women

For Men/Sperm Providers

⏰ Timing Matters for Some Tests

Several tests must be done on specific cycle days. FSH, LH, and estradiol are typically drawn on days 2-4 of your cycle. Antral follicle count ultrasound is best on days 2-5. HSG is usually done days 6-12 (after bleeding stops, before ovulation). The clinic will help you schedule appropriately based on where you are in your cycle.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

About Your Diagnosis

  • "Based on my history, what do you think might be causing our difficulty conceiving?"
  • "What tests do you recommend and why?"
  • "Are there any red flags in my history that concern you?"
  • "Is there anything we should do or avoid while waiting for test results?"

About Treatment Options

  • "What treatment do you recommend for someone in my situation and why?"
  • "What are the success rates for someone with my diagnosis and age?"
  • "Are there less invasive options we should try first?"
  • "How many treatment cycles might we need?"

About the Process

  • "What does a typical treatment timeline look like?"
  • "How often will I need to come in for monitoring?"
  • "What are the risks and side effects I should know about?"
  • "How do you handle complications if they arise?"

About Costs & Logistics

  • "What are the costs for testing and treatment?"
  • "What's included in the quoted price? What's extra?"
  • "Do you offer payment plans or financing?"
  • "How quickly can we get started once testing is complete?"

Virtual vs. In-Person Consultations

Many clinics—especially those serving international patients—offer virtual initial consultations. This can be an excellent way to get started:

Virtual First Consultation

In-Person Later

For patients considering treatment in Colombia, a virtual consultation lets you "meet" your doctor, understand the plan, and get comfortable before investing in travel. Many patients complete initial testing at home, then travel only when they're ready to begin treatment.

What NOT to Expect

Managing expectations helps reduce anxiety:

After Your Consultation

You'll typically leave with:

The testing phase typically takes 2-4 weeks, depending on your cycle and test scheduling. Then you'll have a follow-up appointment to review all results together and finalize your treatment plan.

💚 Take Your Time

You don't have to commit to anything at the first visit. It's perfectly acceptable to go home, process the information, do your own research, discuss with your partner, and even get a second opinion before deciding on a treatment path. Good clinics respect this and won't pressure you.

First Consultation in Colombia

For international patients, Colombian clinics typically offer accommodations that make the process seamless:

Many patients complete their initial consultation virtually, do baseline testing at home, then travel to Colombia for treatment—minimizing time away while maximizing efficiency.

Ready for Your First Step?

Book a free virtual consultation with our partner clinics. No pressure, no commitment—just answers to your questions and a clear picture of your options.

Schedule Free Consultation

You've Got This

The first consultation is simply a starting point—a chance to gather information and begin understanding your path forward. You're taking control of your fertility journey, and that takes courage.

Whatever the outcome of testing, you'll have answers. And with answers comes the ability to make informed choices about your next steps. Knowledge is power in this process, even when the information isn't what you hoped to hear.

Remember: millions of people have sat in that same consultation chair feeling exactly as you do. And many of them went on to build the families they dreamed of. This is just the beginning. 💙

Related Reading

🧪 Fertility Testing Guide 📊 Understanding AMH 💰 IVF Cost Comparison 🏥 Choosing a Clinic